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Paris is a dreamy destination. Enjoy waking up to fresh croissants and coffee, or roaming the idyllic streets of the city of love. But the châteaux in and around Paris are arguably what makes it the magical place that it is.
For those that don’t know exactly what a château (singular of châteaux) is, let’s start there. It’s a large French country house or castle with distinctive palatial features. Normally they were once inhabited by nobility or royalty, so you can only imagine how grand these buildings are.
From opulent structures and intricate interior finishes to immaculate grounds and gardens, you will be left in awe of these incredible châteaux spread across Paris.
Are you ready for a whimsical journey through the castles and palaces of Paris? Then let’s see exactly what it was like to live like a French royal centuries ago.
The Châteaux de Versailles is simply extraordinary. A symbol of royal influence and power, this palace gives its visitors a glimpse into French history. Millions of people swarm to this château in Paris, France each year. After the Eiffel Tower, it’s the most visited attraction in the country. Let’s take a look at what makes this place so special.
Just 20 km from Paris, this once royal residence was inhabited by the French monarchy for many years. From the gardens and park to the actual palace building and Marie Antionette’s estate – nothing was spared when creating this enchanting castle.
The château and grounds were the former hunting grounds of Louis XIII. The lavish palace saw refurbishments from three kings over 100 years until the French Revolution. Today, you can take a tour of the property and be wowed at every corner.
If you are visiting in the summer, Versailles hosts some exciting events. From April to October is the Musical Fountains Show and from June to September is the Fountains Night Show.
This jewel of French heritage is situated in the south of Paris and is another reflection of the country’s history. With fewer crowds than Versailles, it’s the perfect châteaux near Paris to go and explore just as much beauty and heritage. Occupied by Imperial and Royal lineages such as the Bourbons, the Valois, Philippe d’Orleans and Napoleon III, the palace has seen its fair share of sovereignties.
With so many different residents over the years, the château has seen many influences. Italian and French traditions mixed with medieval and Renaissance styles make this Paris castle the unique place it is.
There’s so much to see at the palatial residence. The four onsite museums are a good place to start once you have followed a guided tour through the residence. On the tour, you’ll see the 3 chapels on the châteaux property, the four courtyards, three gardens, and magnificent works of art and decorations that adorn the walls.
A listed historic monument, the Vaux-le-Vicomte is a mid-17th century masterpiece. Privately owned by the descendants of an art collector, Alfred Sommer since 1875, everything about the residence is pristine and elegant.
This castle near Paris was created and thought up by Nicolas Fouquet, the superintendent of finance for Louis XIV. He commissioned the best artists, architects, and landscape gardeners to create the splendour that you see today. The castle was so magnificent that Louis XIV became jealous and modelled the palace of Versaille after it, even commissioning all the same workmen to complete it.
While you are there, you should look in on the private apartments of Nicolas Fouquet. The grand kitchen and the mesmerizing 35 hectares of perfectly manicured gardens with water features and multi-coloured flowerbeds is also a must-see.
For an extra special visit to Vaux-le-Vicomte, enjoy one of the candlelight evenings at the château. These take place on Saturdays from May to October and it’s a guaranteed dreamy affair. 2000 candles light up the palace and grounds and a sumptuous dinner is served on the terrace – this is a real bucket-list experience.
Nestled within a lush forest on the outskirts of Paris, lies yet another luxurious French estate with a grand château. Also on the grounds, you’ll find the Condé Museum which houses France’s finest collection of paintings outside of the Louvre. Horse lovers will be in their element, seeing the stunning stables and Musée Vivant Cheval (Museum of the horse).
The Paris château itself is surrounded by water and has seen many noble residents over the years. A guided tour is the best way to explore the expansive grounds. This will include a visit to the Petit château, which was the residence of constables. It also takes you to an exquisite library that holds a Gutenberg Bible.
Stroll through the extensive grounds and discover the charming Hameau, which is a small “village” that was built in 1774. The village is even said to be the inspiration for Marie Antoinette’s village at Versailles.
Standing majestically in the heart of an 85-hectare park, 18 km east of Paris, you’ll find Château Champs-sur-Marne. The palace was built in the 18th century and has seen many noble Dukes and royalty as residents. It was privately bought in 1895 and then given to the state in 1935. Today, you can tour the opulent castle and gardens with a self-guided tour and headset.
As you wander through the grandeur, your eyes will be drawn to the rich furniture and exquisite art collections. Make sure you don’t miss the Chinese room, monochrome boudoir and smoking room, as these are some of the most gorgeous parts of the palace.
This leisure home for French royalty depicts the style of lavish living that only a select few will ever experience. From the immaculately sculpted park (the onsite garden) to the finest indoor finishes, it’s also no wonder that this elegant French symbol has been the set for countless movie scenes. This includes the films Marie Antionette and Jeanne Poisson, marquise de Pompadour.
All of these châteaux are symbols of French heritage and history. They represent the life of French nobility and leave us to marvel at the exquisite architecture, décor, art and gardens of bygone times.
All of these Paris castles, estates and châteaux guarantee a magical experience as you uncover the luxuries of France over many decades.
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