Château de Chamarande

About the museum

The Château de Chamarande in the Essonne was built from 1654 in the Louis XIII style for Pierre Mérault, on a site that had been occupied since the Middle Ages. In 1685 Louis XIV raised the estate to the County of Chamarande. In the 18th century the de Talaru family added outbuildings, including the orangery, and in the 19th century the park received an English-style layout, notably under Victor de Persigny, who bought the estate in 1857.

From 1922 to 1951 the château housed a training centre for the French scouting movement. The Conseil général de l’Essonne bought the estate back in 1978; the château has been listed as a monument historique since 1981. The 98-hectare park, redeveloped in the 1990s by landscape architect Jacques Sgard, holds the “Jardin remarquable” label.

Today the estate is a place for culture and nature: since 2001 the château and the orangery have housed a contemporary art centre, and the park, with a French formal garden, an English garden, meadows, woods and riverbanks, displays artists’ installations. It also hosts a summer programme of theatre, music, circus, dance and open-air cinema.

Highlights

• Louis XIII château dating from 1654
• Park of almost 100 hectares, “Jardin remarquable” label
• Contemporary art centre and installations in the park
• Free access to the park all year round
• Free treasure hunt “Paris Region Aventures”

Permanent exhibition

• Parc et œuvres d'art du domaine – Landscaped park with a French formal garden, an English garden, the orangery, a belvedere pavilion and an ice house, plus artists’ installations such as the monumental sculptures by Philippe Ramette.

Operated by

Département de l'Essonne

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Access to the park is free of charge.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The car park and toilets are wheelchair-accessible; there are no steps to the areas open to the public. The site is part of the ACCEO service for deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Free treasure hunt “Paris Region Aventures” via the app, educational visits and canoeing sessions.

Getting there & parking

The estate is about 35 km south of Paris.

Amenities & dining

Public toilets. Animals are welcome.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Rooms can be hired (according to Visit Paris Region).

Plan your visit