The Île-de-France region is home to numerous historic châteaux, which are the jewels of its cultural heritage. Once there, visitors can enjoy activities for children, fun trails or strolls through the gardens. These make for some wonderful day trips to include in a family holiday in Paris.
A must-visit destination if ever there was one, the Château de Versailles offers a wonderful history lesson to enjoy as a family. As well as the Hall of Mirrors and the Lenôtre gardens, there are plenty of activities organised for children: a guided tour of the collections, a discovery trail around the site and some original workshops. Not to be missed on sunny days: the Grandes Eaux musicales and the Grandes Eaux Nocturnes !
The Château de Vincennes invites children to explore the building’s famous medieval fortress. A small illustrated booklet allows them to discover the secrets of medieval life in the company of Marc, an extraordinary winged lion.
And for a day out combining culture and nature, head to the domaine de Chantilly. The site offers fun trails specially designed for children. After the tour, they can stretch their legs in the park and gardens, watch the animals and have fun in a maze covering some 4,000 m² (currently being restored).
The Château de Breteuil Meanwhile, it celebrates the storyteller Charles Perrault and his most famous characters: Bluebeard, Puss in Boots and Tom Thumb. Short plays performed in the outbuildings bring their adventures to life, and there are plenty of activities on offer to entertain the children. And to keep the dream alive for the whole family, the château de Vaux-le-Vicomte organise régulièrement des visites costumées, idéales pour une sortie originale à proximité de Paris.
Medieval flying buttresses, a vast, light-filled cloister, an imposing building and a kitchen garden where unusual plants grow: these are the highlights of the Abbaye de Royaumont, a timeless place that welcomes visitors. Play-based trails are also available for families, who can choose the activities that interest them on a pick-and-mix basis.
Finally, near Compiègne, the Château de Pierrefonds (closed from 1 to 19 October 2018), famous for its ramparts and imposing keep, offers families a discovery trail with a booklet for younger children, themed tours, exhibitions and a programme of workshops.
The château de Fontainebleau for its part, it organises themed tours, investigative tours and historical re-enactments.
Before Versailles, there was Vaux le Vicomte !
Located 50 km southeast of Paris, Vaux le Vicomte offers the …
A royal residence on the edges of Paris.
The Château of Vincennes was used as royal residence from the 12th …
