10 Beautiful Castles To Visit On A Day Trip From Paris

Le château de Chambord. Photo by Rundvald. Wikimedia Commons

10 Beautiful Castles to visit on a Day Trip from Paris

Looking for the most exciting and eye-catching castles that you can visit on a day trip to Paris? Worry no more because this post will show all the must-visit castles in Paris as you immerse yourself in France’s history. A visit to Paris is one of a kind since the city feels just like a dreamscape and its beauty makes it an alluring wonderland. The city is very popular globally for its mouth-watering desserts, vibrant culture, and spectacular vacation site.

Paris is the home of castles that have been beautifully preserved to date. The castles are however not located far from the city and you can always visit them to observe the art and architecture of the magnificent structures. Although most of the castles have already been used as royal residences, they, however, remain the marks of French design, artistry, and grandeur.

Below are the 10 beautiful castles to visit on a day trip from Paris

1. Chateau De Chantilly

Image by Peter H from Pixabay

Are you tired of the daily activities and wish to take your mind off work? Chateau De Chantilly is one of the most magnificent castles near Paris that is located in the beautiful town of Chantilly. It hosts the second most extensive collection of antique French art.

The castle is about one hour drive or half an hour via train and the beautiful architecture of the castle will just leave you amazed. You will also have the opportunity to observe the horses that are hosted in the biggest stables in Europe.

 Check out: A Walk in Ile Saint-Louis

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Address: 60500 Chantilly, France

Opening Hours: 10 am-6 pm Wednesday to Monday

2. Chateau De Fontainebleau

Have you tried the most famous and spectacular castle in the entire Paris? Chateau De Fontainebleau is a wonderland, especially for nature lovers, history lovers, and people who were to spend their day away from everyday noises. It is the most famous castle and it is also believed to be the largest in entire France.

The magnificent structure which was the residence of the French monarchs has remained standing for more than eight centuries. There you will find about 1500 rooms with some unique rooms such as the Throne Room of Napoleon, the Pope’s apartment, and the Queen’s bedroom.

Read also: Top 10 Most Beautiful Overlooked French Castles near Paris

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Book this tour with us: FONTAINEBLEAU & VAUX-LE-VICOMTE CHÂTEAUX DAY TOUR FROM PARIS

Address: 77300 Fontainebleau, France

Opening Hours: 9:30 am-5 pm Wednesday to Monday

3. Chateau De Joux

Château_de_Joux. Photo by Alouvrier. Wikimedia Commons

Love is in the air within the confines of this magnificent Chateau De Joux which is one of the unique castles just outside Paris that was built in the 11^th century entirely out of wood. This magnificent structure was slowly converted into a defense fort since it was built on top of a hill and had several vantage points. The monument was also later converted into a prison housing the well-known, Mirabeau. Currently, the monument is used as an arms museum with about 600 rare arms.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Address: Rte du Chateau, 25300 La Cluse-et-Mijoux, France

Opening Hours: 9:30am-12pm, 1:30pm-5:30pm Monday to Sunday

4. Chateau De Monte-Cristo

Do you crave for a prefect and most beautiful relaxing place in Paris for a day? You found it. Chateau De Monte-Cristo which is just an hour’s drive from Paris is located at Le Port-Marly in the northern part of France. The castle was constructed by the author of the “Three Musketeers”, Alexander Dumas in 1844. The castle is constructed in a serene environment which is perfect for relaxing. It is very famous for holding some of the banquets hosted in-house by Dumas. The beautifully designed castle comes along with a classic English garden that contains a waterfall, fountains, and a gothic pavilion.

Read also: Where to walk in Paris without traffic

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Address: Chem. Du Haut des Ormes, 78560 Le Port-Marly, France

Opening Hours: 10 am-6 pm Saturday and Sunday

                           2-6 pm Friday and Wednesday

                          10 am-12:30 pm, 2-6 pm Tuesday and Thursday

5. Chateau Comtal

Photo by Dennis Jarvis. Wikimedia Commons

you would never mish to miss out on the oldest castle in Paris. Chateau Comtal is an iconic castle that was built in the 12^th century and looks like a movie backdrop. The castle played a very significant role during the Albigensian Crusade which was one of the most tolerant towns in regards to religious secularity which caused it to be attacked by the Pope’s order.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Address: 11000 Carcassonne, France

Opening Hours: 9:30 am-4:45 pm Monday to Sunday

6. Chateau De Chambord

Chateau De Chambord is one of the most spectacular castles outside of Paris located in the Loire Valley which is a major destination for tourists. The castle is the largest in the valley was constructed in the 16^th century and contains a mixture of French renaissance architecture and gothic design. Since it is built near a river it is one of the most iconic moats of all palaces.

Learn more about Top 10 Interesting Facts about Chateau de Chambord here

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Address: Chateau, 41250 Chambord, France

Opening Hours: 9 am-6 pm Monday to Sunday

7. Chateau De Breteuil

Chateau de Breteuil. Photo by Neokeitaro. Wikimedia Commons

It is amazing how such a magnificent monument steals the hearts of many. Chateau De Breteuil is one of the beautiful castles located near Paris about 22 miles southwest of Paris. The cause was constructed in the 17^th century and inhabited by the Breteuil family. In 1973 the structure was declared a historical monument. Currently, the impressive monument is used as a national natural park to display the beautiful architecture, stunning overlooks, and beautifully designed gardens.

How to Prepare for a Day Trip from Paris

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Address: 78460 Choisel, France

Opening Hours: 10 am-7 pm Monday to Sunday

8. Palace of Versailles

Palace of Versailles is one of the exciting places to be and explore the most famous hallways of the Palace. The palace was a formal French royal residence and it is the most visited globally due to its rich historical significance. Being the major source of French culture, history, art, and pride it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in1979. The most visited places in the palace include the beautiful gardens with water fountains, royal stables, and the residence of Marie-Antoinette.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Book this tour with us: VERSAILLES PALACE & GARDENS

Address: Place d’Armes, 78000 Versailles, France

Opening Hours: 9 am-6:30 pm Tuesday to Sunday

9. Chateau De La Roche Courbon

Are you looking for a wonderland among the Paris castles during a day trip? Chateau De La Roche Courbon is a place to be and explore beautiful architecture. The castle was constructed in the 15^th century by Jehan de Latour and later in 1920; the castle was bought by Paul Chenereau. The castle is still owned and inhabited by his descendants to date. Apart from the magnificent architecture, there is also well-designed lush greenery, fountains, and a small lake.

Explore with us: 10 Super Cheap Day Trips From Paris

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Address: Rue de la Belle au Bois Dormant, 17250 Saint-Porchaire, France

Opening Hours: 10 am-12 pm, 2-6:30 pm Monday to Sunday

10. Chateau De Vincennes

Chateau de Vincennes is the home of the highest dungeon in Europe which is easily accessible through the stone bridge. Due to its phenomenon of defensive architecture, intricate design, and geographical position, it was preferred mostly by the French kings. In the 19^th century, the palace was however converted into a defense fort for the protection of Paris.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Address: Av. De Paris, 94300 Vincennes, France

Opening Hours: 10 am-5 pm Monday to Sunday

We have several other types of tours available in Paris, check them out here. Enjoy your trip!!