What to see in Nemours, the castle town in the heart of Île-de-France

Nemours is a charming town whose origins date back several centuries, known for being the only one in the Île-de-France region with a castle in the heart of its historic center . It's about an hour's train ride from Paris and is truly a little delight. It's no coincidence that Claudia Cardinale , who passed away on September 23, 2025, chose this tranquil location to spend the last years of her life, even establishing a foundation in her name.

Situated along the Loing River, the area where Nemours stands today was already inhabited in Gallo-Roman times, when it was known as Nemoracum . Archaeological remains from that period have been discovered nearby, testifying to the town's long history. Nemours was also a Medici duchy under Julian in 1515.

Thanks to its compact size and compact center, Nemours can easily be visited in a single day , making it the ideal destination for a day trip from the capital. Here are the things to see in Nemours , unmissable stops to include in your itinerary!

The castle-museum of Nemours

The highlight of Nemours is its imposing medieval castle , flanked by the Loing River on one side and the town on the other. Now a museum, it can be visited independently or by booking a guided tour, which will allow you access to a third of the castle, including the secret areas where prisoners were held until the 17th century.

The castle was built in the 12th century under Gautier I and looks like it came straight from a fairytale! Square in shape and with four distinct turrets, the fortification was actually built in three parts. During the French Revolution, the castle became property of the city and was used for various activities before being transformed into a museum. Interesting fact: the castle was built with the same stone as the Sacré-Coeur Basilica in Montmartre , Paris .

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Musée départemental de Préhistoire d'Île-de-France

For history buffs , Nemours has a museum dedicated to the life and development of human populations in this specific geographic area. Its collections are particularly significant because they document in detail the various phases of the Paleolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic, and Bronze Ages, all the way up to the Iron Age.

Inside, you can admire tools , remains of fauna and flora , models and reconstructions of prehistoric habitats and rock art objects.

The Claudia Cardinale Foundation and Le Picardeau

Nemours was one of Claudia Cardinale's lifelong destinations . She founded the Claudia Cardinale Foundation here, born from a desire to leave a tangible mark on the town that had welcomed her. The foundation's goal is to promote culture and cinema as tools for dialogue and inclusion, organizing festivals, exhibitions, and events that engage not only local audiences but also visitors from abroad.

Its headquarters are located in Le Picardeau , an elegant historic building surrounded by greenery, which offers spaces for exhibitions, meetings and cultural activities: a place where the memory of the Italian diva continues to live, intertwining with the life of the Nemourienne community.

The church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste

Also worth a visit is the church of Nemours, a magnificent example of 16th-century architecture . The bell tower-portico is the only part of the original structure still standing. Unfortunately, the first church was destroyed by fire (like many during the Middle Ages), and so the church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste was rebuilt during the 16th century and consecrated in 1595 .