Fancy an elegant break in the heart of the Yvelines? Would you like to discover the Ile-de-France and its treasures, for a break in the green without having to go too far? Head for Rambouillet!
City of Art and History, Rambouillet, royal city, takes place on the edge of the famous Rambouillet Forest. Far from the hustle and bustle of Paris, Rambouillet is the charm of the countryside in the city. If we talk a lot about Rambouillet, it is above all for its natural heritage. Its large forest, planted with pines and lush oaks, is a real paradise for nature lovers. Adored by locals and visitors alike, it is a well-known walking area for hikers, mountain bikers and horse riders who will find many loops and other routes perfect for discovering the forest that spreads over more than 200 km2. If the flora is abundant here, so is the fauna! For Rambouillet is a bit of a paradise for wild animals, here you will often meet wild boars, roe deer, and deer of course, the emblematic animal of this historic town whose roar can be heard in early autumn.
Rambouillet is also a remarkable built heritage, led by an absolutely magnificent castle. Built between 1368 and 1384, the Château de Rambouillet is a former royal, but also imperial and presidential residence. Visited in turn by François Rabelais, François I, Napoleon, Marie-Antoinette, Charles X, but also Félix Faure, it is worth the detour for the magnificence of its architecture and its interior decorations. On the estate, after visiting the castle, we can only recommend you to make a stopover at the Bergerie Nationale de Rambouillet. Created in 1785 by the will of Louis XVI, this large farm is home to many merino sheep, as well as cows, angora goats, sheep, but also chickens, pigs and rabbits that you can discover via a small circuit through the sheepfold. Another must in Rambouillet, its gardens! Spread over more than 150 hectares, and classified as Remarkable Gardens, these historic gardens, which have seen the History of France unfold over the centuries, can be discovered on foot, but also by bicycle, small electric car, go-kart, tandem or rosalie. To do absolutely? The visit by boat on the canals of the castle, for a refreshing discovery, at your own pace, playful and romantic! Still in the Rambouillet estate, in the heart of the English garden, the Chaumière aux coquillages is worth the detour for its particularly elegant decorations, as is the Queen's Dairy, a gift from King Louis XVI to his wife Marie-Antoinette, which surprises by the delicacy of its decorations worthy of the most beautiful Greek temples.
With the family? Visit also the Rambolitrain Museum totally dedicated to the world of model trains and railways, with more than 4000 collection pieces, or the Palace of Rome built under Louis XVI, which today hosts exhibitions throughout the year. The neo-gothic Saint-Lubin church and its 18th century organ, but also the heart of Rambouillet and its beautiful 18th century buildings, without forgetting Versailles and its castle some thirty kilometres further north, are all visits that will make your holiday in Rambouillet unforgettable.