THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CASTLE ON ILE DE FRANCE: CHATEAU DE SCEAUX
Last Updated on 23rd May 2021 by Sophie Nadeau
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So you’re looking to escape the crowds of Paris? I feel you! We’ve all been there, lining up to visit Monet’s world renowned waterlilies, struggling to glimpse a quick peek of the Mona Lisa; all the while dodging selfie sticks left, right and centre. So now you’ve spent a couple of days in Paris and you fancy a little repose from the city, a day retreat? However, you know that Versailles can be even more crowded than Paris! Cue: the delightful town of Sceaux.
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Why visit Sceaux?
Situated at the end of RER line B, the Chateau de Sceaux, woods, garden and town at Sceaux are all with a half hour train ride from the centre of Paris. Everyone has heard of the Chateau at Versailles and the popular alternative, the Chateau at Fontainebleau but fewer have heard of the sizeably smaller Chateau de Sceaux.
With less tourists and some amazing photo opportunities, you’d be hard pressed to find a better place for a day trip from Paris than the quaint little town and Chateau de Sceaux. Film fans should also know that many parts of the TV series Versailles were filmed at Sceaux.
Château de Sceaux
Although there has been a chateau on the grounds since the 15th century, little remains of the original structure. Unfortunately, the original Château was destroyed during the turmoil of the French revolution. The building had been purchased by a merchant from Saint-Malo who didn’t think that the dilapidated building was worth saving.
Luckily for us, a family friend of Napoleon inherited the land at some point in the 19th century and set about rebuilding the Château, restoring it to its former glory. With the arrival of spring comes the chance to relax and wander around outside again (without having to wrap up in 46262 jumpers).
The castle was rebuilt in the mid 18th Century, hence the style of architecture. Within the museums collections, are one of the biggest collections of Parisian school painters (so there are always new exhibitions to see within the chateau).
All in all, the architecture is absolutely breathtaking and I’ve already revisited the site three times within a shorter amount of months! If you’re lucky with the weather, there are also a fair few opportunites to take some puddlegrams (if not, create your own by bringing a bottle of water with you)!
Gardens of Sceaux
If landscaped gardens are your thing, then you’ve definitely come to the right place. There are enough fountains, pruned trees and open green spaces to ensure as many different picnic spots as days of the year. Did I mention that the grounds are free to visit?! With a grand canal to rival that of Versailles and access open to cyclists and runners alike, it’s the perfect day out for anyone.
Sceaux in Spring
If you are visiting in April, then make sure you keep an eye on Instagram to make sure you arrive at the optimal time to see the cherry blossom orchard that’s located in the grounds of Sceaux in bloom.
As well as being of the prettiest towns in the Ile de France region (and a personal favourite of mine), the quaint town of Sceaux (and more specifically the park there) has one of the most breathtaking cherry blossom orchards that you could ever hope to see during cherry blossom season in Paris!
Exploring the town of Sceaux
If you want to get a feel of a French town without leaving Ile de France, then Sceaux is your town. Filled with quaint litltle patisserie shops, boulangeries, you can wander through the mass of tiny boutiques and little streets for hours.
But my favourite time of the day has got to be when I got a patisserie. Hand on heart, I don’t think that I’ve ever eaten a pastry so good as the chocolate creation I purchased from l’Etoile du Berger. And if you don’t believe me, here’s what happened earlier: I was wandering around the town, trying to find my way to one of the four RER train stops of Sceaux when I asked a local man for directions. His first question to me was; ‘have you tried the bread from l’Etoile de Berger?’ Yes, I think we can all agree it’s the kind of patisserie shop that macaron dreams are made of!
How to visit Sceaux as a day trip from Paris
Situated on ReR Line B, Sceaux is barely a thirty-minute train ride from the centre of Paris. If you’re looking for a typically French town, then Sceaux is it. With cobblestone alleys, cute little cafés and entire orchards of cherry blossoms, visiting Sceaux in Spring is the perfect escape from the crowds of Paris.
Around six miles from the center of Paris, the château is now a museum of local history. The Château was formerly the residence of Jean-Baptiste Colbert, minister of finance to Louis XIV (known as the sun king).
Oh, how I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall for some of the conversations that took places within these walls… Even if you’re not too interested in history, it’s definitely worth a peek inside purely to see the French decor!
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Thank you so much for recommending l’Etoile du Berger! I loved it. I realized there is another one in Paris really close to where I am staying too. Their bread and pastries are incredible.
This Chateau looks absolutely beautiful! I would love to visit one day. I could spend years in France and never feel like I’ve seen enough of it!