The most beautiful castles to visit around Paris, in Ile de France

In Yvelines (78), Haut-de-Seine (92), Val-de-Marne (95), Seine-et-Marne (77)…

Want to escape from Paris and go for the day in Ile-de-France ? Discover 10 castles to visit with the family less than 100 km from Paris. Most of these castles are free for those under 18. If the weather is good, think of a picnic ! All of these castles have beautiful parks and gardens with picnic areas.

Castles to visit in the 78

4 magnifiques châteaux à visiter dans les Yvelines. L’été, pendant les vacances de Noël, à Pâques, de nombreuses manifestations sont proposées dans ces châteaux. Prévoir une journée pour profiter pleinement des jardins et faire la visite des châteaux

Until September 19, 2026

Gardens of the Palace of Versailles (78)

The Night Fountains Show

Nighttime 2h30

Until November 1, 2026

Palace of Versailles Park (78)

The Musical Fountains Show

Park Min 2 hours

From June 6 to September 19, 2026

At the Palace of Versailles

The Royal Serenade in the Hall of Mirrors

Show Tour 50 min

All year round

In the Yvelines (78)

Fun activities and outings in Versailles

All audiences

The Estate of Trianon

If Versailles was told to me (private tour)

The castle of Rambouillet

The castle of Breteuil

Castles to visit in the 92

Visitez le château-musée de Rueil dans les Hauts-de-Seine, résidence de Napoléon Bonaparte et de l’impératrice Joséphine

The castle of Malmaison and Bois-Préau

Castles to visit in the 77

La Seine-et-Marne regorge de châteaux plus beaux les uns que les autres. Un gros coup de coeur pour le château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, idéal en famille.

The castle of Vaux-le-Vicomte

From May 16 to September 26, 2026

At the castle of Vaux-le-Vicomte (77)

Candlelight evenings in Vaux-le-Vicomte

MAGICAL EVENING

The castle of Champs-sur-Marne

The Château de Fontainebleau

Castles to visit in the 60

Quels sont les châteaux à visiter dans l’Oise ? Sont-ils accessibles en transport en commun ou la voiture est-elle nécessaire ? Sont-ils ouverts les jours fériés ?

The Château de Chantilly

The castle of Pierrefonds

The most beautiful museums to visit with the family

Nous avons sélectionné les plus beaux musées de Paris où emmener les enfants. A choisir selon vos envies : les musées incontournables comme le Louvre ou Orsay, les musées insolites comme Le Paradox Muséum ou le musée des Egouts, les musées autour des Sciences…

Jusqu’au 31 août 2025

Au musée Rodin (Paris 7e)

The Sculpture Workshop of the Musée Rodin – Move, play, create

Pour les 3 à 13 ans

A Aubervilliers (93)

The Cherqui Foundation

MUSÉE INSOLITE 1h à 2h

From 10€

Du mardi au dimanche

Pont de l’Alma (Paris 7ème)

The Sewer Museum

Dès 7-8 ans 1h

From 9€

Closed on Mondays

Place Denfert Rochereau (Paris 14th)

The Catacombs of Paris

Unusual museum 1h

7 days a week

Bercy (Paris 12th)

Science Experiences at Bercy Village

From 5 years old Promo : 5%

6 days a week (not Tuesdays)

At the Louvre (1st)

Treasure hunt at the Louvre Museum

Guided tour 2h30

Louvre Museum with family and children

The Musée d’Orsay

The Rodin Museum

The Museum of Modern Art in Paris

Gallery of Geology and Mineralogy

The Musée de l’Orangerie

The Picasso Museum

The Guimet Museum

All year round

In the 2nd

Rex Studios, the behind-the-scenes tour of the Grand Rex

PROMO : -12% 50 minutes

From 10€ 8,8€

Every day, except Tuesday

Jardin des Plants (Paris 5th)

Grande Galerie de l’Evolution: prices and practical guide

INESCAPABLE

The Museum of Magic – Museum of Automatons

Du 6 juillet 2025 au 30 août 2025

Au musée du Quai Branly

Summer garden at the Quai Branly Museum

Gratuit

All year round

Museums: Our guided family tours

1h30

See all the museums to visit with the family

Exhibitions to see right now in Paris

Découvrez les expositions à Paris idéales avec un enfants ou un ado. Un petit conseil : pensez à prendre vos billets à l’avance, pour certaines expos, les places partent très vite.

jusqu’au 16 août 2026

Fondation Louis Vuitton

Calder. Dreaming in balance

EXPOSITION 1h30

jusqu’au 31 août 2026

For all

La Grande Halle de La Villette

The Legend of the Titanic: The Ultimate Exhibition

exposition immersive 1h30

jusqu’au 12 juillet 2026

from 6 yo

Musée de Cluny – Paris 5ème

Unicorns! At the Museum of Cluny

exposition 1h

Nature Festival 2024

Until June 28, 2026

The Atelier des Lumières (Paris 11th)

Renaissance at the Atelier des Lumières

Immersive Exhibition 50 minutes

Tous les jours

from 12 yo

Au musée Banksy (Paris 9ème)

The World of Banksy

Exposition

Jusqu’au 28 juin 2026

A La Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie

Dogs and cats, at the Cité des Sciences

A partir de 6 ans 1h

Until June 28, 2026

At the Cité des Sciences (Paris 19th)

Dance

For 4 – 8 year olds 1 hour

Permanent exhibition

At the Cité des Sciences (Paris 19th)

Space Mission

Scientific exhibition min 1h

Climate emergency

See all the museums to visit with the family

Questions

What are the most beautiful castles to visit with your family in Île-de-France?

Among the most beautiful castles, we can mention the majestic Palace of Versailles with its Grand Apartments and its French gardens where it is pleasant to stroll with the family. The Château de Fontainebleau, rich in history and with beautiful gardens and a forest suitable for walks, is also a must-see. Finally, the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, which inspired Versailles, offers a fascinating visit and events like candlelight evenings that can appeal to the whole family.

Which castles around Paris are particularly suitable for a family day out with children of all ages?

Castles that offer interactive tours, game booklets for children, or large outdoor spaces where they can let off steam are particularly suitable. Some also host special events for families during school holidays or weekends, such as chivalry shows or historical re-enactments.

Where are these castles located and how to get there from Paris by car or public transport?

The location of these castles is varied, spread over the different departments of Île-de-France (Yvelines, Seine-et-Marne, etc.). To get there by car, you usually have to take the motorways and follow the signs. By public transport, trains (SNCF) or RER trains serve most of these destinations, but it may sometimes be necessary to take a complementary bus. It is advisable to check the precise route for each castle using navigation apps or public transport websites.

Which castles in Île-de-France offer free admission to children and up to what age?

Most national castles, such as Versailles, Fontainebleau and Saint-Germain-en-Laye, offer free entry to young people under the age of 18 residing in the European Union and non-residents under the age of 26. It is always best to check the specific conditions of each castle on their official website, as some rules may vary.

Can you picnic in the parks and gardens of these castles and are there any landscaped areas?

Yes, most of these castles have large and beautiful parks and gardens where picnics are allowed. Often, specific picnic areas with tables and benches are set up to accommodate families. It’s a great way to enjoy the setting and take a break during the tour.

Are there any specific activities or entertainment for children in these castles?

Many castles offer activities specially designed for children, such as age-appropriate guided tours, game booklets to discover the castle in a fun way, creative workshops, puppet shows or historical re-enactments that can capture their imagination. It is interesting to consult the program of each castle before the visit.

Are the gardens of these castles worth a visit for a family walk?

Absolutely! The gardens of these castles are often as impressive as the buildings themselves. They offer ample spaces to walk, run, play and admire the fountains, statues and landscapes. It is an essential part of the experience of visiting a castle with the family.