Since Paris is home to some of the most interesting attractions in the world, very few people venture out of the city during their visit. However, France is much more than just Paris.
If you appreciate calmer, more picturesque surroundings, and you are spending more than 2 days in Paris, taking a day trip out can be an excellent way to spend your time and explore more of French culture.
Within a short distance from Paris, there are several magnificent castles of great beauty and historical value that will leave you breathless. This is our list of the most beautiful castles around Paris.
Best 10 Castles near Paris you have to visit
Where to Stay to See the Best Castles Near Paris Paris is the best place to base yourself if you want to visit the close-by castles, palaces, and chateaux. You can book a rental car, or take the train or bus, to see the best castles near Paris. Hotel Lutetia: Close to the famous Louvre Museum, the Hotel Lutetia is an iconic luxury hotel in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés area. Some rooms offer views of the Eiffel Tower or a rooftop terrace with a 360° view of Paris. After sightseeing, you can relax in the Akasha Holistic Wellbeing Center, which includes a sauna, a steam room, a fitness center, and an indoor pool. Book your stay here. Hôtel Jardin de Cluny: In the heart of the Latin Quarter, between Notre-Dame and the Sorbonne, the eco-friendly Hôtel Jardin de Cluny offers a buffet breakfast with organic products in the 13th-century vaulted dining room. The comfortable rooms with private bathrooms are a dream for every interior design lover. Book your stay here. Austin's Arts Et Metiers Hotel: The Austin's Hotel is situated in the Marais district in the heart of Paris. The Place de la Republique and the Pompidou Center are within walking distance from the hotel. The hotel serves continental breakfast, which guests can enjoy in the breakfast room or in the comfort of their room. Austin's Arts Et Metiers Hotel is next to the Arts & Metiers Metro Station, making it easy to visit the sights and the best castles close to Paris. Book your stay here. Hôtel Le Presbytère: Close to the Pompidou Center, the Les Halles shopping center, and in walking distance to Notre-Dame, the Hôtel Le Presbytère is set in a former presbytery. The unique Gothic decoration and furniture transport guests to another time. The Chatelet metro station is close by, making it easy to discover the parts of Paris which are further away. Book your stay here. How to Get to the Best Castles Near Paris The most flexible way to visit the best castles near Paris is by renting a car. I recommend booking a car through Discover Cars, where you can compare all rental car agencies’ prices, and you can modify or cancel your booking free of charge. They also guarantee the best price. Click here for more information and to check the latest prices. You can also book a guided tour from Paris, including a skip-the-line entry, to enjoy the stunning Palace of Versailles. Click here for more information and to check the latest prices. Alternatively, you can take the RER lines (commuter rail and rapid transit system) or buses, to get from Paris to the castles. You will find more information on how to get to the specific castles and chateaux inside the article.
1. Palace of Versailles
Palace of Versailles is undoubtedly the quintessential French chateaux. Besides being one of the grandest and most luxurious castles in the country, it also has a fascinating history.
Built as a residence for France’s most famous king, Louis XIV, the castle and the garden cover an area of outstanding size. Visitors will find dozens of rooms filled with exquisite furniture and art pieces.
Some of the most impressive parts of the castle are The Hall of Mirrors, the Royal Stables, and the private residence of Queen Marie Antoinette.
Opening hours and tickets: For more information, check here.
How to get there from Paris: RER line C5 arrives at the Versailles Chateau Rive Gauche train station, which is 10 minutes on foot away from the castle.
From Gare Montparnasse, you can take the train to Versailles Chantiers train station, followed by a 20-minute walk to the palace. From Gare Saint Lazare, you can take the train to Versailles Rive Droite train station, followed by a 15-minute walk to the Palace. The train journey is 30 minutes.
You can also take Versailles Express, which goes directly to the palace from the Eiffel Tower, with departure at 7.45 am, 9.45 am, and 1.30 pm.
The RATP bus line 171 goes between Pont de Sèvres (terminus of the Paris metro line 9) and the Palace of Versailles. The journey takes 30 minutes.
Tip: The Palace of Versailles is always busy, so book your tickets ahead of time. I recommend the following:
– From Paris: Versailles Skip-the-Line Tour & Gardens Access (includes round trip transportation)
– Versailles Palace and Gardens Full Access Ticket
2. Chateau de Chantilly
The construction of Chateau de Chantilly began in the 14th century and ended four centuries later. The castle is a magnificent example of the refinement and elegance specific to the Renaissance style.
Besides the beauty of the castle, another point of attraction is its gorgeous location amid vast areas of formal gardens and picturesque villages dotted by charming lakes and ponds.
This makes Chateau de Chantilly a great respite from the hustle and bustle of Paris. The estate is also home to the largest stables in Europe, and there are many equestrian shows and demonstrations taking place regularly.
Opening hours and tickets: For more information, check here.
How to get there from Paris: From Gare du Nord, you can take SNCF main lines and get off at Chantilly-Gouvieux.
The journey takes 30 minutes.
Take RER line D and get off at Chantilly-Gouvieux train station. The journey takes 45 minutes.
Take bus no. 15 Senlis direction and get off at Chantilly Eglise Notre-Dame.
Tip: Buy your Chateau of Chantilly Skip-the-Line Ticket here in advance to avoid the queues.
Check out: Famous castles to visit in France.
3. Palace of Fontainebleau
One of the largest castles near Paris, the Palace of Fontainebleau is also one of the most famous French landmarks, as it served as a royal residence for French monarchs.
Built in the 12th century, the castle was expanded continuously over the next eight centuries, which led to an original and bewildering mix of architectural styles, including medieval and Renaissance.
With its large gardens, museums, and art galleries, Chateau de Fontainebleau leaves a great impression on its visitors. The Fontainebleau forest nearby adds even more charm to the setting.
Opening hours and Tickets: For more information, check here.
How to get there from Paris: From Paris Gare de Lyon, take Transilien line R to Fontainebleau Avon train station. From here, take the Aerial 1 Bus direction Les Lilas, which stops two minutes away from the castle. The total journey takes 1h and 20 minutes.
I recommend booking your tickets in advance or joining a guided tour.
Château de Fontainebleau: Priority Entrance Ticket
Fontainebleau & Vaux-le-Vicomte Châteaux Day Tour from Paris
4. Chateau de Compiègne
Along with Versailles and Fontainebleau, Chateau de Compiègne is one of the most important historic castles near Paris that served for centuries as a royal residence.
Built for King Louis XV, the castle is set in an area of stunning natural beauty, where many French monarchs preferred to spend the summer. Due to its location near the Compiegne Forest, the castle also served as a great base for hunting trips.
Besides the royal apartments open for visitors, the castle is also home today to the Museum of the Second Empire and the National Car Museum.
Opening hours and Tickets: For more information, check here.
How to get there from Paris: Free buses to the castles run from Monday to Saturday on Lines 1, 2, and 4.
From Gare du Nord, there are several SNCF trains available daily. The train journey can last from 40 minutes to 1h and 20 minutes. The castle is 10 minutes away from the train station.
5. The Palace of Malmaison
Located only 15 kilometers away from the city center, Chateau De Malmaison is one of the best castles outside Paris. This is the former residence of Empress Joséphine de Beauharnais, the wife of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte.
The castle also housed the French Government between 1800 and 1802, and it is also where Napoleon spent his last days in Paris. Although this countryside chateau does not have the grandeur of other, more famous French castles, the beautiful architecture and the quiet surroundings are worth exploring.
Opening hours and tickets: For more information, check here.
How to get there from Paris: Take bus 258 from La Defense metro station. Get off at Le Chateau bus station.
You can also take RER A to Rueil Malmaison, but this will involve a 40-minute walk to the castle.
6. Chateau de Maisons Laffitte
Chateau de Maisons Laffitte was built in the first half of the 17th century as a residence for the Count of Artois, the brother of King Louis XIV. This is also one of the most stunning castles close to Paris.
Impressed by the sumptuous chateau, the king asked the sculptors and decorators that worked on his brother’s castle to help him build a similar residence, which would become the Versailles.
As a precursor of Versailles, Chateau de Maisons Laffitte is a gorgeous construction of great national significance. Due to its importance, it has been preserved with great care by the French state since the beginning of the 20th century.
Opening hours and tickets: For more information, check here.
How to get there from Paris: Take RER Line A and get off at Maisons-Laffitte station.
7. Chateau de Pierrefonds
Originally, Chateau de Pierrefonds was a castle built in the 14th century as a residence for the Duke Louis of Orleans. However, this construction was destroyed three centuries later and left in ruins.
Due to the historical value of the place, Napoleon III ordered reconstruction according to the original medieval designs. For this reason, the castle is definitely an intriguing sight.
With several massive towers, today it looks like an imposing fortress. The sumptuous rooms are reminders of the castle’s role as an imperial residence.
Opening hours: For more information, check here.
How to get there from Paris: There is no direct connection from Paris to the castle. You can take the train to Compiegne, then bus 27 to Pierrefonds-Mairie, followed by a short walk to the castle.
Click here to book your Château de Pierrefonds Fast Track tickets.
8. Chateau de Vincennes
Chateau de Vincennes has tremendous significance in French history. Up until 1682, this fortified castle was the primary residence of the French monarchy, but Louis XIV decided to relocate to Versailles.
For the following three centuries, the castle served as a prison for highly political figures such as the Marquis de Sade. The castle also had a strategic military role, offering protection against invasions and revolutions.
During the Second World War, Chateau de Vincennes was tragically damaged. Today, however, it is fully restored. The most impressive thing about the castle is the 50-meter-tall dungeon.
Opening hours and tickets: For more information, check here.
How to get there from Paris: Take metro line 1 and get off at Chateau de Vincennes.
Take RER A line direction Marne la Vallée or Boissy-Saint-Léger and get off at Vincennes train station.
Take bus 46, 56, or 86 to Porte de Vincennes.
Tip: Book your Château de Vincennes Entry Ticket in advance here.
9. Chateaux de Champs-Sur-Marne
Chateau de Champs-Sur-Marne is a neoclassical palace built as a summer residence for wealthy members of the French royal administration. It is an example of 18th-century architecture typical of private estates.
The interiors are sumptuous and include important art pieces and extravagant décor. The collection of furniture includes 900 items. No other castles near Paris are as stunningly decorated.
Many famous French authors such as Diderot, Voltaire, and Chateaubriand resided at Vincennes. In 1935, the President of the Republic choose the castle as his official residence.
Opening hours and tickets: For more information, check here.
How to get there from Paris: Take RER A line and get off at Noisiel le Luzard, followed by bus no. 220 direction Bry-Sur-Marne. Get off at Champs bus station. From here, there is a 20-minute walk to the castle.
Click here to book your Château de Champs-sur-Marne Tickets.
10. Chateau de Breteuil
Situated at the heart of a national park, Chateau de Breteuil is a historical monument surrounded by remarkable gardens. This chateau near Paris was built as a residence for the family of Marquis de Breteuil, and it has remained in the family ever since.
Visitors, however, will be delighted to discover that the castle’s grounds host important events and artistic representations, especially of famous French children’s tales by author Charles Perrault.
The castle is also home to wax figures of famous tale characters such as Sleeping Beauty or Little Red Riding Hood. This is truly the dream castle in Paris.
Opening hours and tickets: For more information, check here.
How to get there from Paris: Take the RER B line and get off at Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse, followed by a short journey on the Baladobus. The journey takes around 2h with the transfer.
You might also like: Fairytale Castles in the Loire Valley.
When it comes to castles near Paris, the options abound. In a country which such an impressive history, known as one of the most culturally-rich places on the planet, it is clear that there are many hidden gems to discover.
Exploring the castles near Paris is a great way to know more about France when you’re short on time, so don’t forget to add these magnificent places to your bucket list.
FAQs about the Best Castles Near Paris
The most famous castles near Paris are the Palace of Versailles, the Palace of Fontainebleau, the Château de Compiègne, the Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, the Château de Milandes, and the Château de Malmaison.
What makes the castles of Paris so special is their pompous buildings, the immense size of the gardens, the impressive chapels, as well as the galleries, which are full of paintings and books from famous artists. The best castles are all within close proximity to Paris, making it easy to visit them while staying in Paris.
The most famous palace outside of Paris is the Palace of Versailles. Built as a residence for King Louis XIV of France, the castle and garden cover an area of outstanding size. There are dozens of rooms to wander around, filled with exquisite furniture and art pieces.
With some great castles and chateaux close to Paris, you can skip the Palace of Versailles and visit one of the following castles: Palace of Fontainebleau, Château de Chantilly, Château de Compiègne, the Palace of Malmaison, Château de Maisons Laffitte, Château de Pierrefonds, Château de Vincennes, Château de Champs-Sur-Marne, or the Château de Breteuil.
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These look amazing. I’ve only been to Versaille and Vincennes but would love to check out the rest of them next time I go to Paris. Thanks for putting this together.