Chateau de Rambouillet
Near Rue Maurice Dechy, Rambouillet, Île-de-France, 78120
Château de Rambouillet, dating back to the 14th century, is one of the grandest and most historic castles in the Île-de-France region. Frequented by kings and queens, emperors and presidents, it has served as everything from a royal retreat to a setting for international diplomacy. Today, it remains an architectural and cultural gem.
The Basics
Initially founded as a country manor, the Château de Rambouillet eventually was expanded into a castle of impressive proportions. Famed for its lavish, rococo interior, the palace sits on elegant parklands, accompanied by several quaint cottages. King Francis I died at the castle, and Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette, and Napoleon all spent time here. More recently, the château was used by General Charles de Gaulle as his headquarters just before the liberation of Paris in 1944. The château has also hosted G6 summits and was, until recently, a presidential summer residence.
Today, the Château de Rambouillet is conveniently included in the hop-on hop-off Paris Pass bus tour and is included in the Paris Museum Pass. Its proximity to the French capital means it’s easy to explore the castle during a day trip.
Things to Know Before You Go
At select times during the summer months, visitors can rent boats, as well as bikes and other vehicles.
Due to uneven surfaces and numerous steps, the château is not readily accessible to visitors with limited mobility.
Guide dogs are permitted on-site.
Much of the château is open to independent exploration, though select guided tours visit areas of the landmark that are otherwise off-limits to the public.
How to Get There
The Château de Rambouillet is served by SNCF trains that go direct from the Gare de Montparnasse to Rambouillet station; from the station, it is a 15-minute walk or quick taxi trip to the château. The château can also be reached by car via the A10 or N10.
When to Get There
The Château de Rambouillet is open every day except Tuesday. From October to March, it opens from 9:50am to 12pm and 1:50pm to 5pm. From April to September, it’s open from 9:50am to 12pm and 1:50pm to 6pm. Note that the château is closed Jan. 1, May 1, Nov. 1, Nov. 11, and Dec. 25 each year.
Highlights of the Grounds
In addition to the main building, the Château de Rambouillet’s grounds also feature the Queen’s Dairy (a replica dairy built for Marie Antoinette) and the Shell Cottage, decorated, as its name suggests, with fantastically intricate seashell mosaics.
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