This time of the year I’m dreaming more of walks on the French Rivera with its landscape of parasol pines and seaside palms, or relaxing in a pool cantilevered over the sea …
But since work keeps me in the city, a day at the chateau can be a glorious option when in need to escape. Paris has the best train connections to some insanely beautiful castles. Here a few favourites, I’ve been lucky enough to visit.
1.
@audreyparisphoto
Between 1848 and 1870 Henri d’Orléans, duc d’Aumale, recruited the most competent art experts to enrich his ancestral Château de Chantilly upon his return to France. The result: the second finest collection of paintings in France after the Louvre gathered at Musée Condé. “Chantilly is perhaps not as well known as Versailles outside France,” says Nicole Garnier the museum curator but “International visitors tell me they are so amazed when they come to the Musée Condé by the diversity and quality, maintained in all aspects of the visit.”
@bethanylord
@tomagarnier
@p_aymeric
@p_aymeric
@audreyparisphoto
2.
Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte is 35 miles southeast of Paris, near the tiny village of Melun. In 1875, Alfred Sommier, who made his fortune in the sugar business, bought it and restored the property to its former (though short-lived) glory. The château is currently cared for by the fifth generation of the Vogüé family. “When we were kids, my two brothers and I occasionally searched for an adrenaline rush, something a bit scary that we weren’t permitted to do, like running through the tour circuit of the château, jumping on the king’s bed, hiding in the fireplaces and finally ending up in the attic, surrounded by old chairs, paintings and pieces of furniture covered with dust and spider webs ” says Alexandre de Vogüé.
@chateauvlv
3.
@dana_chels
Located to the southeast of Paris, Château de Fontainebleau dates from 1137, and it’s been said that this was the château that Napoléon preferred to Versailles. The château displays a great architectural achievement as well as 320 acres of royal parks and gardens to explore on foot or by bike. As for the interior, it’s decorated in a variation of quintessentially Royal French style combined with the artistry of the Italian Renaissance. Every single room is overwhelming in richness.
@dana_chels
