It has towered over the town for nearly nine centuries, perched like a stone sentinel. The Guinette Tower, the former royal keep of Étampes, will reopen its doors to the public in September 2026, during Heritage Days. Closed since 2018 for safety reasons, this iconic monument of the Essonne region is finally emerging from a lengthy restoration project. And you’ll see—it’s spectacular!
A Capetian keep in the heart of Île-de-France
Built in the early 12th century on the orders of King Louis VI the Fat, the Guinette Tower was the centerpiece of a vast royal castle. At that time, Étampes occupied a major strategic position on the commercial and political route linking Paris to the southern part of the kingdom. The keep alone embodied the royal authority and defensive power of the site.
Originally about thirty meters tall, the tower was used to observe, protect, and defend the surrounding area in the event of a siege. But over the centuries, this historic site was gradually dismantled… Only the tower remained standing. It is now the sole visible remnant of this prestigious royal past.
The medieval tower’s reopening is being celebrated with free events
After several years of restoration work, the Guinette Tower will celebrate its reopening during Heritage Days on September 19 and 20, 2026, with a weekend of entirely free activities. The event will be a rare opportunity to (re)discover this little-known piece of our heritage, which has long been inaccessible.
Location: 1 Promenade de Guinette, 91150 Étampes
Date: December 19–20
Price: free