Built between 1409 and 1411, the Hôtel de Bourgogne was once a hectare-wide complex where the Counts of Artois and later the Dukes of Burgundy resided. Though it has been reduced to a single tower called Tour Jean-sans-Peur (“Tower of John the Fearless”) standing in the courtyard of an elementary school today, it is considered one of the best-preserved remains of medieval Paris.
This particular tower contained bedchambers and a grand spiral staircase, with intricate sculptural details carved on it. The upper chamber, possibly used as a guardroom, was located right under the wooden frame of the roof and lit by five windows. Impressively, some of the original timber frameworks still survive to this day.
Throughout its long history, the tower has been either abandoned or used for assorted purposes, from almshouse to lodging, cabaret to hardware workshop. It was not until the late 19th century that its heritage was properly recognized; the City of Paris purchased it in 1874, designated it as a historic site in 1884, and restored it in 1893.
Major restoration work was carried out in 1991-1992 and the historic tower finally opened to the public in 1999. Though it is one of the least-visited historic monuments of Paris and the exhibits inside are of small scale, it’s worth a visit for those seeking something much older than the Louvre or Versailles.
