A magnificent fortified castle dating back to the fourteenth century, the Château de Rambouillet is a former royal residence that hosted many illustrious figures from French history, from François I to Napoleon I, by way of Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette. Now a presidential estate open to the public, the château boasts remarkable interior décor as well as an exceptional French-style garden, complete with 6 islands and canals.
Highlights
The Château
Designed as a fortress, the château has retained its bastioned outline and its 14th-century keep. Inside you'll find striking décor, with particular mention going to the Marble Hall, the 18th-century oak paneling, and its neo-Pompeian-style decoration from the First Empire.
The Queen's Dairy
Originally a tasting room built for Marie-Antoinette at the request of her husband Louis XVI, this small sandstone building shaped like a neoclassical temple consists of two rooms: the dairy itself and an artificial grotto.
The Shell Cottage
Built by the Duke of Penthièvre for the Princess of Lamballe between 1779 and 1780, this one-of-a-kind cottage is decorated with mother-of-pearl and European shells. It also has a small dressing room.
The Estate
With more than 150 hectares of gardens classified as "Jardins Remarquables," the superb Domaine de Rambouillet is an ideal place to stroll or enjoy all kinds of outdoor activities: cycling, "rosalie" pedal carriages, electric buggies, or rowing on the canals.
Practical info
Tips
- Admission to the château is free on the first Sunday of the month, from November 1st to March 31st, instead of the usual 3€, during the restoration works. Admission is also free for EU residents under 26 and for children.
How to get there
Located between Versailles and Chartres, southwest of Paris, the Château de Rambouillet can be reached by car via the RN10 toward Chartres, then heading toward Rambouillet and following the signs to the château. It's also possible to get there by train from Gare Montparnasse, stopping at "Rambouillet" station.
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