Chateau de Maintenon
Madame Scarron, born Françoise d’Aubigné, was governess to the illegitimate children of Louis XIV when, with the help of the king, she bought the Château de Maintenon in 1674. Over the years she gained the king’s trust and friendship, becoming his lover and closest companion. The property gave her new status, especially when the king addressed her publicly as Madame de Maintenon. Following the queen’s death, Madame de Maintenon became the secret wife of Louis XIV, a union that lasted 32 years until the king’s death.
Today, the Château de Maintenon remains an attractive mix of medieval and Renaissance architecture. It is completely furnished and includes bedrooms, a library and chapel, all open to the public. But, Maintenon’s most famous, and perhaps most photogenic, feature is the unfinished aqueduct that runs through its grounds. A project of the Sun King’s to supply water to the many fountains of Versailles.
Madame de Maintenon was not thrilled with the mud and construction behind her home. So, Louis XIV had the marsh, which separated the house from the aqueduct, drained and turned into an elegant canal surrounded by formal gardens, all designed by Le Nôtre. With the new landscaping complete, the chateau’s rear courtyard wall was torn down and the magnificent view opened up. Louis later gave Madame de Maintenon the unfinished aqueduct as a gift, a romantic ruin to complement her garden.
Getting there
Maintenon is less than an hour’s train ride from Paris’ Gare Montparnasse.
Open
From 3 April to 30 June and 1 September to 3 October, open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., closed on Tuesday. From 1 July to 31 August, open daily from 10:30 to 19:00.
From 4 October to 12 December, open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., closed on Tuesday.
Rates:
Adult Full price - Guided tour: 8,50 € / Adult Full price - Open: 6.50 € / children 7-18 years: 3 € / free for children under 7 years
More information on www.chateaudemaintenon.fr
Beauvais a town of art and history
The town of Beauvais or "Caesaromagus" (Cesar'market) was an important Gallo-Roman town until the middle of the 3rd Century after JC.
In the 4th Century, 10 meters high ramparts were built to fortify the town. You can still see some of them in the streets : Jean Racine, Philippe de Dreux. To reinforce the ramparts, the Tour Boileau was added. The remains can still be seen on the Saint Jean Street.
From 13th to the 18th century, the economic growth of the town developed around the Royal Manufacture of Tapestry and the production of cloth, exported as far afield as the Orient.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, the town become famous for its pottery and architectural ceramics.
Historic Monuments to visit
Cathedral of Saint-Pierre
Unusually proportioned, the Cathedral of Saint Pierre is an architectural marvel, with its gothic choir which has the highest vault in the world and its astronomical clock.
Open from 1 April to 31 October: 9.00am-12.15pm / 2.00pm-6.15p, from 1 July to 31 August : 9.00am-6.15pm and from 1 November to 31 March : 9.00am-12.15pm / 2.00pm-5.30pm
Free entry
Hiring of audioguides : adults : 3€ - 16-25yrs old : 2€ - 6-15yrs old : 1€
Medieval clock
Built about the same period as the gothic choir of the Cathedral, a medieval chiming clock dating from the 14th Century can be seen in the Chapel of Sainte Therese in the St Pierre Cathedral. Commissioned in 1302 by Etienne Musique, the chimes were originally designed to signal the different daily religious office's. Despite numerous transformations, it is probably the oldest chiming clock still in working order, 700 years of time keeping in the heart of the Cathedral.
Open from 1 May to 31 October : 10.40am - 11.40am - 2.40pm - 3.40pm - 4.40pm
Week-end : 5.40 pm. Added performances from 1 July to 31 August : 12.40pm - 5.40pm Winter season - from 1 November to 30 April : 11.40am - 2.40pm - 3.40pm
Week-end : 10.40am - 4.40pm
Entrance tickets : adults : 4 € - 16-25yrs old : 2,5 € - 6-15yrs old : 1€
Also worth visiting are The Saint-Etienne Church, Marissel's Church, Region of Oise Museum and Greber'House.
Getting there
Beauvais is located 1 hour from Paris and is easily accessed by road via motorway (Autoroute A16), and by rail from the train station (2 minutes from town centre).
You can catch a train every hour from Beauvais to Paris (Gare du Nord) and every half an hour on busy periods. (Beauvais-Paris : 1 hour 10 minutes).
More information on www.beauvaistourisme.fr
Not Far Away From Beauvais
Medieval village of Gerberoy
Listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France, Gerberoy offers a picturesque site of winding paved streets, and 17th and 18th Century houses built in brick, flint, wood and cob.
The village is situated between Normandie and Picardie on a hill of 188 meters high.
The 17th Century brick town hall, with its covered market, houses on the first floor a small museum containing local archives, examples of local "Beauvaisian Pottery", paintings and some artefacts of the painter Henri Le Sidaner (1862-1939).
Free access to the village everyday.
You can visit the museum in June, July and August from 2.30pm to 6.30pm.
The museum is closed every Tuesday.
For further info visit www.gerberoy.net
Provins - Unesco World Heritage Town
Provins is a real showcase of medieval architecture (military, religious and civil) and it is one of the few towns in France that can boast of over fifty listed Monuments with historical value.
Thus, Provins was inscribed on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List since the 13th December 2001.
What To See
The ramparts, the Saint-Jean's and the Jouy gates.
The two fortified gates have been erected under Philippe le Bel. They are remarkable examples of the royal doors of the 14th century.
The ramparts have been built between the 11th and the 13th centuries. They developed as the town grew, eventually measuring as much as 5 kilometres in length. These impressive fortifications, over 25 meters tall, were built by Count Thibaut IV of Champagne from 1226 to 1236. You can safely access the ramparts through the Porte de Jouy. Free
SOUND & LIGHT SHOW OF PROVINS
This wonderful evening show brings medieval Provins to life: the epic story of Thibaud of Champagne, the feudal lords and falconry, the fairs of Champagne, the rose of Provins, lepers and conflicts, dances and merriment, the seasons and village life...
In June, in the Gardens of the Fransiscan Abbey (Couvent des Cordelières) in the Downtown. sonlumiere.provins.free.fr
THE MEDIEVAL FESTIVAL OF PROVINS
Travel in the Middle Ages thanks to 2000 persons taking part in this famous medieval festival (the nobility, lepers, musicians, troubadours, craftsmen, etc.). Many entertainments and activities in the streets, soldiers’ camps in the ramparts, etc.
On Saturday night, in the Villecran area across from the Tourist Office, troubadours, storytellers and musicians will enliven a medieval banquet.
In June, in all the streets of the Upper Town. www.provins-medieval.com
Getting there:
By train - Gare de l'Est station in Paris to Provins.
SNCF cards: Carte Orange, Mobilis and Paris Visite (member partner), 6 zones.
Schedules and fares at www.transilien.com
Saint-Germain-en-Laye
Saint-Germain-en-Laye main attraction is its castle and terrace designed by Le Nôtre. It is one of the most beautiful residences of the kings of France. Oak trees, dating to the reign of Louis XIV can be seen in the forest, that stretches over 3500 hectares.
The Old Castle was built at the request of François 1er by Pierre Chambiges, who used the foundations of a pentagon-shaped fortress built in the fourteenth century by Charles V.
Louis XIV made it his residence in Saint-Germain-en-Laye from 1666 to 1681. Saint-Germain-en-Laye became the de facto seat of government of the kingdom. The general configuration of the city center dates from this period.
Today, it houses a National Museum of Archaeology.
Getting there
RER - Terminus of the RER line A1 - Saint-Germain-en-Laye
Trains to Paris from 5:05 to 0:17, the last return to Saint-Germain-en-Laye at 1:15.
All times on www.ratp.fr
More Info on www.ot-saintgermainenlaye.fr
Chateau de Rambouillet
The castle built in the fourteenth century, was always a home for royalty and today is a presidential field that hosts periodically heads of state invited to France. It has beautiful interiors, and beautiful oak woodwork from the 18th century. It is framed by a French garden.
Open every day except Tuesdays, holidays except during presidential visits.
April 1 to September 30 from 10 am -12 am and 14 h -18 h October 1 to March 31 from 10 am -12 h and 14 h -17 h
Closed on 1 January, 1 May, 1 and 11 November and 25 December.
Getting there by train
33 minutes from train station Paris Montparnasse
19 minutes from train station Versailles Chantiers
28 minutes from Chartres
More Information on
Chateau d’Ecouen
Chateau D’Ecouen is today The National Renaissance Museum worth visiting for it’s great collection as well as elaborate gardens.
Écouen, Val d'oise (95), Ile-de-France
Open daily (including Tuesday) from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. during the summer (15 April to 30 September) and from 8.00 to 18.00 in winter.
The park entrance is free.
Closed 1 January and 25 December.
Free 1st Sunday of the month all year
More info on www.musee-renaissance.fr
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Impressionists Trail
Île de Chatou - Bougival - Marly-le-Roi
The Country of the Impressionists ® is created by seven municipalities sharing a common artistic past.
In nineteenth century, Renoir, Pissarro, Monet, Sisley, Morisot, and other painters came to live in these places. They’ve painted some of the best works of art, which reflect the history of these cities. Included among the most famous works are "Luncheon of the Boating Party" by Auguste Renoir, "The Flood at Port-Marly by Alfred Sisley or" The Grenouillere "by Claude Monet.
The best way to discover the Country of the Impressionists ® is to follow the route of the path of the Impressionists.
Île de Chatou
A long narrow island in the Seine, the Île de Chatou, between Rueil-Malmaison and St-Germain-en-Laye, was once a rustic spot where Parisians came on the newly opened train line to row on the river, and to dine, dance and flirt at the guinguettes – the classic Parisian dancehall-restaurants on the riverbank.
Luncheon of the Boating Party (1881) Pierre-Auguste Renoir. The painting depicts a group of Renoir’s friends relaxing on a balcony at the Maison Fournaise along the Seine River in Chatou, France. A favourite haunt of artists was the Maison Fournaise, just below the Pont de Chatou road bridge, which is now once again a pleasant restaurant (closed Sun evening in winter; tel 01.30.71.41.91; menu 25), with a small museum of memorabilia (Wed–Sun noon–6pm).
Access to the island is from the Rueil-Malmaison RER stop. Take the exit avenue Albert-1er, go left out of the station and right along the dual carriageway onto the bridge – a ten-minute walk.
River cruises round Chatou or as far as Auvers-sur-Oise (an all-day expedition) depart from the Capitainerie on the Rueil-Malmaison bank of the Seine, opposite the Maison Fournaise (May–Oct Sundays and public holidays; 40/58 depending on the cruise, with obligatory lunch; tel 01.47.16.72.66 for tickets and information).
More information about Chatou on www.chatou.fr
Marly-le-Roi
Places to see
Park at Marly-le Roi
Louis XIV's more intimate residence, Marly-le-Roi, was destroyed during the revolution, and you will only find a beautiful park at it’s place. However, the Musée Promenade Marly-le-Roi, (open Wed–Sun 2–6pm; €3.05) documents the history of Marly Château through paintings, etchings and architectural plans of the Château.
Chateau de Monte Cristo
Alexandre Dumas had built the castle of Monte Cristo in 1844, after the success of the Three Musketeers and Count of Monte Cristo. The property includes a landscaped garden with caves and rock pools, which are inscribed in the castle of Monte Cristo.
The permanent exhibition aims to explore the life and works of Alexander Dumas. On the first floor is a stunning piece, an authentic Moorish lounge.
Open: Monday and Tuesday from 9am to 12pm.Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9am to 12pm and from 14 to 17.30. Saturday and Sunday from 14 to 17.30. Closed holidays.
More information on www.marlyleroi-tourisme.fr
and www.chateau-monte-cristo.com
Getting There
By train
Paris Saint-Lazare (station) direction Saint-Nom-la-Breteche, or stop Louveciennes, Marly le-Roi.
By RER Line A, stop at Saint-Germain-en-Laye, starting Auber, Etoile, Chatelet, then bus No. 10 company Veolia Transport to Marly-le-Roi and No. 1 in Louveciennes.
More Day trips from Paris
Getting there
By car
Access by the motorway (19 km from Paris):
. A1 motorway from Porte de la Chapelle
. Follow Roissy CDG
. Release Goussainville
Cergy-Pontoise. On the Francilienne (D104)
. Cergy-Pontoise
. Then RD 316 (N16) towards Paris
By train (SNCF):
. North Station commuter: H line (route 30 or 31)
25 minutes. Persian-direction Beaumont / Luzarches by Monsoult
. Off-station Ecouen Ezanville
. Then bus 269, direction Garges-Sarcelles (5 min)
. Previous Stop / Church. Or join the museum on foot from the station (20 min) through the forest. For more information: www.transilien.com
Chateau d’Anet
In 1547 Diane de Poitiers, Duchess of Valentinois and mistress of king Henri II of France, started building the château d’Anet . Within five years the work was accomplished, under the direction of the famous architect Philibert de l'Orme and with the assistance of Benvetuno Cellini, Germain Pilon, Jean Cousin and Léonard Limousin .
In 1566, Diane de Poitiers died at Anet. In accordance with her wishes, her daughter, Louise de Brézé, Duchess of Aumale, erected near the château a chapel (which has just been restored ) in which Diane's tomb was to rest .
The château d'Anet is situated at 78 km of Paris and at 16 km from Dreux .
Getting There
By car
From Porte Maillot in Paris take the motorway A14 then the A13 (towards Rouen), take exit N°12 to Mantes Sud then follow D 928 (towards Dreux)
Open
From April the 1st to October the 31st : Every day (except Tuesday) from 2 pm to 6 pm.
From the 1st to the 30th of November and from February the 1st to March the 31st :
Saturdays and sundays from 2 pm to 5 pm.
More info on http://www.chateaudanet.com
Save money
The Tourist Office’s “Visitez malin!” operation was born of the desire to create a network of historic sites that are geographically close together and have the same visitor profiles.
You visit one of the four following sites with a full price... and you get a special price for all the others!
The partners:
Provins, the medieval fair town, listed on the Unesco World Heritage. (77)
www.provins.net
The castle of Vaux-le-Vicomte, included in France's National Inventory of Historical Monuments. (77)
www.vaux-le-vicomte.com
The castle of Fontainebleau, royal castle (77)
www.chateaudefontainebleau.fr
Guédelon, they are building a medieval fortress. (89)
www.guedelon.fr
More Information on www.provins.net