Chateaux other than Versailles
 

Can anyone comment on chateaux surrounding Paris? I'm looking for ease of access and general interest to a small group of four students and four parents (who don't speak French). The group had asked about a day trip to the Loire Valley, but going in March when the days are still short, I think a short RER ride would be better. We plan to do Versailles, but I would like to offer them one additional for another half day.

I'm considering Malmaison, Vaux Le Vicompte, and Vincennes. Two of the group have already seen Fountainbleu, so that would probably be last on the list unless it's so great that they would agree to go back for the benefit of the others. I will certainly consider others if recommended.

Thanks for your thoughts, suggestions, cautions, advice!

Rent a van with driver - for your size group the best solution for a daytrip. Don't let the shorter days of March stop you from going to see the awesome and unique Chambord castle outside of Blois (www.chambord.org), architecture like none other, situated in a huge park, and the nearby Cheverney (totally different - mostly like a big mansion with antiques).
You leave around 7AM, get there around 9AM when the castle opens.

All Malmaison, Vaux Le Vicompte, and Vincennes are very interesting and worth a visit. A beautiful castle is also Chantilly - check there also the hours for horses show.

Vincennes is right in Paris and can be reached by metro. I haven't been there since the building was opened to tour but it's certainly the easiest to get to and has nice grounds. It's more fortress-like than chateaux-like.

OTOH, Vaux la Vicomte is one of my favorites chateaux anywhere. The interiors are very beautiful and can be seen independently with hand held audio guides. The grounds are beautiful and extensive. I understand that it is somewhat difficult to reach by train--probably requires bus or taxi after train stops somewhere a bit distant from the chateau.

Chantilly is an excellent suggestion. The chateau is very beautiful and the grounds are lovely. The James Bond flick View to a Kill was partially filmed there. I know because my kids got very excited about that when we took them. I don't recall what kind of travel arrangements it would require to get there.

Hi gogo,

Malmaison isn't much of a Chateau.

It is a cozy country house.

The grounds are pleasant, but not extensive or breathtaking.

The interior is rather modest.

((I))

Just thought of another chateau visitable by RER--St. Germain en Laye. I've never visited the interior, but the exterior is very nice. There are nice gardens and the town itself is pleasant. It gives a picture of how well-to-do suburban Parisians live I think.

They have done a nice job with Vaux Le Vicomte. After Versailles, that would be my choice.

I would suggest a day trip to Chantilly and Senlis. It can be done with public transportation, though I can't tell you how off the top of my head.

Also, Auvers-sur-Oise, where Van Gogh and his brother Theo are buried, and which is an entire town devoted to him, has a marvelous château with a fabulous holographic exhibit about Impressionism. It's easily accessible on the RER.

Thanks everyone. Great info from you all.

I checked with my traveler who has been and it was not to Fountainbleu but rather Chantilly. She said it was an absolutely wonderful trip. Too bad we won't do that one then this trip.

Dalai, I've seen all the Loire chateaux myself having stayed there for a study abroad program in 2004. I wouldn't mind doing them again for the group I'm leading, I just don't want to take a full day since we will already be doing a half day at Versailles. So much to do - so little time sort of thing.

Ira, good point on the country house aspect of Malmaison. I guess I'm letting my obsession with Napoleon and Josephine influence my desire to go there. I may do that during the few days I'm staying behind on my own after the group departs.

Julie, thanks for the tip on St Germain en Laye. The two who went to Chantilly said the town aspect of it just put the visit over the top.

Anyone else like to vote? One definite so far for Vaux Le Vicompte.

Can anyone give me explicit instructions on getting there with a group of 10? I may have to start another thread for directions once I lock down my choice.

I was at the Chateaux de Vincennes about four years ago and it is very easy to get to. It is located directly across the street from the end of the number one Metro line. I would think a two or three hour visit would be more than enough time, so if you are looking to fill in about a half a day on your schedule this would work fine.

I think it depends what the purpose of this trip is. Versailles can't remotely be compared to a chateau that is just someone's residence, they are two different things. So is the purpose just to see some chateau, or to visit a place of history?

I would have voted for Fontainebleau, and I do like Malmaison very much for a pleasant trip and fascinating visit (it actually had more interesting things in it than a lot of chateaux do, sort of a mini-museum of some Josephine things). But it isn't remotely a grand chateau, of course, but it IS a chateau.

If one really wants to see a big chateau, I do think Vaux le Vicompte is probably best for that. But it wasn't any seat of govt. nor royal residence, of course.

I'm not sure I understood your sentence, but if Fontainebleau is on the list, I'd go there.

Fontainebleau and Chantilly would be my RER picks (tell the two who've seen F they're outnumbered). If you <u>do</u> get to the Loire, Chambord and Chenonceaux top the list. Fontevraud l'Abbaye is a treasure for English/French history buffs.

Hey Robes, I mentioned in a subsequent post to the original that I was mistaken and that the two who had already been to one chateau had gone to Chantilly rather than Fountainbleu, so Fountainbleu is still a possibility.

I have just checked how to access Vaux, and there is a Chateaubus from the station at Melun BUT it doesn't start running until 22 March. We will be there the week before. I have emailed them to be sure that date is correct. Otherwise, it says a taxi to the chateau is necessary, so for 10 people, I don't know. I will have to check the approximate fare per taxi needed for round trip.

Even though off season, I still think a Loire visit might be nice. Chambord is quite spectacular from the outside, Chenonceau is a real beauty...and as Robes mentioned, if you can throw in Fontevraud abbey, it was quite interesting. Have a look at the big tour companies (Cityrama and Parisvision) to see if they match your needs. If not..plan B