The Château de Rambouillet located 45 minutes from Paris, will immerse you in the intimate history of France.

A true haven of peace

Discovering the history of the castle means entering into the intimacy of one of the favorite stays of princes, kings and presidents for nearly six centuries. But the Château de Rambouillet is above all known for its recent history. That of the presidential occupation which has just ended !
Jealously kept secret for many years, certain private spaces are gradually opening up to the public, lifting the veil on the secrets of their history. Did you know, for example, that more than half of the Presidents of the Republic have stayed here ?
It all started in 1895 when Félix Faure, president under the Third Republic, decided to make Rambouillet a summer residence. A true haven of peace, the place is ideal for combining family life and high-level diplomatic meetings, in a relaxed style.

A place of confidences

Can you imagine all the confidences exchanged here ? Foreign heads of state or crowned heads, many personalities have been invited to Rambouillet : from David D. Eisenhower to John F. Kennedy, from Nikita Khrushchev to Mikhail Gorbachev, from the Emperor of Japan to Queen Elizabeth II.
It was also in Rambouillet that President Giscard d’Estaing chose to organise, in 1975, the first G6 in history, which brought together the heads of state of the 6 most industrialized countries!
However, the presidents did not “invent” Rambouillet. On the contrary, they place themselves in a long tradition of occupation… Let’s go back in time !
The first to perceive the exception of the place is called Jean Bernier. Adviser to King Charles V, he acquired a small manor here in 1368 which he transformed into a fortified castle. We are then in the middle of the Hundred Years War and the English are not far away…

King François I died at the Château de Rambouillet

Towards the end of the 14th century, Rambouillet was acquired by the powerful family of Angennes. The castle is gradually transformed into a pleasure residence where life is good. It remains in the family for nearly three centuries !
Did you know ? King François I died at the Château de Rambouillet. In fragile health, he fell ill during a hunt near Rambouillet. His friend, Jacques d’Angennes, rushes him back to the castle to treat him. In vain: he breathed his last there on the night of March 30, 1547.

The property of King Louis XVI

Rambouillet then becomes the property of King Louis XVI. A story of lust we say? Louis XVI has been eyeing Rambouillet for many years… He is looking for a refuge to protect himself from the pressure of Versailles and indulge his passion for hunting in peace! The Duke of Penthièvre cannot oppose the wishes of his royal cousin…
The King therefore bought the castle in 1783, for the sum of 16 million pounds, i.e. 100 times more than Fleuriau d’Armenonville barely a century earlier!
Louis XVI ordered the development, in Rambouillet, of an experimental farm to accommodate a flock of merino sheep imported from Spain.
The gardens serve as a nursery to test the acclimatization of species from botanical trips! Keep an eye out during your next visit: bald cypresses, Virginia tulip trees, ginkgo biloba and many others still adorn Rambouillet Park.

Marie-Antoinette did not like Rambouillet

Only “hiccup” in the story? His wife Marie-Antoinette does not like Rambouillet. Yet Louis XVI has reserved a nice surprise for her: a superb dairy and its menagerie, specially designed for her by the famous painter Hubert Robert.
But nothing helps: the Trianon of the Palace of Versailles makes him happy!
In 1804, Napoleon took possession of a castle in very poor condition, damaged by the Revolution. Significant work was then undertaken. The Emperor wanted to make Rambouillet a place of retreat where he could live simply, surrounded by his family between two military campaigns.
The work carried out at this time forever changed the appearance of the castle: one wing was destroyed with dynamite! The facade was redesigned and a new apartment was fitted out for the Emperor. The gardens are not forgotten : nearly 40,000 trees have been planted.
Napoleon likes Rambouillet. He comes there very regularly and attaches himself to the staff of the place: as proof, the caretaker of the castle will even have a place in his will !

Castle hours

From April 1 to September 30
10 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.
From October 1 to March 31
10 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Note: last access to the monument, 30 minutes before closing.
Closed on Tuesdays and on January 1, May 1 and December 25.
Park hours
From April 1 to September 30
8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
From October 1 to March 31
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Free access to the park
Note: last access to the park 30 minutes before closing.
https://www.chateau-rambouillet.fr/