Does your child love the world of princesses, knights and shows? Visiting a castle should certainly amaze him! In France, many areas are open to the public and sometimes offer specific routes for children. Here are the top 10 castles to visit with the family.
Organize a visit to a castle en famille is a fun and instructive idea for an outing for children, especially for those who are curious to learn more about history, but also about the kings, princesses and knights of the time. In France, it is estimated that there are around 45,000 castles spread throughout the territory. Among them, some castles are to be visited with the family at least once in a lifetime. here is our top 10 castles in France :
1. The Palace of Versailles, in Ile-de-France
Located in the Yvelines, The Palace of Versailles is a true jewel of our heritage. Inside, your children will also be amazed, especially with the hall of mirrors And the King’s State Apartments and the Queen. But the Palace of Versailles can also be discovered from the outside by strolling through its sublime gardens, using the little train, why not.
If you have time left, also plan a stop at the carriage gallery and its period “cars”! During the summer, every Saturday evening, don’t miss the Night Fountains Show. The French-style gardens of the Palace of Versailles are then adorned with a thousand lights, where fountains and ponds launch into games of water and light to music before giving way to fireworks.
Practical information: free access to the château and the Trianon estate for children under 18. Passport ticket: access to the entire domain 28.50 euros; castle ticket only 19.50 euros. The castle is open every day except Monday from 9am to 6.30pm. Place d’Armes, 78000 Versailles. More details on the website: www.chateauversailles.fr
2. The Château de Cheverny, in Loir-et-Cher
On the famous route of the Loire castlesthere is obviously the essential Cheverny Castle. This private residence has been open to the public since 1922. What will appeal to young and old alike? I’permanent and interactive exhibition “Les Secrets de Moulinsart”an emblematic place in THEs Adventures of Tintin. On site, it’s an immersion in the world of Tintin and his sidekick Captain Haddock! Outside, you can stroll through its six themed gardens and discover the kennel housing a hundred French dogs.
Practical information: visit of the castle and gardens free for children under 7 and people with reduced mobility. Full price: 14 euros and 10 euros reduced price. The castle is open all year round. Avenue du Château, 41700 Cheverny. More information on the website: www.chateau-cheverny.fr
3. The Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, in Seine-et-Marne
Between costumed guided tour and puzzle games, the Castle of Vaux-le-Vicomte, located 50 kilometers south of Paris, is the perfect place to visit with the family. To entertain the children, an original activity is offered: Styx – the river of the underworld. This underground river diverted by Le Nôtre in 1654 during the creation of the French gardens, crisscrosses via a storytelling, playful and interactive route. The Château also organizes evening visits by candlelight, called candlelight evenings.
Practical information: castle and garden access ticket 17 euros per adult, 13.50 euros reduced rate and candlelight evening ticket 22 euros, 17.50 euros reduced rate. Free for children under 6 years old. The castle is open every day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to midnight for candlelit evenings. Gardens of the Château de Vaux le Vicomte, 77950 Maincy. Site : vaux-le-vicomte.com
4. The Château d’Ussé from Sleeping Beauty, in Indre-et-Loire
In the Pays de la Loire region, we also find the Chateau d’Usse which stands at the edge of the forest of Chinon and which inspired Charles Perrault for the decor of The Sleeping Beauty. This castle built between the 15th and 17th centuries seems straight out of a fairy tale, with its pretty towers and turrets.
Practical information: adult rate (+ 16 years old) 14 euros, child from 8 to 16 years old 7 euros and free for children under 8 years old. The castle is open from February 11 to November 5, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Château d’Ussé, 37420 Rigny-Ussé. Site : www.chateaudusse.fr
5. The Château de Pau, in Pyrénées-Atlantiques
THE Pau Castle where was born Henry IV, King of France is to visit with the family! Built between the 12th and 19th centuries, it served as a fortress for the viscounts of Béarn, fortified castle under Gaston Fébus, and royal residence during the Renaissance, and is classified as a historical monument. A course for children is available via the application “Château de Pau” on mobile. The objective: to educate the eyes of children by having fun.
Practical information: full price 7 euros, reduced price 5.50 euros. Free on the 1st Sunday of each month for people under 18 and job seekers. Open every day (except 1er January, 1er May and December 25). Rue du Chateau, 64000 Pau. Site : chateau-pau.fr
6. The Château du Plessis-Macé, in Maine-et-Loire
The first fortress, built of wood, the Castle of Plessis-Macé, located near Angers, dates from the 11th century. As a family, you can opt for a classic or more original visit. The youngest will have the choice between a mystery visit in search of the castle’s crossroads, a funny visit to find out more about the interiors of the estate, or take part in a theatrical stroll through the house. For older children, other activities are offered: role play, murder party, escape room, etc. Something to entertain everyone!
Practical information: full price 9 euros, reduced price 7 euros, free for children under 6 years old. Open from July 12 to August 26, 2023, from 2 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. Château du Plessis-Macé 49770 Le Plessis-Macé. Site : www.chateau-plessis-mace.fr
7. The Château de Tarascon, in the Bouches-du-Rhône
The Royal Château of Provence also known as Château de Tarascon is the first royal residence of the Anjou family discovered in Provence. It is perceived as one of the most beautiful fortresses in Europe. Built in the 15th century, the castle also served as a royal and then republican prison. A game booklet is given to children at the entrance to allow them to discover the places and the history of the castle in the form of a treasure hunt. They can also participate in heritage workshops, or thematic visits from the age of 6.
Practical information: prices 8 euros for over 25s, reduced price of 6.50 euros for 18-24 year olds, 3.50 euros for 10-17 year olds. Free for children under 10. Family rate 2 adults and 2 children: 20 euros. Boulevard du Roi René, 13150 Tarascon, website: chateau.tarascon.fr
8. The Château du Rivau, in Indre-et-Loire
On the road to the Châteaux de la Loire, in Touraine, there is a stop to make at Rivau Castle. Here, the kings are the children! A game booklet, like a treasure hunt, will be offered to them to guide them, they will also enjoy walking in the gardens that look like fairy tales, taking part in a workshop “around the gardens” or to make a costumed visit as a knight or princess.
Practical information: open every day from April 1 to November 12, 2023. Adult price 12.50 euros, child price from 5 to 18 years old: 7.50 euros, free for children under 5 years old. Other prices: student, job seeker, 9.50 euros, family package 2 adults and 2 children 33 euros. 9 rue du château 37120 Lémeré, website: www.chateaudurivau.com
9. The Château de Meung, in Loiret
Near Orléans, enter one of the largest existing castles, with 131 rooms in total, it is the Meung Castle. Nicknamed the castle with two facesthanks to its medieval and classical facades, this residence was the residence of the bishops of Orléans, but also hosted great names in the history of France such as Louis XI and Joan of Arc.
Several activities are offered to children, such as animated and costumed visits, or even workshops in the footsteps of knights or the legend of dragons, an educational farm, etc. Practical information: open from Saturday April 8 at 10 a.m. to Sunday November 5 at 6 p.m. Full price 12 euros, reduced price 10 euros, child price from 5 to 15 years old 8.50 euros. Free for under 5s and over 80s. 16 Place du Martroi, 45130 Meung-sur-Loire, website: chateau-de-meung.com
10. The Château de Chantilly, in the Oise
THE Chantilly Castlein the Oise, can be visited with the family through various activities: via a game booklet (6-12 years old), a walk in the park in treasure hunt mode (6-12 years old) or by playing a game of the Giant Goose in the gardens of the castle, spread over 3.5 hectares.
Another option is to have young and old investigate the disappearance of François Vatel, at the time of Louis XIV, thanks to the Atlantide project and its dedicated application. The great stables of the domain are also to be discovered. Practical information: castle open every day, except Tuesday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (8 p.m. for the park). Full adult price (+ 17 years old) 17 euros, reduced price: 13.50 euros. Family ticket for 2 adults and 2 or 3 children: 48 euros. 60500 Chantilly. Site : chateaudechantilly.fr