This Val-de-Marne château, the heritage of an illustrious family, is being unveiled for the first time this summer.

The Domaine d'Ormesson, in the heart of the Val-de-Marne, opens its doors to the public for the first time this summer, from July 27 to September 4, 2026. Usually accessible only during the Heritage Days, one of Île-de-France's oldest private estates, it will be revealed through tours of its castle and its grounds, about 40 minutes from Paris.

Formerly known as Château d'Amboile, the historic residence was built in brick and stone from 1598 by Louis-Picot de Santeny, an intendant of finances whose family had held the lands since the 15th century. A few years later, it was purchased by Nicolas Le Prevost de Malassis, whose daughter—married since 1604 to André Le Fèvre d’Ormesson—has owned it through the ensuing generations.

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Over the centuries it has welcomed some of the leading figures of French intellectual life, including Madame de Sévigné, Racine, and La Fontaine. In 1870 Prussian troops looted the art objects and hurled furniture and trinkets into the basins, just as the Germans did in 1940.

As for the Park, it spans 66 hectares and is cut through by the Morbras, a tributary of the Marne. While nothing remains of the Italian-style gardens, the estate was reorganized in 1758 according to Le Nôtre’s principles, the famed gardener of Louis XIV. The château has been listed as a Historic Monument since 1889. You may have seen the estate too if you watched the show "The Best Pastry Chef" on M6!

On your visit, you can discover the gardens of the estate, bordered by its rivers, as well as the castle’s ground floor, which still houses the family’s historic furniture and a lavish decor that has remained intact through the generations. Quieter, the family chapel is also accessible, while picnic tables are laid out at the castle entrance for bucolic strolls.

If you simply want to wander the park, budget €5 or also explore the château for €10. To reach the Château d'Ormesson, you’ll need to take the RER A and alight at Sucy-Bonneuil, then catch bus 440 or 308.