Photo : Amelie75007a / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
Maison natale - Musée de La Fontaine
Jean de La Fontaine's birthplace is a municipal museum in Château-Thierry, in the Aisne, set in a Renaissance mansion of 1559 within the old medieval ramparts. Built of dressed stone around a courtyard and a garden, it has been a listed historic monument since 1910. The poet's parents bought it in 1617 and kept it until 1676; La Fontaine spent his childhood and youth here.
Closed in June 2022 for a major renovation, the museum reopened in January 2026 with a route through nine rooms. It presents the man behind the fables, how his life in Château-Thierry and his circle fed his inspiration, and how his work has inspired artists since the 17th century. Highlights include his study and the small salon devoted to his tales.
The garden, bordered by the rampart and a tower, is free to enter. Guided tours and educational workshops are offered.
