The 8 Best Tours of Palaces and Castles in Paris

For centuries France was part of a monarchy, hence the variety of castles and palaces in different cities. The area around the City of Light is home to some of the most beautiful and emblematic. There are world-renowned options and you can't leave without visiting the Palace of Versailles or Chateau de Fontainebleau, as they top the list of the best things to see in Paris.

They are on the outskirts and this is because Louis XIV wanted them to be in quieter surroundings, such as the Loire Valley and Saint-Germain en Laye. For this reason, I recommend you consider excursions from Paris or guided tours of their facilities. This way, you won't have to worry about transfers and you will get to know every detail of the palaces.

I can't imagine a visit to Paris that doesn't include the Palace of Versailles. You can't miss the place where the Treaty of Versailles was signed, which put an end to the First World War. It also gave its name to the French monarchy when it became the country's first royal residence.

It was originally a hunting lodge and since it became a palace it has undergone countless transformations. A guided tour is the best way to see the Palace of Versailles from every angle and is not to be missed:

• The King's and Queen's chambers.
• The Hall of Mirrors.
• The Gardens of Versailles.
• Marie-Antoinette's estate.

One of the tips to see the Palace of Versailles that I would like to give you is to consider a guided tour of Versailles. This makes transfers easier and allows you to get to know the context behind each element that characterises this former royal residence.

In addition, there are golf cart tours and private tours for those who prefer a more intimate encounter.

Details of interest

• Price: tickets for the Palace of Versailles start from €24 and guided experiences from €36.
• Duration: approximately six hours.
• Means of transport: some tours usually include transfers and it is most convenient as it is on the outskirts. If you are arriving at the Palace of Versailles on your own, take the RER C line.
• Advantages of this option: it usually includes skip-the-line entry to the palace, access to the gardens and Marie-Antoinette's estate. If you choose it, you can enjoy the Carriage Gallery on weekends and a musical show at the fountain.
• Disadvantages of this option: there is an evening show, but it is not included in all tour options.

The Palace of Fontainebleau is the only residence occupied by all the French monarchs from the 12th to the 19th century. You will love it because inside you will find the most decorated French palace. Its frescoes and private chambers are well worth seeing.

A guided tour is the best way to enjoy its different galleries, including the Gallery of Francis I, which is irrefutable proof of Renaissance style. You will also have access to its impressive gardens headed by the Great Parterre, the English Garden and the Garden of Diana. Each space has so many elements and stories that have made it the House of the Century.

Details of interest

• Price: Tickets are available from €14 per person. You can also choose tours from €33 and combined experiences with other castles from €116. In addition, the gardens are free and the palace can be visited free of charge on the first Sunday of every month (except July and August).
• Duration: two to four hours, but combined tours can last up to nine hours.
• Means of transport: Tours usually include transfers, but if you're on your own you can take the train from Gare de Lyon station to Fontainebleau-Avon station.
• The advantages of this option: Guided tours often include an audio guide and can even be combined with other experiences.

You could say that the Vaux-le-Vicomtes Palace is an open book of history. Let's start with the fact that it was the inspiration for the Palace of Versailles, as it is said that after a visit King Louis XIV was enchanted and ordered an exact replica.

Its original owner was the architect Nicolas Fourquet, who inspired the film The Man in the Iron Mask. In fact, some scenes were filmed in the palace.

This palace was hard to overshadow and for years was the epicentre of banquets in its gardens and exquisitely decorated rooms. During a guided tour you can explore the history of its different owners and get to know it in detail. You'll discover the Carriage Museum and let the hologram of Fourquet himself take you through his exhibition, where you'll learn about his feud with the king and how he created the palace.

Every visit is different, but in general many people come to see the water show that takes place every day in the fountains. It is possible to climb the dome and see the grounds with a 360° view. Also, from time to time they organise the Grand Century Day, a journey back to the 17th century with characters dressed in period costumes.

Or perhaps if you plan to visit Paris in June you can take advantage of the palace's Night of Candles, a magical event that takes place every Saturday between June and September and consists of the lighting of 2,000 candles in the gardens.

Details of interest

• Price: entrance to the palace and gardens starts at 17 € and the price rises when the Saturday evening is included. In addition, access to the dome can cost an additional €5 and guided tours from Paris cost around €188.
• Duration: one to two hours, if you go with a combined tour you should book at least nine hours.
• Means of transport: It's in Maincy, east of Paris, and some tours often include transfers, but if you're on your own you can take the train from Gare de Lyon to Melun station.
• Pros of this option: Enjoy a guided experience with skip-the-line access.
• Disadvantages of this option: it is a time-consuming visit. If you plan to visit Paris in 1 day or in a short time, you may want to prioritise other activities.

If I were you, I wouldn't miss the Château de Vincennes and the opportunity to discover its many uses throughout history. Its walls have witnessed royal marriages as well as the most cruel executions in French history. Beyond its opulence, it was used as a fortress during wars, as a prison and as a military arsenal.

Inside, don't miss the keep, one of the tallest medieval examples in Europe. You should also explore its chapel, where the relics of the Passion of Christ were kept. Of course, you must take a look at the kings' chambers.

In addition, the castle is famous for its Segway tours that allow you to see another side of the castle. It is one of the best Segway tours in Paris because you can see all the buildings of the castle, the Minimes Lake and the Grand Pagoda in a comfortable way. Enjoy the adrenaline rush of getting lost in the Vincennes forest or relax among the paths in the gardens.

Interesting details

• Price: Tickets to the château are available from €14. The cost of a Segway tour can range from €62.
• Duration: approximately three hours.
• Means of transport: a meeting point is usually set up near the château, but it is very easy to get there by public transport in Paris.
• Advantages of this option: it usually includes a professional guide and during the winter season, a cold weather cover for the handlebars, gloves and ponchos are provided if necessary.
• Disadvantages of this option: the interior of the chateau is not well preserved.

The Loire Valley was one of the king's hideaways, which is why the Châteaux de Loire were built here. It's a complex of 12 palatial buildings located an hour and a half from Paris. It seems difficult to see them all, so I would recommend starting with the most important ones such as Chenonceau, Chambord and Amboise.

During a trip to the Loire Châteaux you can see Da Vinci's tomb and discover what his last years of life were like. To give you an idea of what you'll see, here's why these castles are so popular.

• Chambord Castle: the largest in the Loire Valley.
• Château de Chenonceau: a castle built only by women.
• Château d'Amboise: one of the oldest French castles.

The area is also known for its wine tasting, a very typical activity in France. If you plan to indulge in wine and cheese tasting in Paris, you can't miss an experience in the middle of the Loire, famous for its sweet wines, multifaceted vineyards and tastings with unparalleled landscapes in the background.

Interesting details

• Price: you can take advantage of guided tours from €155 which usually include all entrance fees. If you go on your own, consider that each chateau sells its tickets separately.
• Duration: A tour can take around 12 hours.
• Means of transport: usually covers all transfers.
• Advantages of this option: can include French wine tasting.
• Disadvantages of this option: Not recommended for people with a short itinerary.

If you're looking for less crowded palaces, the Chantilly Palace is a must-see. It has one of the most exquisite collections of French art in the Musée du Condé. What's more, every corner looks like something out of a fairy tale. Here you can see furnishings immortalised in time and the private flats of royalty.

Don't miss the Salle des Guards which links the Grand Palais with a smaller section known as the former Petit Palais. It also has an impressive library, listed as one of the most important in France.

It's so large that seeing it on your own can be overwhelming, so the palace offers affordable guided tours for you to discover the grand stables and the oddities of the French Garden, English Garden and Anglo-Chinese Garden.

Most interestingly, it is in the town of Chantilly, where the famous Chantilly cream was created. For this reason, the palace offers cooking workshops to learn how to prepare it. You can also rent period costumes for the kids and enjoy the royal horse demonstrations.

Interesting details

• Price: Entrance to the palace is available from €10 and you can get an information booklet for an additional fee. Guided tours cost around €7 in addition to the entrance fee.
• Duration: two to four hours.
• Means of transport: Some guided tours allow you to select your own transfers. If you go on your own, you have to take the train to Chantilly-Gouvieux station.
• Advantages of this option: Discounts on admission and guided tours are offered for children and young people under 25.
• Disadvantages of this option: the palace is closed to the public on Tuesdays.

Another mystical place linked to the French monarchy is the Palais de Maisons-Laffitte. It is famous for jewels such as Cabinet des Miroirs, a room full of mirrors. Moreover, its staircases will take your breath away because it is difficult to find something similar in other castles.

Here I would recommend a guided tour to learn every detail about its construction. They even offer private and personalised tours to learn the secrets of the royal flats. Some of their guided activities take you on a journey back in time through their estates and the cellars of the north wing, which are not always open to the public.

Interesting details

• Price: Admission is from €9 and an information leaflet is available in English and French. Guided tours cost an additional €8.
• Duration: around two hours.
• Transport: Not usually included in guided tours, but there are several bus options and a train to Maisons-Laffitte station.
• Advantages of this option: free timetables are offered during the third week of September, although guided tours are not included.

Discover the birthplace of Henri II, Charles IX, Louis XIV and Queen Margot. The Château Saint-Germain in Laye is a stunning site with terraces overlooking the Seine Valley. It was a favourite retreat for monarchs, but over time it became a military arsenal and even a prison. It fell into disrepair, but was restored to save the original furnishings and façade.

Today you can visit it and take advantage of the opportunity to see the National Museum of Archaeology, which is a museum in a castle, a peculiar feature of former French royal residences. You can see exhibits from the Middle Ages and the Neolithic period that correspond to archaeological finds and objects recovered from the castle.

Interesting details

• Price: entrance to the castle is available for around €6. Guided tours are available from €5, depending on the selected duration.
• Duration: from one to two hours, depending on the type of tour chosen.
• Means of transport: you must get there on your own by train to Saint-Germain-en-Laye station.
• Disadvantages of this option: guides may only speak French and some areas may be closed to the public.