The 10 most beautiful castles in Yvelines
10 châteaux
Chosen among 147 recorded castles
What to see in Yvelines when you only have a weekend: the 10 most visited castles according to their visitors’ reviews, among those open to the public whose visiting conditions we checked on the official website. For each: what you see, the entry price, the link to the full entry.
Ranked by attendance, from the number of Google reviews. “Beautiful” is your word; what we measure is what visitors choose.
No. 1
Chateau-Neuf de Saint-Germain-en-Laye
Saint-Germain-en-Laye
The Château Neuf of Saint-Germain-en-Laye recalls a royal residence built in the second half of the 16th century, of which the original building no longer stands. It was within these now-vanished walls that the future Louis XIV was born.
Adult €6Hours, prices and access
No. 2
Château de la Madeleine (Madeleine Castle)
Chevreuse
The Château de la Madeleine overlooks the town of Chevreuse in the Yvelines department, with views across the valley it once guarded. Dating back to the 11th century, this former fortified castle remains well preserved, allowing visitors to trace its defensive architecture clearly.
Free entryHours, prices and access
No. 3
Château de Marly (Marly Castle)
Marly-le-Roi
The Château de Marly stands in Marly-le-Roi, in the Yvelines department, a building whose origins date back to the second half of the 16th century. Listed as a historic monument, it reflects the architecture of that period near Paris.
Adult €7Hours, prices and access
No. 4
Château de Villiers-le-Mahieu
Villiers-le-Mahieu
Located in Villiers-le-Mahieu, in the Yvelines department, this castle traces its origins to the 13th century and underwent a major remodelling in the 17th century that shaped much of its present appearance. Listed as a historic monument, the building now operates as a hotel.
No. 5
Château de Plaisir (Plaisir Castle)
Plaisir
Château de Plaisir, built in the 17th century in the Yvelines, is a listed monument representing French architectural heritage. The estate includes the main building, outbuildings with period facades and roofing, and its surrounding park. The entire complex was protected by decree in 1961.
No. 6
Château du Haut-Buc (Haut-Buc Castle)
Buc
In Buc, in the Yvelines, the château du Haut-Buc stands on a site tied to the history of Versailles: Louis XIV is said to have lodged his illegitimate son, the comte de Toulouse, here before the building was torn down on Louis XV's orders in 1740. The current structure, built between 1864 and 1866 for a Parisian…
No. 7
Château de Dampierre (Dampierre Castle)
Dampierre-en-Yvelines
Set in the Chevreuse valley, Dampierre castle stands on the site of a medieval manor, remodelled during the Renaissance and then rebuilt in the late 17th century by Jules Hardouin-Mansart for the Duke of Chevreuse, Colbert's son-in-law.
Adult €10Hours, prices and access
No. 8
Château d'Épône (Épône Castle)
Épône
château d'Épône, in Épône (Yvelines), France. Location, access and practical information.
No. 9
Château de Méridon (Méridon Castle)
Chevreuse
The château de Méridon stands in Chevreuse, on the side of the valley opposite the château de la Madeleine, close to the château de Breteuil. The current building, in neo-renaissance style, was erected at the end of the 19th century on the site of a medieval estate that had fallen into ruin.
No. 10
Château des Mesnuls (Mesnuls Castle)
Les Mesnuls
In Les Mesnuls, in the Yvelines, this château combines brick and stone in the Louis XIII style, its history shaped by generations of builders across several centuries.
Every castle in Yvelines (147)Which ones open this weekend?
Frequently asked questions
- What is the most beautiful castle in Yvelines?
- The most visited in Yvelines is Chateau-Neuf de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, first in this selection according to its visitors’ reviews. All 10 castles listed are open to visitors with checked hours.
- How much does a visit cost?
- The adult entry price is shown under each castle when the official website publishes it; 1 of these castles are free.
- How is this selection made?
- Among the 147 castles recorded in Yvelines, we keep those open to the public with a photo, then rank by number of Google reviews. No castle pays to appear.