There are many castles in Île-de-France, with dozens and dozens to explore! Some are very (too?) famous, like Versailles or Vincennes. However, there are others that are a little less recognized, and we truly regret that. For example, Vaux-le-Vicomte (our favorite ever) and Rambouillet, a castle that is deeply linked to the history of our country and its leaders, which offers a simply idyllic setting for your next getaways.
All of French history within 4 walls
The history of the Rambouillet castle begins in 1368, when a man named Jean Bernier purchases a simple manor to transform it into a real fortified castle. A few years later, the castle is sold to the d’Angennes family, who keep it for 3 centuries. Hundreds of years that mark the evolution of our nation's history.
the beginning of the relationship between the building and the kings of France, since François I, while attending a hunting party, died on March 31, 1547.See this post on Instagram
Later, in 1706, it was Louis-Alexandre de Bourbon, the legitimate son of Louis XIV and Madame de Montespan, who purchased the estate. He then undertook a major series of renovations, and welcomed his father and his brother.
e le Dauphin on several occasions. In 1783, it is finally Louis XVI himself who becomes the owner of the place, to make it his hunting ground. He secretly built a magnificent farm and a dairy for his wife Marie-Antoinette, who hated the castle (and yes, we know, everyone has their tastes, but she can be a little difficult, don’t you think?).
A Presidential Residence
After the French Revolution, the castle saw some royal leaders pass through, like Napoleon I and Charles X, both of whom stopped by on their way to exile. Napoleon III also stayed there a few times before the fall of the Second Empire, which transformed the castle from a royal residence to a presidential abode. Indeed, starting from 1883, the presidents of the Republic, astheir predecessors have taken the habit of coming here to hunt.
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In 1895, Félix Faure simply made it his summer residence. This example was followed by all subsequent presidents until René Coty, whose wife passed away there in 1955. After that, the château continued to be a very popular hunting ground for Georges Pompidou or Valéry Giscard d’Estaing for example, even holds some of his Council of Ministers meetings there. The estate was finally returned in 2009 by Nicolas Sarkozy, and has been open to the public since then.
A place of incredible charm
The château has a absolutely fascinating history, shaped by some of the greatest names in French history. And at the same time, when you take a closer look at the estate, you understand why it could attract such wonderful people. Rambouillet is a stunning château, composed of a vast estate of 980 hectares, filled with delightful little secret spots, like the dairy mentioned earlier, or the magnificent shell cottage.
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The area offers an incredible playground right in the heart of the Rambouillet forest, which is also home to a beautiful wildlife park spanning several hundred hectares. It's a magical place where you can spot deer, fawns, stags, fallow deer, and all sorts of cervids. You might also see wild boars, birds of prey, and all kinds of insects. Rambouillet is truly the dream destination for soaking up history, culture, and nature!
Address: 78120 Rambouillet, FranceAddress: Rte du Coin du Bois, 78120 Sonchamp, France
