Fontainebleau Castle viewed from the Forest © French Moments
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Last Updated: 5 March 2020

The Paris Region known as the Île de France is often bypassed by visitors drawn by the heart of Paris. Apart from the highly-popular Palace of Versailles, other famous châteaux and parks are worth a visit. Within 10 days we set to discover 7 of them either in central Paris or in the surrounding départements: the Louvre, the Palais du Luxembourg, Sceaux, Maisons-Laffitte, Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Fontainebleau and Versailles. Follow our photographic journey!


Le Louvre

One of the world’s grandest royal palaces, the Louvre is also home to the world’s largest museum.  Its main courtyard is dominated by the modern glass pyramid and opens onto the Historical Axis of Paris.

The Louvre © French Moments
The Louvre © French Moments
The Louvre © French Moments
The Louvre © French Moments
The Louvre © French Moments
Archway, Louvre © French Moments

Find out more about the Louvre.


Le Palais du Luxembourg

The palace is the seat of the French Senate. Built for Marie de Medicis, the massive building is bordered by a beautiful garden: le Jardin du Luxembourg.

Luxembourg Palace from the garden © French Moments
The Luxembourg Garden © French Moments
Palais du Luxembourg French Flag © French Moments
The French flag floating above the Palais du Luxembourg, seat of the French Senate © French Moments
Luxembourg Palace Detail of Pediment © French Moments
Luxembourg Palace, Detail of Pediment © French Moments

Find out more about the Garden of Luxembourg.


Le Château de Sceaux

With its grand country house look, the château de Sceaux is surrounded by a vast park. The present-day castle was rebuilt in Louis XIII style for the Duke of Trévise in 1856-1862.

Entrance of Parc de Sceaux © French Moments
Entrance of Parc de Sceaux © French Moments
Chateau de Sceaux © French Moments
Chateau de Sceaux © French Moments
Detail of Chateau de Sceaux © French Moments
Detail of Chateau de Sceaux © French Moments
Chateau of Sceaux from Park © French Moments
Chateau of Sceaux from the Park © French Moments

Le Château de Maisons-Laffitte

The chateau of Maisons is a fine example of French Baroque architecture and a reference point in the history of French architecture. It opens onto a park that leads to the nearby forest of Saint-Germain.

Entrance to the chateau of Maisons-Laffitte © French Moments
Entrance to the chateau of Maisons-Laffitte © French Moments
Wrought-Iron Gate, Maisons-Laffitte © French Moments
Wrought-Iron Gate, Maisons-Laffitte © French Moments
At the chateau of Maisons-Laffitte © French Moments
At the chateau of Maisons-Laffitte © French Moments
Chateau of Maisons-Laffitte © French Moments
Chateau of Maisons-Laffitte © French Moments
Chateau of Maisons-Laffitte © French Moments
Chateau of Maisons-Laffitte © French Moments

Find out more about Maisons-Laffitte.


Le Château-Vieux de Saint-Germain-en-Laye

A castle was initially built on the site in the 12th century by the French kings and reconstructed by François I. King Louis XIV spent several years in the castle from 1666 to 1681 when he moved to Versailles.

Today it houses the National Museum of Archaeology.

Roof of Saint-Germain-en-Laye castle © French Moments
Roof of Saint-Germain-en-Laye castle © French Moments
Roof of Saint-Germain-en-Laye Castle 29 copyright French Moments
The gardens seen from the roof of the Saint-Germain-en-Laye castle © French Moments
Saint-Germain-en-Laye Chapel © French Moments
Inside the chapel, Castle of Saint-Germain-en-Laye © French Moments
Saint-Germain-en-Laye Castle Stained-Glass © French Moments
Inside the chapel, Castle of Saint-Germain-en-Laye © French Moments
Roof of Saint-Germain-en-Laye Castle 2 © French Moments
Roof of the castle of Saint-Germain-en-Laye © French Moments

Find out more about the Castle of Saint-Germain-en-Laye.


Le Château de Fontainebleau

A hunting lodge was built by the French kings in the middle of a forest as early as the 12th century. It later became a vast chateau in the 16th century under the reign of King François I. In the 19th century, Napoleon resided in the palace with his entourage. The stunning park is stunning includes a formal and two english-style gardens.

Etang des Carpes 02 Chateau de Fontainebleau © French Moments
Etang des Carpes and Chateau de Fontainebleau © French Moments
Fontainebleau Castle viewed from the Forest © French Moments
Fontainebleau Castle © French Moments
Etang aux Carpes Chateau de Fontainebleau © French Moments
Fontainebleau in Autumn © French Moments

Fontainebleau Castle viewed from the Forest © French Moments

Fontainebleau Castle Interior 03 © French Moments
Inside the castle of Fontainebleau © French Moments
Fontainebleau Castle Interior 01 © French Moments
The throne room © French Moments

Le Château de Versailles

The royal palace of Versailles has gigantic dimensions. Everywhere the emblem of the Louis XIV, the Sun King, can be found. From the Court of Honour to the Hall of Mirrors, the palace brings us back to the peak of its glory when it was the Seat of the King’s power and authority.

Versailles Palace © French Moments
Versailles Palace © French Moments
Railings at Versailles © French Moments
Railings at Versailles © French Moments
Hall of Mirrors in Palace of Versailles © French Moments
Hall of Mirrors in Palace of Versailles © French Moments
Hameau de Marie-Antoinette Versailles 02 © French Moments
Hameau de Marie-Antoinette, Versailles © French Moments

 


 

Gems of Paris by French Moments
About the author

Pierre is a French/Australian who is passionate about France and its culture. He grew up in France and Germany and has also lived in Australia and England. He has a background teaching French, Economics and Current Affairs, and holds a Master of Translating and Interpreting English-French with the degree of Master of International Relations, and a degree of Economics and Management. Pierre is the author of Discovery Courses and books about France.

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