The 8 Best Tours of Palaces and Castles in Paris

For centuries France was part of a monarchy, hence its variety of castles and palaces in different cities. In the surroundings of the City of Light you can find some of the most beautiful and emblematic ones. There are world-renowned options and you cannot leave without visiting the Palace of Versailles or Chateau de Fontainebleau, as they top the best things to see that Paris.

They are on the outskirts and this is because Louis XIV wanted them to be in quieter surroundings, such as the Loire Valley and Saint-Germain en Laye. For this reason, I recommend you consider excursions from Paris or guided tours of their grounds. This way, you won't have to worry about transfers and you will know every detail of the palaces.

I can't imagine a visit to Paris where the Palace of Versailles is not included. You can't miss the place where the Treaty of Versailles was signed, which ended the First World War. In addition, it baptized the French monarchy by becoming the first royal residence of the country.

It was originally a hunting lodge and since it became a palace it has undergone countless transformations. A guided tour is the best option to see the Palace of Versailles from all angles and you can't miss:

• The King's and Queen's chambers.
• The Hall of Mirrors.
• The Versailles Gardens.
• The estate of Marie Antoinette.

One of the tips to see the Palace of Versailles that I want to give you is to consider an excursion to Versailles with a guided tour of its facilities. This makes transfers easier and allows you to know the context behind each element that characterizes this former royal residence.

In addition, there are golf cart tours and private tours for those who prefer a more intimate encounter.

Details of interest

• Price: tickets to the Palace of Versailles start at €24 and guided experiences start at €36.
• Duration: approximately six hours.
• Means of transport: some tours usually include transfers and it is the most convenient because it is on the outskirts. If you are going to get to the Palace of Versailles on your own you have to take line C of the RER.
• Advantages of this option: it usually includes skip-the-line entry to the palace, access to the gardens and to Marie Antoinette's estate. If you choose it, you can enjoy the Carriage Gallery on weekends and a musical show at the fountain.
• Disadvantages of this option: it has a night show, but it is not included in all visit options.

The Palace of Fontainebleau is the only residence occupied by all French monarchs from the 12th to the 19th century. You will love it because inside you will find the most decorated French palace. Its frescoes and private chambers are something worth seeing.

A guided tour is the best way to enjoy its different galleries, among which the Gallery of Francis I is an irrefutable proof of Renaissance. You will also have access to its impressive gardens headed by the Great Parterre, the English Garden and the Garden of Diana. Each space has so many elements and stories that have made it the House of the Century.

Details of interest

• Price: tickets are available from 14 € per person. You can also choose tours from 33 € and combined experiences with other castles for 116 €. In addition, the gardens are free and the palace can be visited free of charge on the first Sunday of each month (except July and August).
• Duration: two to four hours, but combined tours can last up to nine hours.
• Means of transport: the tours usually include transfers, but if you go on your own you can take the train from Gare de Lyon station to Fontainebleau-Avon station.
• Advantages of this option: guided tours usually include an audio guide and can even be combined with other experiences.

You could say that the Vaux-le-Vicomtes Palace is an open book of history. Let's start with the fact that it was the inspiration for the Palace of Versailles, as it is said that after a visit King Louis XIV was enchanted and ordered an exact replica.

Its original owner was the architect Nicolas Fourquet, who inspired the movie The Man in the Iron Mask. In fact, some scenes were filmed in the palace.

This palace was hard to overshadow and for years was the epicenter of banquets in its gardens and exquisitely decorated rooms. During a guided tour you can explore the history of its different owners and get to know it in detail. You will discover the Carriage Museum and let the hologram of Fourquet himself take you through his exhibition, where you will learn about his quarrel with the king and how he created the palace.

Each visit is different, but in general many people come to see the water show that takes place every day in the fountains. It is possible to climb the dome and see the grounds with 360° views. In addition, from time to time they organize the Grand Century Day, a trip to the 17th century with characters dressed in period costumes.

Or perhaps, if you plan to visit Paris in June you can take advantage of the fact that the palace offers the Night of Candles, a magical event that takes place every Saturday between June and September and consists of the lighting of 2,000 candles in its gardens.

Details of interest

• Price: the entrance to the palace and gardens starts at 17 € and the price rises when the Saturday evening is included. In addition, access to the dome may have an additional cost of 5 € and guided tours from Paris are around 188 €.
• Duration: one to two hours, if you go with a combined tour you must book at least nine hours.
• Means of transport: it is in Maincy east of Paris and some tours usually include transfers, but if you go on your own you can take the train from Gare de Lyon station to Melun station.
• Advantages of this option: enjoy a guided experience with skip-the-line access.
• Disadvantages of this option: it is a time-consuming visit. If you plan to visit Paris in 1 day or in a short time you may want to prioritize other activities.

If I were you, I would not miss the Château de Vincennes and the opportunity to discover its many uses throughout history. Its walls witnessed royal marriages as well as the cruelest executions in French history. Beyond its opulence, it was used as a fortress during wars, as a prison and as a military arsenal.

Inside you cannot miss the keep, one of the tallest medieval specimens in Europe. You must also explore its chapel, where the relics of the Passion of Christ were kept. Of course, you have to take a look at the kings' quarters.

In addition, the castle is famous for its Segway tours that allow you to see another side of the castle. It is one of the best Segway tours in Paris because you can see all the buildings of the castle, the Minimes Lake and the Grand Pagoda in a comfortable way. Enjoy the adrenaline of getting lost in the forest of Vincennes or relax among the paths of its gardens.

Details of interest

• Price: tickets to the castle are available from 14 €. The cost of a segway tour can start at 62 €.
• Duration: approximately three hours.
• Means of transport: usually a meeting point is set near the castle, but it is very easy to get there by public transport in Paris.
• Advantages of this option: it usually includes a professional guide and during the winter season it is provided anti-cold cover for the handlebars, gloves and ponchos if necessary.
• Disadvantages of this option: the interior of the castle is not kept in good condition.

The Loire Valley was one of the king's hideouts, which is why the Châteaux de Loire were built here. It is a complex of 12 palatial buildings located an hour and a half from Paris. It seems complicated to see them all, so I would recommend you to start with the most important ones like Chenonceau, Chambord and Amboise.

During a trip to the Loire Castles you can see the tomb of Da Vinci and discover what his last years of life were like. To give you an idea of what you will see, here's why these castles are so popular.

• Chambord Castle: the largest in the Loire Valley.
• Château de Chenonceau: a castle built only by women.
• Amboise Castle: one of the oldest French castles.

The area is also known for its wine tasting, a very typical activity in France. If you plan to indulge in wine and cheese tasting in Paris, you can't miss an experience in the middle of the Loire, famous for its sweet wines, multifaceted vineyards and tastings with unparalleled landscapes in the background.

Details of interest

• Price: you can take advantage of guided tours from 155 € which usually include all entrance fees. If you go on your own, consider that each castle sells its tickets separately.
• Duration: a tour can take around 12 hours.
• Means of transport: usually covers all transfers.
• Advantages of this option: may include French wine tasting.
• Disadvantages of this option: not recommended for people with a short itinerary.

If you are looking for less crowded palaces you have to let yourself be amazed by the Chantilly Palace. It has one of the most exquisite collections of French art in the Condé Museum. In addition, every corner looks like something out of a fairy tale. Here you can see furnishings immortalized in time and the private apartments of royalty.

You can't miss the Hall of the Guards that joins the Grand Palace with a smaller section, known as the former Petit Palais. It also has an impressive library, listed as one of the most important in France.

It is so large that seeing it on your own can be overwhelming, so the palace offers guided tours at an affordable price for you to discover the large stables and the oddities of the French Garden, English Garden and Anglo-Chinese Garden.

Most interestingly, it is in the town of Chantilly, where the famous Chantilly cream was created. Therefore, the palace offers cooking workshops to learn how to prepare it. In addition, you can rent period costumes for the kids and enjoy demonstrations of royal horses.

Interesting details

• Price: entrance to the palace is available from 10 € and you can get an information booklet for an additional fee. Guided tours have an additional cost to the entrance fee of about 7 €.
• Duration: two to four hours.
• Means of transport: some guided tours allow you to select transfers. If you go on your own, you have to take the train to Chantilly-Gouvieux station.
• Advantages of this option: discounts on admission and guided tours are offered for children and young people under 25.
• Disadvantages of this option: the palace is closed to the public on Tuesdays.

Another mystical place linked to the French monarchy is the Maisons-Laffitte Palace It is famous for jewels such as Cabinet des Miroirs, a room full of mirrors. In addition, its stairs will take your breath away because it is difficult to get something similar in other castles.

Here I would recommend a guided tour to learn every detail about its construction. There are even private and personalized tours to learn the secrets of the royal apartments. Some of their guided activities take you on a time travel through their estates and the cellars of the north wing, which are not always open to the public.

Details of interest

• Price: the entrance fee starts at 9 € and an information brochure is provided in English and French. Guided tours have an additional cost of around 8 €.
• Duration: about two hours.
• Means of transport: not usually included in the guided tours, but you have several bus options and a train to Maisons-Laffitte station.
• Advantages of this option: they offer free schedules the third week of September, although it does not include guided tours.

Discover the birthplace of Henri II, Charles IX, Louis XIV and Queen Margot. The Château Saint-Germain in Laye is an impressive site with terraces overlooking the Seine valley. It was a favorite retreat for monarchs, but over time it became a military arsenal and even a prison. It deteriorated, but managed to recover to save the furniture and the original facade.

Today it is possible to visit it and take the opportunity to visit the National Museum of Archeology, which is a museum in a castle; something peculiar that characterizes the old French royal residences. You can see exhibits from the Middle Ages and the Neolithic that correspond to archaeological finds and objects rescued from the castle.

Interesting details

• Price: entrance to the castle is available for around 6 €. Guided tours are available from 5 €, depending on the selected duration.
• Duration: from one to two hours, depending on the type of visit chosen.
• Means of transport: you must arrive on your own by train to Saint-Germain-en-Laye station.
• Disadvantages of this option: guides may only speak French and some areas may be closed to the public.