Visiting Chateaux and Castles in France
By TDF. Filed in Travel & Living |
France is well known for its numerous chateaux and castles and one
of the main areas that people think of is the Loire region with
fabulous castles such as the Chateau Chenonceau, but what many people
do not realise is that there are lots of different palaces and chateaux
that surround the capital city of Paris in the Ile de France region.
However, probably the most well known of all of these historical
buildings in France is the Chateau de Versailles that is situated just
outside of Paris and these types of chateau are on such a grand scale
that you really need to put a whole day to one side to appreciate them
to the fullest.
In fact, the Chateau de Versailles is one of the largest castles in
the world and is one of the most visited sites in France with its
French architecture on a grand scale. Plus Versailles has history
galleries with many masterpieces and is the largest history museum in
the world, but this is only one part of the chateau open to the public!
Yet one of the most famous rooms at the former Royal Palace is the
75m long Galerie des Glaces, known as the Hall of Mirrors and this is
where the Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919, which signified the
end of World War I.
But the gardens that were designed by Andre Le Notre, have also
become the most famous in world and there are around 1,300 fountains,
jets and waterfalls that utilise water pumped from the River Seine, a
vast amount of sculptures and statues, plus the formal gardens to
explore. And at a weekend from April through to September there are
fountain shows for everyone enjoyment.
There is also another show held at Chateau de Versailles at set
times called the Académie du Spectacle Equestre, plus you can visit the
restored 17th century royal stables, home to these beautiful horses
that are the stars of the show.
But enough on this palace, lets take a quick look at another
beautiful castle in France, called Chateau de Chantilly, which can be
located in one of the largest forests near Paris and this vast estate
covers around 7,800 hectares, yet is not as well known as the Chateau
Versailles.
Now, anyone you know that has enjoyed The Louvre, will love the
museum of historical paintings at Chateau Chantilly, as it is classed
as one of the finest museums in France and the only one except The
Louvre that has 3 Raphael paintings.
And also inside Chateau de Chantilly is the Conde Museum that holds
a book room containing about 30,000 volumes, including 1,500
manuscripts and is the most important collection in France, plus this
castle also contains medieval manuscripts with one very rare specimen
dating from the11th century.
Andre Le Notre also designed the gardens at Chateau De Chantilly and
this castle has the largest expanse of water with the Grand Canal being
approximately 2.5 kilometres long, but yet another garden that Andre
designed is to be found at the Chateau Vaux le Vicomte.
You can even hire an electric golf car to get around the grounds or
take a trip on the canal when visiting the well restored Chateau Vaux
le Vicomte and this French castle has a horse driven carriage museum,
which houses a unique collection of 18th and 19th century carriages,
plus an exhibition dedicated to Andre Le Notre in the vaulted cellars.
They even hold candlelight visits, specific themed activities for
children and from March until to October there is a fountain show held
twice a month, which is a spectacular sight, especially when you
consider that the fountains are still gravity fed the same way as they
were in the 17th century!
Whatever French castle you choose to visit, you will not be
disappointed and other stately homes around Paris that all have
something different to offer include the Royal Chateau de Fontainebleau
where you can feed large carp and have a tour of the estate in a
horse-drawn carriage or the Chateau de Sceaux where they hold classical
music festivals and outdoor operas in the summer.
The Chateau de Compiegne is another restored castle that has three
different museums including the museum of transport, which shows
exhibits of past road travel from bicycles right through to the first
electric and steam engine vehicles, prototypes and some very rare items
on display.
Yet the Chateau de Thoiry is definitely a fantastic and fun day out
for all the family with something for everyone including the youngest
to enjoy and is home to what was the very first wild animal safari park
in Europe. It also has the only interactive maze in the world! Plus you
can also have a tour of the castle by guides in period costumes and see
the unique solar calendar in the garden where the Chateau itself
becomes transparent during solstice
So why not take a trip out to one of these incredible architectural
wonders and have a day to remember with a picnic in the grounds. Just
make sure you pick a dry day to make the most of it, but please do
remember that most of these chateaux and castles close at least one day
a week, which is normally on a Monday or Tuesday!
