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This fairytale castle transforms into a Christmas kingdom just 1 hour from Paris

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The Editor

© Chateau de Breteuil

As winter draws closer, the capital and its surroundings are getting ready to light up for the festive season. Throughout the Île-de-France region, castles and monuments are revealing spectacular decorations and programs to enchant you. Among them, one very special place that, not only does it immerse you in the magic of Perrault's fairy tales year-round, but doubles down on the enchantment for Christmas 2026.

This year for the holidays, the magic of Christmas takes over the Château de Breteuil once again, creating a magical setting alongside the famous wax figures of the place. Starting Saturday, December 5th, head to the Chevreuse valley, in the Yvelines, to discover this world straight from the greatest fairy tales. On the agenda: shows, sparkling lights, giant Christmas trees… In short, a full-fledged Christmas festival.


A place where history and magic meet

Before diving into the winter festivities organized by Château de Breteuil, let's take a quick look back at the history of this exceptional place

It was in 1712 that the château came into the possession of the Breteuil family, and gained its current name. Today, the property spans over 75 hectares, and includes the château, whose interior has been classified as a historic monument since 1961, and its exterior, classified since 1973. Its magnificent park, also classified, features a French-style garden and an absolutely stunning English-style park (with a maze as a bonus) which earned it the title of "remarkable garden." But what truly makes this place so special are its exceptional staged experiences.

Whether in the castle rooms, in the park pathways or in the outbuildings scattered throughout the estate, Breteuil boasts around fifty automata and wax statues, created by the experts from the Grevin Museum. While most of them are used for historical recreations, literally transporting us back in time, twenty of them are instead dedicated to a far more magical purpose. And indeed, scattered here and there are characters from Perrault's fairy tales, recreating symbolic scenes. You can see Donkeyskin (portrayed by Catherine Deneuve) preparing a cake, Little Red Riding Hood in her grandmother's bedroom, Puss in Boots, the Sleeping Beauty…


Magical Festivities

And once again, for the year-end celebrations, the Breteuil Castle has prepared programming and decoration that will take your breath away. Every room in the castle gets customized in the most beautiful (or kitschiest ?) way possible. Gifts pile up at the foot of the Christmas trees, Christmas dinners take their place on the tables, fires purr in the fireplaces, garlands and baubles take over every corner.

And while the full schedule hasn't been revealed just yet, we're expecting amazing entertainment, similar to what was imagined last year: Christmas fairy tale storytelling, family adventures, meetings with Santa Claus, and outdoor light displays once night falls. And while nothing's been confirmed yet, we're also hoping to see the triumphant return of the Christmas Festival, a real festive weekend to wrap up the year in style!

Grand Christmas at Breteuil Castle
Choisel (78460)
From December 5, 2026 to January 3, 2027
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