Paris Ile de France Chateaux and Castles

France is known for its anazing castles from medieval or renaissance times. Ile de France has been, for the last centuries, the main royal home and therefor has one of the most impressive collection of castles.

Yes, though the word 'chateau' can cover anything from a manor house to a fortified castle to a palace, usually with royal connections, such as the Chateau de Vincennes just east of Paris. Originally a manor house built in the 13th century for Philippe Auguste, and later extended, this was the birthplace of the future Charles V. However, the term chateau also includes plenty of grand residences such as the Chateau de Rambouillet, an hour south of the capital by train from Paris Montparnasse station. This is the summer home of the French president.

France's most famous and most popular chateau is Versailles, an expansive estate 13 miles south- west of Paris. It is a monument to the absolute power of the French monarchy, which was at its height during the reign of Louis XIV. Visitors to Versailles can see the private apartments and opulent state rooms, one of the highlights of which is the Hall of Mirrors. In this extraordinary room, 17 mirrors have been placed to reflect the gardens through the 17 windows that they face. This was the room where the German Empire was proclaimed by Bismarck in 1871, and where the Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919, bringing an end to the First World War.

Fontainebleau is set in a vast forest south of Paris that caught the attention of royalty as early as the 12th century, when a hunting lodge was built there. The forest is still a good reason to visit the area, but most visitors concentrate their attention on the chateau, whose construction was begun in 1528 by Franois I. The king collected many works of art of the period, which are still displayed in the galleries. The palace was enlarged over the following centuries, and seems to have remained a favourite residence of the French kings and emperors, including Napoleon, possibly because of its lack of formality compared with Versailles.

Another interesting, if less grandiose chateau in the Ile de France is the Chateau de Chantilly, rebuilt after the revolution and, like Fontainebleau, surrounded by a lovely forest. It has a claim to culinary fame as it was here that came Chantilly, or sweetened whipped cream, was first popularised.