On the first Sunday of the month, certain monuments, including castles, are open to us for a free visit. What if we took advantage of this Sunday, November 3, 2024 to treat ourselves to one of these sublime castles of our Ile-de-France heritage? Don’t forget, some require free reservations in advance, so remember to check and prepare your visits beforehand.
Among the many good tips for Paris and its surroundings, free museums and monumentsthe first Sunday of the month is one of the events that we tend to forget, but which nevertheless allows us to access culture and our superb heritage without spending a cent. This is THE good deal that should not be missed to discover, not only the historical sites, but also the temporary exhibitions rich in discoveries.
If like us, you have a passion for heritage, discover the 11 castles which are open to you free of charge Sunday November 3, 2024. Of the castles the best known to the monuments hidden in the small towns of Île-de-France, these are sites steeped in history which are within your reach. So go, as a couple or as a family, to (re)discover these witnesses of the history of France which immerse you in the past, from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance.
For your pleasure, your culture and that of your children, we are off to take advantage of these sublime castles in Île-de-France. Accessible by transport for some and by car for others, it is in any case a good idea to escape and enjoy the treasures of the region, by taking a beautiful walk.
Châteaux in Ile-de-France and its surroundings, free this Sunday, November 3, 2024:
The Château de Fontainebleau, the secondary residence of the Kings of France
The Château de Fontainebleau invites you to discover its spaces and its history. Come admire this superb castle mixing different styles, between medieval and classical, and its decorated gardens over 130 hectares. This castle opens to you free of charge every first Sunday of the month throughout the year except in July and August. [Lire la suite]
Free castles on the 1st Sunday of the month, all year round:
The National Archeology Museum – Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye
The Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, located on the heights of Yvelines, was one of the royal residences of François I. It now houses the National Archeology Museum and exhibits more than 29,000 objects!
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Discovery of the Château d’Écouen, jewel of the Renaissance and national museum
Explore the Château d’Écouen, home to the National Museum of the Renaissance, located 20 km from Paris. Immerse yourself in the history of this exceptional place and admire its unique collections. [Lire la suite]
The Château de Malmaison, from the residence to the museum
Malmaison Castle, located in Rueil-Malmaison in Hauts-de-Seine, today houses the National Napoleonic Museum. During the Revolution, Joséphine Bonaparte acquired it and the residence became the Imperial Palace of Malmaison, transforming it into the seat of government for a time. [Lire la suite]
The Château de Compiègne: a Royal and Imperial heritage within reach
The Château de Compiègne, built on the initiative of Louis XV and Louis XVI then redeveloped under Napoleon I and Napoleon III, constitutes a living page in French history. Located in the town of Compiègne, 80 kilometers from Paris, this architectural gem is among the most important royal and imperial residences in France, alongside Versailles and Fontainebleau. [Lire la suite]
Free castles on the 1st Sunday of the month, from November to March:
The Château de Rambouillet and its National Sheepfold, an exceptional estate in Île-de-France (78)
A princely, royal, imperial and then presidential residence, the Château de Rambouillet and its domain are full of history and remarkable nooks and crannies, including the Queen’s Dairy, the Shell Cottage and the National Sheepfold, not to be missed. [Lire la suite]
Visiting the Palace of Versailles and its program
The Château de Versailles, its gardens and its estate, are among the world heritage of humanity. Official residence of the kings of France, the Château de Versailles holds the record for the largest castle in the world and obviously the most visited in France. [Lire la suite]
The Château de Champs-sur-Marne, a magnificent Renaissance-style building with an 85-hectare garden
In the department of Seine-et-Marne, the castle of Champs-sur-Marne is less known than that of Vaux-le-Vicomte or Fontainebleau. Witness to a rich history, the place is particularly known for its immense 85-hectare wooded park, to be discovered all year round! [Lire la suite]
The Château de Pierrefonds, the medieval castle reinvented under Napoleon III
In the heart of the Oise, the Château de Pierrefonds, 80 km from Paris, stands like a history book opened on the pages of the Middle Ages, rewritten by the imagination of Eugène Viollet-le-Duc under Napoleon III. This monument, mixing medieval past and architectural fantasy, offers an immersive experience through its majestic rooms, its impressive towers and its mysterious crypts. We take you to discover it… [Lire la suite]
The Château de Maisons-Laffitte, a pleasure house with a royal feel, in Yvelines
In Maisons-Laffitte, in the Yvelines department, the town’s castle has everything of a castle and yet it was only a “simple” pleasure house! Less than an hour from Paris, it is a very beautiful place to discover with family, friends or alone. [Lire la suite]
The Château de Vincennes: a royal fortress in Paris
The Château de Vincennes is, with the Louvre, one of the most important castles in the history of France. It is also one of the largest and best preserved castles in Europe… [Lire la suite]
So, what if we made a château free this Sunday?
And for other free visits:
Which free museum to visit in Paris this 1st Sunday of the month, Sunday November 3, 2024? We are very happy to return to our little ritual at the start of the month: the discovery of a museum or a monument, without spending a penny! [Lire la suite]
Looking for a free museum in Paris? Museum of Fine Arts, Museum of Modern Art, Aviation Museum, Museum of Asian Arts, more than 20 museums are free all year round, we have a look at the good tips for going out and getting smarter. [Lire la suite]
Paris is a city rich in history and art. And when the two meet, it’s even better! Head to the monuments of Paris and Île-de-France, but not just any monuments: those which are free for young people under 26, teachers and students from the European Union. [Lire la suite]
