Chateau guide

The medieval fortress of Beynes, the jewel of the Yvelines, has been linked to Diane de Poitiers.

A medieval fortress of the Yvelines, Beynes Castle hides a centuries‑old history and an unexpected link to Diane de Poitiers. Just 30 km from Paris, in the heart of this Yvelines town, its ruins—listed as a Historic Monument—are open to visits year‑round in Beynes. We set out to explore the site on a short break and now reveal a portion of its secrets.

In Val-d'Oise, this estate hides two castles and free activities year-round.

The Villarceaux estate, open to the public free of charge in Chaussy, Val d'Oise (95), houses two classified châteaux set in a 70-hectare park and offers, through November 2026, a program of free activities: concerts, night-time strolls, performances and nature. We went to explore the site and here’s everything.

This Pompadour-era château in the Yvelines hides a superb estate and a Japanese garden.

Few people know the Château de La Celle-Saint-Cloud, in Yvelines, which hosts a 23-hectare estate featuring a Japanese garden, contemporary sculptures, and a classified park. For Rendez-vous aux Jardins 2026, we headed out to discover this hidden historical treasure that’s well worth a stroll.

This historic château in Essonne, now the town hall, hides a remarkable botanical park that’s free to visit.

In Lardy, the castle park—now the town hall—runs along the Juine for six hectares and features remarkable century-old trees in Essonne, freely accessible year-round. We treated ourselves to a quick outing to reveal this surprising green space and its castle.

Essonne: a château with remarkable gardens you absolutely must discover to go green

The Domaine de Courson, a château classified as a Historic Monument and a park labelled Jardin Remarquable in Courson-Monteloup, Essonne, opens its doors to visitors until November 1. Now is the time to discover its sublime green spaces and, perhaps, delve into the castle’s history through a guided tour.

Château-Musée de Nemours : discover this little-known medieval fortress, a unique gem in Île-de-France

Rare urban medieval castle in Île-de-France, the Château-Musée de Nemours reopened its doors this April with the exhibition "Paysages d'eau" ("Water Landscapes"), just a stone's throw from the Loing, its free-access gardens, and a Natura 2000–listed island. It’s the transportive discovery that’s well worth the detour.

Yvelines: the little-known château that inspired Ronsard and Cézanne is open to visitors!

Nestled on the banks of the Seine in Médan, Yvelines, the Château de Médan is a former hunting lodge listed as a Historic Monument, a site whose history weaves together poetry, painting and royal intrigues. The château is open to visitors once a month, for group bookings, or on special occasions such as Open Gardens or Heritage Days—we’ve got the full details.

The Château d'Auvers-sur-Oise, the Impressionist treasure and its program

Discover the Château d'Auvers-sur-Oise and its sublime English gardens. Throughout the year, exhibitions and events focusing on Impressionism await you.

This historic castle hides a renowned recording studio that has hosted rock legends and is now set to be reborn.

Behind the tranquil facades of Hérouville Castle in Val-d’Oise lies one of the most legendary recording studios of the 1970s and 1980s. A unique site where historic heritage and rock legends intertwine, now at the heart of a redevelopment project slated for 2027.

The Museum of National Archaeology - Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye

The Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, high up in the Yvelines, was one of the royal residences of François I. Today, it houses the national archaeology museum. Today, it houses the Musée d'Archéologie Nationale, with over 29,000 objects on display!

Château de Chantilly, visit the château, museums and park

The Château de Chantilly, a jewel of French heritage, encompasses not only a magnificent château, but also a huge park, the Musée Condé and the Grandes Ecuries, where you'll also find the Musée du Cheval.

The Château de la Reine Blanche, a curiosity to discover for free in the 13th arrondissement - photos

A castle in the heart of Paris? In the 13th arrondissement of Paris, hidden from view, a royal manor house has been in hiding since the end of the 13th century. And you can discover it for free with guided tours until September!

The Château de Monte-Cristo, Alexandre Dumas' hidden and unusual home

Discover the Château de Monte-Cristo, the residence imagined by the writer Alexandre Dumas. Set in an English garden on the Saint-Germain-en-Laye side of the Yvelines region, this exuberantly styled 19th-century château and its small Château d'If (Yew Castle) are waiting to be discovered. We take you on a tour of this hidden heritage, listed as a historic monument.

Château de Méridon in the Vallée de Chevreuse: a new showcase for gastronomic events

Château de Méridon, the jewel in the crown of the Vallée de Chevreuse in the Yvelines, is reinventing itself. After major renovation work, a new direction focused on experiences awaits us. So, in addition to weddings and other private events, the Château is launching star-studded dinners and brunches for you to discover.

The Château and estate of Courances and its superb gardens

The Domaine et Château de Courances, located in the Gâtinais region of Essonne (91), is a wonderful place to discover. Classified as a Historic Monument and Remarkable Garden, this site welcomes you every weekend and public holiday from April to early November. We take you on a tour of this verdant haven of peace.

The Perfumer's Garden, the garden of the Château de Versailles and the House of Francis Kurkdjian

The park at Versailles is home to a little-known garden: "Le Jardin du Parfumeur". Under the patronage of Francis Kurkdjian, the plot envelops the Trianon estate in an elegant floral fragrance.

The Château de Villandry and its extraordinary gardens

In the category of extraordinary gardens in France, we can't fail to mention the Jardins du Château de Villandry. This estate, located 2 hours by train and 2h30 by car from Paris, remains a must-see for lovers of grandiose heritage and sublime gardens.

The Château de Cheverny, its treasures and its 6 gardens to discover

The Château de Cheverny, classified as a historical monument and located 2 hours from Paris, reveals superb gardens and animations. With its domain of nearly 100 hectares, Cheverny is an ideal breath of fresh air for weekends and holidays: you will discover the famous castle of Tintin, but also very beautiful thematic gardens, a large park with trees and beautiful furnished rooms.