Versailles, the palace and the gardens

The Chateau of Versailles remains forever the emblematic symbol of Louis XIV, whose reign lasted for almost half a century. It is recognised as one of the most beautiful works of art of the 17th century France. In the beginning it was the site of a modest chateau built by Louis XIII as a hunting lodge. The site was then chosen by Louis XIV for the construction of the palace which stands there to this day, a symbol of royal absolutism and the incarnation of Classical French art.

Versailles, the grand Trianon, The petit Trianon and Marie-Antoinette’s Estate

The Grand Trianon was designed by Jules Hardouin Mansart in 1687, on the site of the « Porcelain Trianon  », which had been constructed in 1670 under the orders of Louis XIV. He wanted to construct a private residence, where he could escape from the pomp and show of the court, and enjoy time with his mistress Mme de Montespan.Built in pink marble, whence the nick-name « the Marble Trianon », the Grand Trianon is undoubtedly the most (...)

The Royal Château of Fontainebleau

So much has been written about the Chateau de Fontainebleau and its forest. Ronsard, Malsherbe, Flaubert have celebrated the magnificence of the domain. It has to be said, it is a landmark of France’s history. The Chateau de Fontainebleau has been the king of France’s residence from Francis the first (who made it his favourite) to Napoléon the third. Several kings have influenced the chateau’s construction and history, becoming a legacy/heritage of the different periods of French history since (...)

Château of Chantilly

The Chateau of Chantilly stands in the heart of a 7,800 hectare domain located in one of the largest forests surrounding Paris, called the three forests massif (Chantilly, Halatte, Ermenonville). Built during the Middle Ages among the marshes of the Nonette valley, the Chantilly castle is the result of the constructions and additions of succeeding families. It is mainly the Montmorency family who arranged the chateau to give it its pleasantness and agreeable aspect. It was Anne de Montmorency, in the (...)

Saint-Germain-en-Laye is a town of history and culture. This chateau was built under the seal/eye of History, having been where numerous historical events took place, such as the handing over of Christ’s crown of thornsby the Emperor of Constantinople to Saint-Louis. Witness to Francis the first and Claude the France’s wedding, the castle also held the birth of Henri the second, Charles the 9th and Louis the 14th.

Château of Ecouen

Built on the foundations of a medieval fortress, the Château d’Ecouen was the work of Anne de Montmorency, a Master of the French armies. Inspired by the transalpine palaces which he discovered during his war campaigns in Italy, Anne de Montmorency designed the Château d’Ecouen with the help of Jean Bullant, the architect behind the Palais des Tuileries and the Hôtel de le Reine. Ecouen fast became one of King Henri II’s favourite leisure spots.

Château of Vaux le Vicomte

Vaux-le-Vicomte , the chateau which inspired Versailles.A Product of the ambition of Nicolas Fouquet, the financial advisor of King Louis XIV, the construction of Vaux-le-Vicomte was entrusted to the greatest artists of the Kingdom: Louis Le Vau, the Kings chief architect, Charles le Brun, founder of the Academie de Peinture, and André La Nôtre, the Royal landscape artist.Divided into two parts: chateau and farm, Vaux-le-Vicomte is strategically placed between two royal residences: the Chateau (...)

Château of Compiègne

The Castle of Compiègne is a French château, a royal residence built for Louis XV and restored by Napoleon. Compiègne was one of three seats of royal government, the others being Versailles and Fontainebleau. It is located in Compiègne in the Oise département, and open to the public.
Even before the château was constructed, Compiègne was the preferred summer residence for French monarchs, primarily for hunting given (...)

Château of Breteuil

The Château de Breteuil (previously called the Château de Bevilliers) was built in the early 17th century and decorated principally in the 18th century. 
It is located in the Île-de-France and the département of Yvelines, France.
The château is set in a listed park of some 90 hectares. The family of the Marquis de Breteuil who still lives there gave three ministers to the Kings of France.

Château of Rambouillet

The XIVth century fortress at the heart of the Rambouillet forest has sheltered illustrious characters throughout the centuries, and they progressively turned it into a pleasant residence, which Louis XVI acquired in 1783. This royal residence, which welcomed François Ast, the Count of Toulouse, the Duke of Penthièvre, Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette, Napoleon 1st...finally became the official residence of French presidents in 1883.

Château of Malmaison

Acquired by Josephine and Napoleon Bonaparte in 1799, as they were looking for lands around Paris, the Château de Malmaison is unique in its decor and its consular-style furnishings. Built in the XVIIth century, Josephine and Napoleon Bonaparte had the XVIIth century chateau entirely renovated by the young architects Percier and Fontaine.

André Le Nôtre : King Louis XIV’s gardener

André LeNôtre is undoubtedly the most famous French landscape artist. As the gardener of King Louis XIV, from 1645 to 1700, he designed the park and the gardens at the Château de Versailles, and also at the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, the Château de Chantilly and the Château de Fontainbleau. In 1656, Le Nôtre designed the gardens at the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte for Nicolas Fouquet.

The châteaux of Louis XIV

Versailles, the symbol of both absolute monarchy and the Revolution which destroyed it, was the main residence of Louis XIV. An art and culture enthusiast, he applied his desire for grandeur and cultural development to architecture. This gave rise to the colonnade at the Louvre, the Hôtel des Invalides, Place Vendôme and, of course, the Château de Versailles. In 1682, with his court and his government, the King settled into the Château de Versailles, a better symbol of his power and influence in Europe.

The châteaux of François Ier

The Château de Saint-Germain was a truly royal residence since the time of François 1st, who built the city's trade boom, used by a court in constant effervescence. After having married Claude de France in the château's chapel, the site became his favorite residence. He commissioned the architect Pierre Chambiges with transforming the château and rebuilding it in Renaissance style, which it still has to this day after having been restored.

The châteaux of Napoléon Ier

Though the Château de Fontainebleau was refounded on initiative of François 1st and Henri IV, it usually brings to mind Napoleon Ist. The man who restored it, who turned Fontainebleau into one of the seats of the Premier Empire after having been a royal city. Bonaparte refurnished the apartments and in 1804 hosted Pope Pius VII who had come to consecrate him, then held him here in custody and only rarely stayed here between military campaigns. The capital of horses, that is the title Fontainebleau gives itself.