our selection of 5 castles in Île-de-France to spend a wonderful time

As Christmas approaches, French castles are adorned with their finest finery to offer enchanting spectacles. An ideal experience to combine heritage, history and the spirit of Christmas.

1 “The King’s journey” at the Château de Versailles (78)

Versailles: the King of castles. This year again, organizers and artists are redoubling their efforts and talent to offer an unforgettable show. The visit begins at the foot of the royal stairs with a knights' duel before continuing towards the Grand Apartments to the rhythm of lyrical songs and period instruments. At the Hall of Mirrors, the court dances and the fireworks that accompany this moment will immerse you in the atmosphere of the balls of Versailles. At the end of the route, at the Battles gallery, Santa Claus himself awaits the children for a moment of discussion.

In small groups, and in a baroque atmosphere, this moment unique allows you to delve into the history of France by discovering this jewel of national heritage from a magical angle. Detailed programming and reservations are available on this link.

Dates: from December 11 to 30, from 6 p.m. / Prices: from €31

2“The Fabulous Christmas” at Château de Rambouillet (78)

This year, the Château de Rambouillet offers a journey through the story of young Ilda and her discovery of the legend of Christmas in the middle of a cozy and sumptuous decor. To give a taste of what awaits the public, the castle teams regularly publish photos and videos on their official account:

Dates: November 22 to December 15, 2024 | Prices: from €18.99 for adults, €12.99 for 4-15 year olds. Free for children under 4 years old

3 The Great Christmas at the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte

What if you went back to the stories of your childhood? The Château de Vaux-le-vicomte is once again working hard to offer its “Grand Noël” to visitors. You can enjoy the temporary ice rink outside the castle, warmly wrapped in your red velvet cape and equipped with your pair of ice skates. This year, a buffet inspired by the Alice in Wonderland tea ceremony is being organized for the public.

To give you an idea of ​​the festivities, do not hesitate to watch the video of the 2023 edition:

The Great Christmas continues until December 20.

Prices: Full price Castle and Garden ticket: €23.90 | Reduced: €18.90 | Free for under 4s

Last access to the ticket offices at 6:30 p.m.

4 “The Christmas of the Centuries” Château de Champs-sur-Marne (77)

The Château de Champs-sur-Marne offers a unique immersive experience: a journey through three emblematic Christmases, each anchored in a distinct era. From the elegant salons of the Court of Louis crossing promises a magical and magical immersion.

A national domain managed by the Center of National Monuments, the Château de Champs-sur-Marne, this program is aimed at both history enthusiasts and the public looking for a nice family outing.

Dates: until December 15, 2024 | Fridays from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

5 “Animal Christmas” at the Château de Sceaux (78)

With his elegant white mustache, his immaculate panache and his flamboyant collar, Marlamain, the mischievous cat of the Duchess of Maine, invites children on an enchanted adventure at the Château de Sceaux. This four-legged guide guides young explorers aged 6 to 12 in search of forest animals hidden in the sumptuous rooms of the castle.

Equipped with a game booklet, they will discover the treasures of the place in a fun way, while immersing themselves in the fables of Florian and Jean de La Fontaine.

Dates: December 10 to January 5, 2025 | Full price: €4, reduced price: €3 (included in the museum price)

Hours: 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.