During his ceremony of the wishes Thursday January 9, Sébastien Eugenethe mayor of Chateau-Thierryfirst gave the floor to Jean-Marc Pourcinethe municipal councilor delegated to heritagemuseums and tourism coordination. The opportunity for him to place in the spotlight the work carried out by the Heritage Department and its agents from the archaeological service, the medieval castle, as well as the Directorate of the Jean de la Fontaine museum and its team: “Our city, city of heritage , is rich in its history and traditions. »
Thus, the city is supporting Caves Pannier in their project to request protection as Historic Monuments. Since 1986, the poetic city has had a unique archaeological service in the department. His finds enrich the collective memory and fuel conferences, exhibitions and events.
But the big business of this year 2025 which is beginning is obviously the restoration of the Saint Crépin church for the 500th anniversary of its reconstruction.
500 years of Saint-Crépin church
From the top of the roofs of the Saint-Crépin church, currently under construction, 500 years of history overlook the city. It is the last church in the city to have survived. This is the major heritage project carried out by the city in 2025.
The church was built in the 12th century, but it was destroyed during the 100 Years’ War. Rebuilt from 1487, it was completed in 1525. This church notably saw Jean de La Fontaine be baptized there on July 8, 1621.
Classified as a historic monument in 1957, it was in September 2023 that the municipal council approved a budget of €974,000 excluding tax, 80% subsidized by the state, for the essential renovation of this building which sometimes dropped a few stones on the heads of those who passed too closely. The heritage foundation is launching a major donation operation. Generous patrons will receive various rewards: For €10, inscription of the donor’s name on the back of a new tile and donation of an old slate with the name written on it. For €20, in addition, a free entry to the Oisellerie du Château or the Nets dans les Arbres. For €150, in addition, a large format print of the archaeological survey of the facade before work. For €250, in addition, a book on the Saint-Crépin church signed and inscribed with the name of the donor on a commemorative plaque on the square. Companies are invited to participate at least up to €1,000 and thus have the name of the donor written on the back of a new tile, plus the name is written on a commemorative plaque in the square, plus an invitation to an educational performance privatized falconry.
Given the number of tiles on the building, there will be enough for the most important audience.
Medieval castle
The medieval castle, less and less buried under the shaggy vegetation which made it almost invisible in the past, becomes year after year the symbol of the highlighting of the Castel-Théodoric heritage. Every year, on average, no less than 14,500 visitors wander the ruins on the occasion of the Medievals, or to visit the bird shop which once wanted to compete with the Eagles of Provins, but which, even with the pugnacity of the deputy Krabal at the time never succeeded. The open-air cinema, the concerts in the dry moat, the old royal kitchens, the nets in the trees, the Casteloscope as well as the very pleasant Estaminet du château for a gourmet break, are all elements that regular visitors like those one day will be able to appreciate. “In 2023, it ranks for the second consecutive year among the top three most visited ticketing sites in Aisne,” indicated Jean-Marc Pourcine. The year 2025 will be marked by membership in a regional network, with the Espaces fortifies des Hauts-de-France association, when this medieval castle will be greened.
But the heritage of Château-Thierry is even more: the birthplace of Jean de La Fontaine which should reopen at the end of 2025 after very major work, the Hôtel-Dieu, and many other places to come and discover on site .
