Description
Over the years the 14th century fortified castle has provided shelter for many distinguished figures, who gradually transformed it into a leisure residence acquired by Louis XVI. In the second half of the eighteenth century, it was bordered by a “jardin à la française”, or French formal garden, consisting of several canals and six islands, and an English landscaped garden.
In this haven of greenery you can find two remarkable places: Built by the Duke of Penthièvre for the Princesse de Lamballe between 1779 and 1780, Shell Cottage boasts one of the finest pearl and shell decors in Europe. Nearby, the Queen’s Dairy, built at the request of Louis XVI for Marie Antoinette, is home to the group statue of “Amalthea and the Nymph” by Pierre Julien.
Site with the “Outstanding Garden” label.
Viewpoint
Epoque des collections
- Byzance (IVe - XVe)
- Moyen Age (Ve - XVe)
- Gothique (XIIe - XVe)
- Rococo (XVIIIe)
- Néoclassicisme (XVIIIe - XIXe)
- Romantisme (XVIIIe - XIXe)
Garden
Services

Services and facilities of the establishment
- Gift shop
- Bookshop
- Member of the Paris Museum Pass
Languages spoken
- English
Documentation in a foreign language
- English
- German
- Spanish
- Italian
- Dutch
- Russian
Combined tickets
Ticket includes the castle, the Queen's Dairy and the Shell CottagePrices and times
Entrance fees and modalities
Independent tour
Group tour
Group : €7.50; Information and reservations for tours of the estate (chateau, dairy and cottage) and a ride around the gardens in a horse-drawn carriage. Tel: +33 (0)1 34 83 00 25. Fax: +33 (0)1 34 94 28 58. Email: rambouillet-reservation@monuments-nationaux.fr.Free
Free for young people and children
Under 18s.Closing times
TuesdayOpening times
Exceptional opening
- Easter
- Easter Monday
- Ascension Day
- 8 May
- Whitsuntide
- Whit Monday
- 14 July
- 15 August
Contact
Voir la carte
-
SNCF - Rambouillet
Disability
Access facilities
- Free admission for disabled visitors on presentation of proof
- Free admission for the accompanying person
Accessibility information
You can find all you need to know about accessibility within France's national monuments on www.handicap.monuments-nationaux.fr
Extend your search
Chateau in the same district: Rambouillet
Chateau in Paris and in the Paris Region: Chateau