The free château visits on the first Sunday of the month take on a different feel as winter arrives. On this Sunday, November 1, 2026, All Saints’ Day, several châteaux in Île-de-France are opening their doors without an admission ticket, from Yvelines (78) to Seine-et-Marne (77), via Val-de-Marne (94), Hauts-de-Seine (92) and Val-d'Oise (95). Outside Île-de-France, two more await us just beyond the region, in Compiègne and Pierrefonds, in Oise (60).
Over the course of our visits, we’ve got into the habit of looking out for this November changeover. For free museums and monuments, it’s when the calendar turns the page: national monuments, which have charged admission since spring, rejoin the list through March. So you can once again visit the châteaux of Vincennes, Rambouillet, Champs-sur-Marne, Fontainebleau and Maisons-Laffitte without spending a penny. The Palace of Versailles, however, follows a different schedule: its free first Sundays don’t resume until December, so it still charges admission on November 1.
For your enjoyment, your culture and that of your children, make the most of these heritage treasures on the last day of the All Saints’ Day school holidays. Accessible by public transport for some and by car for others, these castles are perfect for an autumn stroll, from the medieval keep at Vincennes to the Renaissance salons at Écouen. A seasonal great deal to slot in between two of the week’s low-cost outings.
A few things to bear in mind before setting off. The Villarceaux estate, in the Vexin, is holding its final day of the 2026 season, with afternoon opening. The Nemours château-museum remains closed until November 7 for a new exhibition installation; its next free visit is scheduled for Sunday, December 6, 2026. The good news is that All Saints’ Day won’t mean closed doors: the official websites for these châteaux list annual closures only on January 1, May 1 and December 25. At the Château de Maisons, a free guided tour is even on offer on November 1 at 3 p.m., with registration on site, subject to availability. The Château de Vincennes, meanwhile, is extending its school-holiday activities until November 2.
Fontainebleau Castle, the Kings of France's Country Residence
A true jewel of French heritage in Seine-et-Marne, the Fontainebleau Castle reveals itself free of charge on the first Sunday of each month, except for June, July and August. This royal residence, which welcomed French sovereigns for eight centuries—from Francis I to Napoleon III—unfolds its sumptuous apartments, its galleries adorned with Renaissance frescoes, and its French-style gardens. Let’s go and discover this exceptional castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where you can admire the famed François I Gallery, Napoleon's throne, and Marie-Antoinette's apartments. [Read more]
Closed: Nemours Castle-Museum
Rare medieval urban château in Île-de-France, the Château-Museum of Nemours is currently closed until November 7 for the new installation of the exhibition "A Castle in Sweden," but note that the gardens are freely accessible. A free visit will be available starting December 6. [Read more]
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. [Read more]
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. [Read more]
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. [Read more]
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! [Read more]
Sceaux Castle
The Château de Sceaux, the jewel of the Hauts-de-Seine Departmental Museum, opens its doors free of charge on the first Sunday of every month, year-round. An opportunity to discover, at no cost, its collections devoted to French taste, from Louis XIV to Napoleon III. [Read more]
The Château of Vincennes: A Royal Fortress at the Gates of Paris
Along with the Louvre, the Château de Vincennes is one of the most important castles in French history. It is also one of the largest and best-preserved fortified castles in Europe... [Read more]
The Château de Rambouillet and its Bergerie nationale, an exceptional estate in the Paris region (78)
A princely, royal, imperial and then presidential residence, the Château de Rambouillet and its grounds are steeped in history and boast some remarkable nooks and crannies, including the Queen's Dairy, the Chaumière aux coquillages and the Bergerie nationale, not to be missed. [Read more]
The Château de Champs-sur-Marne, a magnificent Renaissance-style building with an 85-hectare garden
In the Seine-et-Marne département, the Château de Champs-sur-Marne is less well known than Vaux-le-Vicomte or Fontainebleau. A testament to its rich history, Champs-sur-Marne is best known for its vast 85-hectare wooded park, which is open all year round! [Read more]
The Château de Maisons-Laffitte, a pleasure home with a royal air, in the Yvelines department
In Maisons-Laffitte, in the Yvelines département, the town's château has all the hallmarks of a chateau, yet it was once a "simple" pleasure house! Less than an hour from Paris, it's a beautiful place to discover with family, friends or on your own. [Read more]
Château de Compiègne: a Royal and Imperial heritage within easy reach
The Château de Compiègne, built on the initiative of Louis XV and Louis XVI, then refurbished under Napoleon I and Napoleon III, is a living page in French history. Located in the town of Compiègne, 80 kilometers from Paris, this architectural gem is one of France's most important royal and imperial residences, alongside Versailles and Fontainebleau. [Read more]
Château de Pierrefonds, the medieval castle reinvented under Napoleon IIISo, how about visiting a castle for free this All Saints’ Day Sunday?
And for more free tours:
Free museums and monuments: must-see spots this Sunday, November 1, in Paris and Île-de-France
Which free museum to visit in Paris or Île-de-France on the first Sunday of the month, Sunday November 1, 2026? We are happy to rekindle our little monthly ritual: discovering a museum or monument without spending a penny! Don’t miss these Sunday tips. [Read more]
Are you looking for a free museum in Paris or a free monument in Île-de-France? Free-access venues, free tours on the first Sunday of each month, museums free for under-26s and for teachers: discover the cultural deals you won’t want to miss. [Read more]
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Dates and Opening Time
On November 1, 2026
Prices
Free
Recommended age
For all
Free museums and monuments: must-see spots this Sunday, November 1, in Paris and Île-de-France
Free museums in Paris and free monuments in Île-de-France: the top cultural deals
