A must-see attraction in Yvelines, the Rambouillet estate is located between Versailles and Chartres and owes its renown to the prestigious 22,000-hectare forest where the great royal hunts used to take place. It was here that Francis I, who loved to hunt on these game-filled grounds, passed away in 1547.
This former medieval fortress, built in the 14th century, was partly destroyed around 1425, during the Hundred Years War, before being rebuilt and gradually transformed into a pleasure residence. Illustrious owners, including Louis XVI and Napoleon I, invested in the property and developed it. Then, for more than a century, it became the summer residence of the French presidents.
You can admire the sumptuous decor of this furnished château, from the 16th-century Marble Room to the Empire-style furniture in the dining room, through the rococo decor of Marie-Antoinette's apartments.
The Château de Rambouillet is surrounded by an immense 150-hectare park, which was awarded Remarkable Garden status in 2004. A French formal garden, with a network of canals forming a string of geometric islands, sits alongside an undulating English-style garden covering 25 hectares. The winding paths, dotted with small bridges over meandering streams, lead to two exceptional sites: the Seashell Cottage, created by the Duke of Penthièvre for the Princess of Lamballe, and the Queen's Dairy, a gift from Louis XVI to his wife Marie-Antoinette. The park features sculptures by Simon Mazière, Pierre Legros and René Frémin.
The estate is also home to the National Sheepfold, created under Louis XVI, and its famous Merino sheep. The aim of this educational farm is to educate young people about the workings of a farm and sustainable development.
Rambouillet is a commune in the Ile-de-France department in the Yvelines department in northwestern France. Located about forty kilometers from Paris and about thirty kilometers from Versailles and its famous castle, it is also part of the Regional Natural Park of the High Valley of Chevreuse for its non-urbanized part.
Formerly crossed by the Beauvais-Orléans route, the commune of Rambouillet had a human occupation since Antiquity. Owned from the royal domain as of the ninth century, it became a seigneurie in its own right at the beginning of the 14th century. Rambouillet is a real development with the arrival of the railway in the XIXth century, which connects it with the rest of the Parisian region. The castle of Rambouillet, it is still known today to host important international meetings, and has had the opportunity to host many statesmen.
Tourist, the commune of Rambouillet still has an important architectural heritage, but also natural, which gives it a unique charm.
Classified as Historic Monuments, the castle of Rambouillet was built in the second half of the fourteenth century. Known for having welcomed François de Rabelais and François I, who died there, the building was a royal residence until the President of the Republic, Félix Faure, made it a summer residence of the presidency French. It remained so until 2009, hosting numerous international meetings of great scale. Now open to the public, the castle has undergone a major restoration campaign in the second half of 2010, unveiling many rooms like the old dining room where Charles X signed his abdication, baths of Napoleon I, the Council Chamber and its tapestry of the Gobelins factory, or the Francis I tower. Several outbuildings are added to the castle, like the famous national sheepfold created by Louis XIV to install a herd of Merino sheep. A circuit allows visitors to discover the different animals still on site, and a national ovine breeding school was opened in 1939. A small sheep museum, in particular, traces the culture of wool. Not far away, the castle's French-style park opens its groves, revealing a hermitage, a cave surmounted by a Chinese kiosk, or canals and islands. In the center, the Queen's Dairy, a small neoclassical temple built to seduce Queen Marie Antoinette, stands proudly. Be sure to visit the shellfish cottage, built in the 18th century for the Princesse de Lamballe. In the center of the English garden, it features eighteenth-century automata, as well as a decoration mixing marble and shells.
Built at the end of the 18th century and now listed as a Historical Monument, the palace of the King of Rome was modified by Napoleon I to become the residence of his son. Today it is owned by the city of Rambouillet, and it hosts exhibitions and other cultural events. A goose game museum was also set up, unveiling eighty French and foreign goose games.
Built in the mid-19th century, the church of Saint-Lubin and Saint-Jean-Baptiste replaces the original church built in the 10th century. Inscribed in the Historical Monuments, it is the work of a pupil of Viollet-le-Duc and hosts a piece of the true Cross brought back from Holy Land.
Opened in the 1980s, the Rambolitrain is a museum dedicated to model railway, one of the most important in France. Tracing the history of the railroad from the origins to the present day, it reveals in particular collections of toy trains.
Stretching over 200 km², the forest of Rambouillet is a pleasant place for outings with family or friends. It is the second largest forest in the department in terms of attendance. Do not miss the Space Rambouillet, a place to observe the animals of the forest.
As you walk through Rambouillet, you will be able to admire the Memorial and Reconnaissance Monument, which pays tribute to the American troops who liberated the city in 1944.
Markets take place in the morning, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. The city also organizes an important Christmas market in December with illuminations, animations and craft stands. A flea market is offered at the beginning of October.
In January, the town proposes its biennale of animal sculpture.
Every third weekend of May, Rambouillet celebrates the feast of Muguet with a parade of tanks and the election of Miss Muguet.
For July 14, the city offers its traditional ball, as well as a great fireworks display.
Every other year, in September, the city puts forward the feast of Saint-Lubin with an old-fashioned cattle market and various activities. The next edition will take place in 2018.
In September, the 24 Towers of Rambouillet are an exhibition of pre-war and post-war old cars.
In September, place at the Festiphoto of the forest of Rambouillet with its competition and its exhibitions.
Every year for the first Sunday in October, the Rambouillet Rétro offers steam train rides, or introductions to the remote-controlled train.
In November, place at the market of the gastronomy and the craft industry.
