Chateau de Coucy

The Stone Giant at the Gateway to Picardy Proudly overlooking the Ailette Valley in the Aisne department, the Château de Coucy is one of the most spectacular testaments to feudal power in the Middle Ages. Built in the 13th century by Enguerrand III, a baron so powerful he defied royal authority, the castle was once flanked by the tallest keep in Christendom, reaching a height of 54 meters before its destruction in 1917. Today, its majestic ruins and 28 towers spread across a 2-kilometer perimeter still impress with their sheer scale. Wandering through this fortress is to delve into the history of the Coucy lineage, whose motto, "I am neither king, nor prince, nor duke, nor count; I am the lord of Coucy," perfectly encapsulates their boundless ambition. A visit to this site, managed by the Centre des Monuments Nationaux, allows you to explore a maze of curtain walls, vaulted cellars, and high ramparts that offer breathtaking views of the medieval town of Coucy-le-Château-Auffrique. Recent restoration work provides a better understanding of medieval military engineering and the organization of a prestigious lordly court. Between hanging gardens and archaeological remains, the Château de Coucy is not just a romantic ruin; it's an open-air history book, ideal for a cultural getaway less than two hours from Paris.