Heritage castle guide

This former keep, the last vestige of a royal castle, will reopen to the public from September 2026.

The last remnant of the Château d'Étampes, the Guinette Tower sits at the heart of a renovation project aimed at reopening the ruin of this keep to the public. Here is the story of this endangered heritage, which will be rediscovered and accessible again in September 2026.

This Renaissance-era château and its mysteries are open to visitors near the Thoiry Zoo in the Yvelines.

Renowned for its vast wildlife park, the Thoiry estate also houses a Renaissance castle that is listed as a Historic Monument. Still inhabited by the same family for 13 generations, this little-known edifice is open on sunny days and reveals splendid salons and a wealth of archives.

This Renaissance-era château, renowned for its striking architecture, almost vanished.

With its moats, its soaring towers, and architecture inspired by the Loire Valley castles, the Château de Vigny has plenty to surprise explorers eager to discover the treasures of Île-de-France. Here’s the story of a historic masterpiece in peril and its rescue!

The Château d’Ormesson and its vast estate will open to the public for the first time this summer, 2026.

One of Val-de-Marne’s best-kept secrets reveals its treasures to the public this summer for the first time, from July 27 to September 4, 2026. The Château d'Ormesson, a 16th-century estate that has remained in the same family for generations, invites walkers to explore its historic grounds and its sumptuous interior.

In the Val d’Oise, this Italian-style garden, dominated by a Renaissance château, is a little-known treasure.

Few people know it, and yet it shelters a one-of-a-kind treasure in the Paris region. The Château d’Ambleville, a Renaissance masterpiece, unveils a stunning terraced Italian garden, classified and designated as a “Remarkable Garden.” We invite you to discover this secret gem of the Val d’Oise.

Hidden beneath the park of this château lies a remarkable icehouse, its origins dating back several centuries.

Beneath the castle’s park lies a rare underground icehouse, once used to store ice year-round. An astonishing relic that completes the estate’s story, perched between an 18th-century residence, a landscaped park, and everyday heritage.

With its Italian villa vibe, this château stands out in the heart of Île-de-France.

With brick and stone façades, turrets, loggias and terraces, this elegant residence looks straight out of a grand Italian Renaissance villa. Yet this setting is right here in Île-de-France, where it tells the story of a leisure estate nestled in a park that has been shaped for more than three centuries.

This Louis XIII-era château in the Yvelines is set to rise again after two years of work.

The restoration of Château de Plaisir, a Louis XIII jewel in Yvelines, enters the final stretch after two years of work. The historic monument and its 17th-century dovecote are gearing up to begin a new chapter of cultural life.

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.

This ruined castle is a striking remnant of the early Renaissance to be admired in the Paris region.

In Seine-et-Marne, ruins contribute to the charm of the town of Nantouillet. These are the remains of a Renaissance-era castle: here is its history.

Musée du Louvre: discover the artistic and tourist heart of the capital

The Musée du Louvre, one of the capital's must-see museums, promotes French and European culture through its many masterpieces on display, as evidenced by the 8 million visitors a year who come to contemplate the smile of the Mona Lisa or the fervor of Liberty Guiding the People. A place steeped in history, where art has been flourishing for two centuries already, to discover if you're staying in Paris!

The Villarceaux Estate and Its Two Castles

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 private medieval château in the Paris region has evolved over the centuries and is now open to visitors.

En Essonne, this exceptional château dating from the Middle Ages recounts more than six centuries of Île-de-France history. A medieval fortress turned pleasure residence, then a farm, this private estate is now open to visitors through tours.

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.

The château of Louis XIV’s secret wife, and where Vauban left his only unfinished aqueduct.

Less than an hour from Paris, the Château de Maintenon in Eure-et-Loir reveals the astonishing rise of Madame de Maintenon and the remnants of Vauban’s only civil project. We set off to explore this sublime château and its gardens, and we’ll tell you everything about this heritage treasure.

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.

Discovering the Château d'Écouen, a Renaissance jewel and national museum

Discover the Château d'Écouen, home to the National Museum of the Renaissance, just 20 kilometers from Paris. Delve into the history of this remarkable site and marvel at its unique collections.

The Château de Vaux le Vicomte and its gardens, a fabulous estate in Seine-et-Marne

The Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, 50 km from Paris, is one of the jewels of the Île-de-France region: its beauty even inspired the Château de Versailles. Come and visit this French heritage treasure, and its gardens, which offer great walks and activities for children.

This secret royal chapel is a true hidden gem tucked away in a château in Seine-et-Marne.

At the Château de Fontainebleau, in Seine-et-Marne, a royal chapel remains hidden from most visitors. The Lower Chapel of Saint-Saturnin, built under Francis I, only reveals itself on rare occasions — we tell you everything.

The Château de Malmaison, from residence to museum

The Château de Malmaison, located in Rueil-Malmaison in the Hauts-de-Seine region of France, is now home to the Napoleonic National Museum. During the French Revolution, Josephine Bonaparte acquired the property and it became the Palais Impérial de Malmaison, transforming it into the seat of government for a time.