The 5 castles in Île-de-France that are (really) worth a visit
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Less than an hour from the capital, sometimes even right next door, five exceptional castles await the curious: Versailles and its Hall of Mirrors, Fontainebleau and its thousand years of royalty, Chantilly and its monumental stables, Vaux-le-Vicomte and its perfect symmetry, Vincennes and its record keep in Europe. Everyone has their own character, their own surprise, their own strong moment. All of them are accessible by public transport from Paris.
Whether you have half a day or a whole day ahead of you, here is our selection of the castles in Île-de-France that are really worth the trip, and how to get there easily.
On the program?
- The Palace of Versailles
- The Château de Fontainebleau
- The Château de Chantilly
- The Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte
- The Château de Vincennes
#1. Palace of Versailles: unmissable, inimitable... indisputable!
Yes, Versailles is an obvious choice. But have you ever thought about the abundant activity of the castle at the time of Louis XIV? In 1682, the Sun King moved his entire court from Paris to Versailles, forcing the French nobility to come and live with him. The castle became a small town in its own right!
Today, you can visit the Grand Apartments of the King and Queen, the Gallery of Battles, the famous Hall of Mirrors. The charm of these spaces built to impress foreign ambassadors still operates today.
On the outside, it is just as "modest" with grandiose games of perspectives. André Le Nôtre's landscaping still enchants visitors to the castle, with these statues and fountains designed to entertain the high society of the time. Definitely, a must-see!
How to get to the Palace of Versailles ?
Take the RER C to Versailles Château - Rive Gauche station, then a few minutes' walk.
#2. Château de Fontainebleau: far too many styles!
Fontainebleau is almost a thousand years of royalty, gathered in a single castle of 1500 rooms (yes: 1500!). Almost all the kings of France have slept there, hunted, reigned there... and left their personal touch!
First a medieval castle and then a Renaissance palace, the building and its decoration offer an astonishing journey through time. You stroll through classical and baroque inspirations, from one gallery to another. Why deprive yourself of such a compendium of history?
Let's not forget the estate, its lakes, gardens and forest, which extend just behind the castle and promise a full day of walking.
How to get to the Château de Fontainebleau ?
Take the R train line to the Fontainebleau-Avon station and then continue with a 20 to 30 minute walk or jump on bus 3401, direction "Les Lilas (Fontainebleau)", and simply get off at the "Château" stop.
#3. Château de Chantilly: the castle built for horses
As soon as we arrived, what a magical vision! The Château de Chantilly seems to float on the water: its moat and a large canal create a natural mirror that reflects the façade. Sublime French gardens will put you in good conditions for the visit.
What is special about the Château de Chantilly? The Great Stables, which steal the architectural show. A monumental eighteenth-century building, as impressive as the castle itself, which today houses the Living Museum of the Horse, with equestrian presentations.
And the Chantilly cream? Yes, she was born here. And yes, you can learn how to ride it during workshops on site.
How to get to the Château de Chantilly ?
Please note that the Château de Chantilly is not located in Île-de-France. And even if RER D takes you to Chantilly-Gouvieux station, your Navigo pass is not valid, you will have to buy a special ticket.
Once you arrive at the train station, the castle is a 30-minute walk away, a nice walk through the town of Chantilly (otherwise the DUC bus takes you there in 10 minutes).
#4. Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte: the castle that made Louis XIV jealous
This castle is a lesson in total coherence: building, gardens, ponds, alleys. Everything responds to the same logic of absolute symmetry. Some will tell you that it is even more beautiful than Versailles. We'll let you be the judge!
On August 17, 1661, Nicolas Fouquet, Superintendent of Finances, organized an inauguration party there so sumptuous - fireworks, gardens by Le Nôtre, a play by Molière created for the occasion, an excessive feast - that Louis XIV, a young king of twenty-two, saw it as a provocation rather than a tribute. Three weeks later, Fouquet was arrested by royal order and ended his days in prison. Vexed at having been surpassed, Louis XIV decided to build an even bigger, even crazier palace: Versailles.
To really grasp the geometry of the Vaux-le-Vicomte estate, climb up to the lantern at the top of the dome. The perspective on the gardens from up there reveals a pattern that is impossible to understand from the ground.
On Saturday evenings in summer, the castle can be visited by candlelight: 2,000 candles, no electric lights. Unforgettable...
How to get to the castle of Vaux-le-Vicomte ?
Take the R train line from Gare de Lyon to Melun station. From there, there are two options: the castle shuttle, for a fee and by reservation, or the 7701 bus (towards Carpooling) to the "Saint-Germain Laxis - RN36" stop. Allow about thirty minutes of walking on pretty country lanes to reach the castle.
#5. Château de Vincennes: a fortified castle 2 minutes from Paris
The Château de Vincennes is one of the best-preserved fortified castles in France, with a 52-metre medieval keep, the highest in Europe.
The interior of the keep can be visited level by level, with progressive views of Paris and the Bois de Vincennes. And the castle's Sainte-Chapelle is a 16th-century Gothic marvel with restored stained glass windows.
Still hesitating? Visualize the calm on site, and the direct access by metro.
How to get to the Château de Vincennes ?
Take metro line 1 to the Château de Vincennes terminus, then a 5-minute walk.