It was not until 1449 that Vernon finally became French again after having been controlled by England many times since its creation in the 10th century. Among its important heritage, the Tour des Archives is a vestige of a fortified castle built by King Philippe Auguste at the end of the 12th century. On the other side of the Seine, its counterpart, Fort des Tourelles, stands almost in line with the old medieval bridge and the mill. Alongside the Tour des Archives, the Jardin des Arts, designed by Elisabeth Moisan, runs along the ramparts.