The Château de Maisons-Laffitte is located in the town of Maisons-Laffitte, not far from the sumptuous Versailles, although the château is far less well known than that of the royal city where Louis XIV built his immense palace. In 1633, René de Longueil, a high-ranking magistrate in the Parliament of Paris, decided to build a château on his family's estate in Maisons-sur-Seine. De Longueil asked François Mansart, an architect of the time, to draw up the plans for his future home, surrounded by a vast wooded estate, which the château overlooks.
Prestigious guests have included Louis XIV and Voltaire... Château de Maisons passed from generation to generation within the de Longueil family. Finally, in 1777, the Comte d'Artois, brother of Louis XVI - and future King Charles X - purchased the property for hunting purposes. From year to year, the château passed through the hands of various owners, most notably banker Jacques Laffitte, who undertook extensive work to transform the estate. In his honor, Maisons-sur-Seine later became the town of Maisons-Laffitte. After a final purchase and an inheritance problem, the château was threatened with destruction by a property developer: thanks to a major mobilization of the town's inhabitants, who founded the Société des Amis du Château de Maisons, the French government succeeded in saving the château and acquired it in its turn in 1905. On April 18, 1914, the Château de Maisons-Laffitte was classified as a Historic Monument: since 1912, it has been open to visitors all year round, enabling them to discover the history of the town.
The château is open every day except Tuesday, from 10am to 12:30pm and 2pm to 6pm (May 16 to September 25) and from 10am to 12:30pm and 2pm to 5pm (September 16 to May 15). For people with disabilities, the château offers specially adapted tours, details of which can be found on the château's website. Admission is €8 per person, and free for minors and under-25s.
To get to the château, take RER line A or Transilien line L to the Maisons-Laffitte stop. By car (from Paris), simply follow the underground towards Cergy-Pontoise, A86, Colombes ouest exit, Bezons towards Poissy via the N192 and then the N308.
JEMA 2026: Meet the Masters of Art at the Château de Maisons (78)
Head to the Château de Maisons-Laffitte in the Yvelines for the European Heritage Crafts Days on April 12, 2026. Expect a celebration of France’s rich heritage, skilled artisans, and traditional craftsmanship! [Read more]
The Count of Artois, a prince and patron: exhibition at Château de Maisons-Laffitte extended – photos
Discover the exhibition “The Count of Artois: Prince and Patron” at Château de Maisons-Laffitte, running from November 14, 2025, to March 8, 2026. Over 120 pieces from the Palace of Versailles and other prestigious collections showcase the early years of the future Charles X. [Read more]
Dates and Opening Time
Starts March 6, 2026
Location
Le Château de Maisons
2 Avenue Carnot
78600 Maisons Laffitte
Access
RER: line A, Maisons-Laffitte station
SNCF: train from Saint-Lazare
Official website
www.chateau-maisons.fr
Booking
www.chateau-maisons.fr
