Castles to visit Ile-De-France

At the start of the Ulis, the 12 kilometers that await you with sports pleasure and heritage discovery. And for the reason: your first step is only the Domaine Saint-Jean-de-Beauregard! Classified as a historic monument, it is open to visit, so why not take advantage of your walk to stop there? If its th century castle is the «nail of the show», don't miss the park, its vegetable garden and its pigeon house. Your journey will then lead you to the domain of Janvry, another architectural pearl of the XVII - unfortunately it does not visit. Not far away, stop before "the Song", another remains: Gérard Philippe and Coco Chanel stayed there. Then go to the Hameau hamlet. Then, before reaching Gometz-la-Ville, at the level of the lift station, go up the path along the castle park: you will then find the road that will bring you back to the right port.

Tariff: free; visit of the Saint-Jean-de-Beauregard area: 8 € (free for people under 8), open from 15 March to 15 November, every Sunday and holidays from 14 am to 18 pm, except during the holidays.

Distance: 12 km.

Duration: 2 h.

Difficulty: .

Markup: balisage of the Community of communes of the Country of Intermunicipality (7 terminals present at each intersection); part of the route takes the GR of the Hurepoix (yellow-red).

This castle, private property registered in the inventory of historical monuments, opens its doors only for seminars and other receptions. What a pity. The wooded area hides an enchanting décor, the courtyard side as a garden side. The castle has retained the four-block plan of the Middle Ages, which is 45 m apart, dotted with a moat and stretched by 4 towers, the most important - and the oldest - date of the th century. In 1399, the sources mentioned a special hotel in these places. The communes were reworked in the th century, the main body was reworked and rebuilt in the th century and stretches on two floors, under a steep climb covered with ancient tiles. A fonte et and glass complemented the park.

Built at the end of the th century by Count Robert I of Dreux, fifth brother of King Louis VII, true fortress with integrated dungeon, characteristic of medieval architecture of the th century, he is the only one in Ile-de-France to present a square plan flanked by six round towers and two square towers surrounded by moat. He is the object of excavations, regularly delivers his treasures and nourishes an evolutionary exhibition over the discoveries.

Surrounded by a 110 ha park and a pond dotted with giant rhododendrons, the Neuville Castle offers an enchanting setting. His story began in 1560 when Joachim de Bellengreville, Provost Marshal of the Hotel du Roy ordered its construction. After having experienced several owners, the residence was rebuilt in 1756 by Marchioness Agnes de Revol, who edited his defensive appearance and bestowed his current form, before surrendering it in 1765 to Clément del Averdy, Comptroller General of Finance and Benefactor for Gambais. After a period of abandonment and wars, the castle, recorded from its ruins by the family of Labriffe, still owner. In the 1960 s, it was taken in hands and classified as historic monument. The area has been the subject of regular catering campaigns and now houses seminars and weddings in the sumptuous setting of elegant lounges with antique furniture. Many film shoots took place there like Ane's skin, the Dangerous links, Cyrano or ridiculous. In the park, on the outskirts of the castle, lies the Neuville de Neuville, a large building built in the early th century, more rustic than the castle, where you can also organize receptions.

At the end of a vast rehabilitation and development project, the English park offers a superb space of nearly 20 ha of walking with a wide variety of species (giant redwood, Atlas blue cedar) and 300 m of French perspective. The artist Xavier Veilhan, the architects Bona and Lemercier and the scenographer Alexis Bertrand have realized an exceptional and exciting project. The development of clearings now makes it possible to host various events on the art of gardens, as well as the trophy room and the Turkish baths, which become exhibition rooms. The castle museum is the highlight of this work! With its facades covered with ice and metalized panels, it enhances the park and fascinates visitors, especially on sunny days when it contrasts remarkably with the green spaces, bodies of water and the blue sky around it. Inside, the exhibitions on offer are often very original. An access to its panoramic roof allows you to have a nice view of part of the park.

Château du Saussay in Ballancourt, 45 km south of Paris, is a rare ensemble of two 18th-century châteaux. Built on the ruins of a feudal castle, it faces the entrance to a romantic park surrounded by water. Inside, the reception rooms evoke the lives of the illustrious figures who have lived in the château. Listed on the Inventaire Supplémentaire des Monuments Historiques since 1951, the château is open to visitors. It is also possible to organize professional film shoots. However, receptions are not accepted.