Paris is much more than just a capital city: it is a department in its own right, the smallest in France in terms of area but one of the richest in historical heritage. Whilst the notion of a ‘château’ may seem incongruous here at first glance, the city and its historic suburbs are nevertheless home to former royal and aristocratic residences that bear witness to centuries of power.
The Château de Vincennes, a medieval royal fortress on the outskirts of Paris, was one of the principal residences of the kings of France before Versailles. Its keep, the tallest in Europe, and its Gothic Sainte-Chapelle make it an exceptional monument. The Louvre itself, before becoming the world’s largest museum, was a fortified castle and then a royal palace, the medieval remains of which can be seen in the cellars.
Paris is also home to numerous mansions and palaces which, although distinct from the classic country château, embody the same tradition of stately residences: the Palais-Royal, the Élysée, Matignon, the Palais du Luxembourg… all buildings that tell the political and social history of France since the 17th century.