Built as an 18th-century pleasure palace by royal architect Jean-Baptiste Bullet de Chamblain, today the Château de Champs-sur-Marne has been returned to its former glory. A prime example of classical French architecture, the palace’s opulent decor speaks to its regal history, while its 210 acres (84 hectares) of formal gardens are just as notable as its interior. Some multi-day tours of the Seine and Loire valleys combine the Château de Champs-sur-Marne with other glorious châteaux and vineyards.
You can buy admission tickets to the château from the on-site office. Most visits are self-led, though French-language tours are offered occasionally.
The bulk of the château and its grounds are accessible to wheelchair users.
Children, youths, and disabled visitors receive free entry to the castle; everyone can enter for free on the first Sunday of the month from November to March.
Audio guides are available in French, Spanish, Russian, and English, and are provided for a small additional fee.
Pets, strollers, and large bags and suitcases are all prohibited.
You can bring your own picnic and enjoy it in several designated areas in the gardens.
The Château de Champs-sur-Marne is located right on the Marne River, between Paris and Disneyland Paris. It’s located at 31, Rue de Paris, 77420 Champs-sur-Marne. If traveling from Paris via public transport, take the RER A to Noisiel and walk for 20 minutes (or take bus lines 100 or 220). If driving, take the A4; it is a 15-mile (24-kilometer) trip. The same directions apply if coming from Disneyland Paris, but in the opposite direction.
The Château de Champs-sur-Marne is open every day except Tuesday, from morning until early evening (including a 75-minute closure for lunch). Hours are slightly reduced during the October to May low season, and the château is always closed on the public holidays of January 1, May 1, and December 25.
For a different—but no less impressive—château visit in Île-de-France, discover the Château de Vincennes (located in the Bois de Vincennes, just southeast of Paris proper). With its dramatic medieval architecture—including its soaring fortified tower—the château offers a strong visual counterpoint to the Château de Champs-sur-Marne’s classical look.