We are in Paris 2nd week of April. I understand that the Palais de Versailles is magnificent, but it is a bit out of the way. We are staying in the 5th and won't have a rental car. Also, we don't want to necessarily dedicate a full day to visit the Palais de Versailles.

Is there a castle open to visitors in central Paris?

Thanks
Julie

Yup - the Louvre. As much a 'castle' as Versailles - both being in fact palaces and not fortified castles. And the Chateau de Vincennes is on the eastern edge of Paris.

But it takes but 30 minutes by RER C right to the gates of Versailles - needs only take a couple of hours there if you just want to see the Palace of Versailles though to me the park and gardens are equally pleasant.

Of course, the Louvre was built as the Royal Castle. The Napoleon III Apartments within the Louvre come next to that what is considered a castle.

However, I strongly suggest to change your mind about visiting Chateau de Versailles - it is magnificent indeed and no visit to Paris is complete without a trip to Versailles. You can reach Versailles conveniently with the RER train. The train takes just 30 minutes or so, depending on the Metro connection.

It takes maybe 30 minutes to get to Versailles on the RER. But yes, obviously, the Louvre was/is a castle, as well as the Château de Vincennes.

there are also many chateaus d'eaux scattered all over Paris!

<i>there are also many chateaus d'eaux scattered all over Paris!</i>

There certainly are châteaux d´eaux scattered all over Paris but I am not sure that JulieGilman is asking about visiting water tanks.

Here is a photo report that I made about the Château de Vincennes, which is at the eastern end of metro line 1: http://www.anyportinastorm.proboards...u-de-vincennes

Then there are also loads of châteaux within an hour or so from Paris by local trains such as Fontainebleau, Vaux-le-Vicomte, Chantilly, Saint-Germain-en-Laye (well, a museum now), Pierrefonds, Malmaison, Compiègne, Champs-sur-Marne, Maison-Lafitte and a few others that aren't coming to mind right now.

>>We are staying in the 5th and won't have a rental car.<<

No one 'must' visit Versailles of course . . . but it sort of sounds like you assume having a car would make it more doable/easier . . .

Renting a car should never be part of the equation re visiting Paris. No need, and public transport will get you everywhere . . . even Versailles.