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.

If you know, without a doubt, the Zoo de Thoiry, one of the region’s most famous attractions in Île-de-France, did you know that a Renaissance-style château stood right next to it? Erected in 1559 by the architect Philibert de l’Orme at the behest of the king’s treasurer, it has been designated a Monument historique. Less than fifty years after its construction, Raoul II de Moreau, grandson of the property’s first owner, orchestrated the only and sole sale of the château in its entire history.

In 1612, he provokes a duel and kills Ann le Blanc du Raulet at the castle gates. Condemned to death for this murder, he leaves France and his possessions are seized, including the Château de Thoiry, entrusted by the king to Guillaume Marescot, which has remained for 13 generations in the same family.

It thus weathered the French Revolution and the two World Wars with little damage. The chapel is, in fact, dedicated to the Sacred Heart after World War I, Eugène, Count de La Panouse having vowed to consecrate it if the Germans were halted before Thoiry.

The castle, with furnishings preserved from different periods as well as historical archives and built on a hill, is open to the public since 1965 by Count Antoine de La Panouse, who created, in part of the park, the famous animal park. Its architecture, based on the golden ratio, is distinctive, notably the central vestibule. On the summer and winter solstices, the sun rises and sets through it, a true solar calendar!

The château is a privately owned family home that remains inhabited, which is why only the ground floor is open to visitors. Visitors can, among other things, admire from the salons and bedrooms a Gobelin tapestry, a gift from King Louis XVI, a Chinese wallpaper, the Blanchet harpsichord, an exceptionally crafted fireplace, and a piano on which Frédéric Chopin played. Unfortunately, the chapel is not open to visitors at the moment, but a few stained-glass panes can be admired from a skylight.

During the school holidays, it is open daily from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., with weekend-only hours the rest of the year, until Sunday, September 27, 2026. Expect €5 for a self-guided visit, €2.50 for those with a same-day zoo ticket, and free for visitors under 11.

A perfectly family‑friendly visit, whether it’s before or after a day with the animals! The sites you can access aren’t sprawling, so pair the two tours, unless you live nearby or you’re a fan of castles like these. Note that some rooms can feel a bit dusty and old‑fashioned, which could trigger sneezes for dust‑sensitive visitors!

Regarding the gardens, they’re accessible only with the zoo’s tickets and are open from June to August. The castle hosts events year-round to discover the historic site in a different way, via a horrific escape game, guided tours, candlelit concerts, and more.

A game booklet also accompanies children, with a small prize for 3€, not to mention the possibility of renting a period costume for the little ones (2€).

To reach it by public transport, hop on the Transilien J (Saint-Lazare) or N (Montparnasse) to Mantes-la-Jolie, then hop on bus line 78 to the Mairie de Thoiry stop. By car, you’ll find ample parking in the zoo’s adjacent large lot.