South of Paris, the château de Vaux-le-Vicomte and its attractive French gardens created by the 17th century’s leading artists – architect Louis Le Veau, interior decorator Charles Le Brun and landscape architect André Le Nôtre – was the inspiration for the Château de Versailles. On 1661, Nicolas Fouquet gave a sumptuous reception in honor of Louis XIV. In a fit of jealousy at a show of such splendor, the king had him imprisoned for life. Recapture some of the magic of the famous party of August 17, 1661 with the candlelight evenings.

Staying south of Paris, the château de Fontainebleau is a marvel of French art and architecture. Built in the 12th century, it witnessed some extraordinary chapters in French history, from de Middle Ages to the Renaissance. A royal residence for nearly eight centuries, it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In 1981, Napoleon I said it all when he referred to it as “The true home of kings, the house of ages”.

To the west of Paris, the château of Malmaison is an elegant residence decorated in the Empire style which was the private home of Napoleon and Joséphine from 1799. After their divorce in 1809, Joséphine withdrew to the house, where she died in 1814. Her passion for botany is well known and the rose garden is a precious witness. A fascinating insight into the private life of the imperial couple.

Set in the Forest of Rambouillet, west of Paris, this former royal residence set the stage for great names in French history – Francis I, Louis XVI and Napoleon I – and several presidents of the French Republic. It is in the château de Rambouillet that King Francis I died on March 31, 1547, in the tower that bears his name today. In the park, don’t miss Queen Marie-Antoinette’s dairy where she liked to play the farmer’s wife.

A tad megalomaniac, Alexandre Dumas, at the height of his fame, wanted somewhere he could escape the pressures of Parisian life.

To the west of the city, close to Saint-Germain-en-Laye, he had this heaven, the château de Monte-Cristo, built in 1844, and named it after the character in his own novel.

Here, he likes to isolate himself in his study which he nicknamed the castle of If where fishes, monkeys, parrots and even a vulture keep him company!

Have fun finding characters from his novels engraved in the stone walls.

Starting from Alexandre Dumas’ house enjoy a romantic weekend along the Seine taking in the great outdoors and the rich local heritage.

Built in an oasis of greenery to the east of Paris, on a bend in the River Marne, the château des Champs-sur-Marne is a gem of Classical architecture which gives a glimpse of the 18th-century art of living. A ride all in charm and elegance, as at the time when the Marquise de Pompadour, loved by King Louis XV but jealous by courtiers, came to take refuge there.

The epitome of Louis XIV’s sumptuous reign, the château de Versailles is the château of superlatives. From a simple hunting lodge in the 17th century, it became France’s center of power under the Sun King, and has been a museum since the 19th century. Symbol of the disproportion of the emblematic monarch, its construction required 36 000 workers and lasted 53 years, over the 72 years of his reign. Even its park and its magnificent French gardens, which extend over 800 hectares, are absolutely royal!

Near the Bois de Vincennes, the château de Vincennes is the largest royal castle still existing in France and keeps one of the highest dojon in Europe with 52m! Neglected by Louis XIV in favor of Versailles, he served as a prison from the sixteenth century. It is here that, censored, Denis Diderot is incarcerated a few months in 1749 and that his friend Jean-Jacques Rousseau visits him.

The château de Maisons is the best-preserved work of François Mansart, a pioneer of Classical architecture in France. Symmetry, balance of forms, elegance of roofs, large openings to let the light pass: here reigns the harmony. A gem between Paris and Versailles that has served as a backdrop for many films such as Marie-Antoinette, Vatel or La Reine Margot.

Located between Versailles and Rambouillet, the château de Breteuil and its history are closely intertwined with the history of France, brought to life by wax figures dotted around its rooms. Paintings also set the scene for the tales of Perrault (Puss in Boots and Donkey Skin), friend of the family, just like Marcel Proust, another frequent visitor.

Located to the north of Paris, deep in a forest, the château d’Ecouen is a jewel of French Renaissance architecture. It is now the only French museum entirely devoted to this period, its history and artistic movements, from painting to tapestry. It is one of the most influential personages of the period, Anne de Montmorency, constable and great friend of Francis I, who had it built.