The Orville archaeological site

This research has allowed researchers to reconstruct the likely layout of the fortified castle and to discover a significant collection of objects, such as a metal weathervane and the chain from the drawbridge. Guided tours of the site offer visitors the opportunity to learn about the work of archaeologists, the remains of the siege, and also, through reconstructions, the daily activities of peasants in the Île-de-France region during the early Middle Ages.

40 YEARS OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL RESEARCH
The Roissy Pays de France urban community has owned several plots of land comprising the Orville archaeological site in Louvres since 2006. Part of the ARCHÉA intercommunal museum network, the site is located approximately 900 meters from the museum, on the site of the former castle of the lords of Orville and Aunay. Known for a long time, it was the subject of occasional exploratory surveys in the 1970s, followed by roadworks for the nearby Francilienne highway. Since 2000, planned excavations have been carried out annually, under the scientific direction of François Gentili (Inrap), to understand the castle and the stages of its destruction.

To learn more about the site's history: https://archea.roissypaysdefrance.fr/quest-quarchea/le-site-dorville/historique-le-chateau-dorville-et-sa-decouverte

SITE ENHANCEMENT
Since 2012, alongside the excavations carried out each summer, a volunteer restoration project has been initiated on the site to consolidate and facilitate the conservation of certain elements of the fortress. It was initially carried out in partnership with the association Chantiers Histoire et Architectures Médiévales (CHAM) and the youth services department of the Louvres town hall, and since 2018 by the association REMPART.
This archaeological site allows us to show the public archaeology in progress, but also to explain its present and past landscape environment.
Currently, the site can be visited by groups by appointment during the summer season, as well as by individual members of the public during national events (national archaeology days, European Heritage days).
ARCHÉA, which is in charge of the conservation and enhancement of the still visible remains, has undertaken development work since 2019 to allow their enhancement through the creation of pathways, an open-air theatre, but also the integration into a landscaped pedestrian pathway being developed along the Croult valley.