Chateau de Sceaux Day Trip from Paris
Chateau de Sceaux is the perfect day trip from Paris, France.
If you’ve already been to the famous Chateau de Versailles and you’re looking for an alternative, or if you just want to avoid the insane crowds at Versailles, I highly recommend a day trip to Chateau de Sceaux.
This small, serene chateau and its gorgeous gardens are located in Sceaux, a suburb south of Paris. Many tourists have no idea about this lovely chateau that is just a short train ride from central Paris!
I visited Chateau de Sceaux on a chilly Saturday afternoon in late March and there was hardly anyone there. However, I’ve heard that during the summer months, the chateau and its surrounding parks and gardens are more lively because it’s a popular spot for locals to come enjoy a walk or a picnic.
It’s the perfect place to spend an afternoon and makes for a very easy day trip from Paris.
History of Chateau de Sceaux
Chateau de Sceaux is quite small (in comparison to Versailles or another grand palace in France) but the real highlight of a visit here is the beautiful gardens! The sprawling park and gardens behind the house were designed by André Le Nôtre, who also designed the gardens of Versailles.
The original chateau at Sceaux was built for the wealthy Potier de Gesvres family in the late 16th century. In the late 17th century, the chateau was inherited by Jean-Baptiste Colbert, Marquis de Seignelay. He expanded the grounds of the chateau and this is when much of the garden was laid out by Le Nôtre.
However, the original chateau was completely demolished in the late 18th century during the French Revolution. Some of the smaller outbuildings were kept intact, as well as the gardens.
During the 1850s, a new chateau was built in the style of the early 17th century. This chateau (the one that still exists today) is considerably smaller than the original one, but it’s still very beautiful.
Getting There
Getting to Chateaux de Sceaux is extremely easy.
You just need to take a southbound RER B train from any RER B station in Paris (such as Chatelet – Les Halles or Saint Michel – Notre-Dame.) The RER is the regional train that connects Paris to its suburbs, going further than the Paris Metro. You can buy your RER tickets from any ticket machine at the station.
You can either get off at Bourg la Reine, and then walk about 20 minutes to reach Chateau de Sceaux, or wait one more stop and get off at Sceaux, and then walk about 15 minutes to get there.
It doesn’t really matter which one you choose, because the total time is about the same.
The time on the train is about 20 minutes, and the total travel time from Paris is 35 to 40 minutes.
If you’re driving, there’s a large free parking lot right outside the entrance of the chateau. From central Paris, it’s about a 40-minute drive to Chateau de Sceaux depending on how traffic is.
How Much Does It Cost?
Chateaux de Sceaux is a very cost-effective day trip! (Much cheaper than Versailles.)
The RER tickets are €5 each way, and admission to the chateau is just €4. If you go on the first Sunday of the month, it’s free, and it’s always free if you’re under 26 years old.
That means the total cost of a day trip to Chateau de Sceaux is just €14 max.
When You Should Go
The gardens at Chateau de Sceaux are free and open to the public every day.
However, the chateau itself is only open from 2 PM to 6:30 PM Tuesday through Sunday from March 1 until October 31, and from 1 PM to 5 PM Tuesday through Sunday from November 1 until February 28.
The chateau is closed on Mondays and on public holidays.
For this reason, I recommend visiting Chateau de Sceaux in the afternoon, arriving in time for the chateau to open, and then leaving yourself a few hours to see the chateau and explore the gardens.
Obviously, don’t go on a Monday since the chateau is closed (although the gardens are still open.)
If you have limited time in Paris and don’t want to do a full-day trip, Sceaux is the perfect option. You can easily leave in the early afternoon, spend a few hours there, and be back in Paris before dinner.
Things to Do at Chateau de Sceaux
What is there to do at Chateaux de Sceaux?
Here are the best things to do on your day trip here:
Tour the inside of the chateau. As mentioned above, this isn’t the original chateau — that one was destroyed during the French Revolution, and the current smaller chateau was built in the 1850s. It’s still very beautiful inside and worth a visit to see the elegant rooms and artwork of the chateau.
Explore the gardens. Behind the chateau, you’ll find grand landscaped gardens and parks with plenty of walking trails. You can easily spend an hour or two strolling through the gardens on a nice day. Don’t miss walking along the Grand Canal, a tranquil body of water that runs through part of the park.
Enjoy a picnic outside. Chateau de Sceaux is the perfect location for a picnic! You can either pack your own or buy sandwiches, pastries, and drinks from the small outdoor cafe right next to the chateau. There are some benches in the gardens, or you can bring your own picnic blanket and sit on the grass.
This is a great place to spend a relaxing afternoon, especially on a nice, sunny day!
Day Trip to Chateaux de Sceaux
Chateau de Sceaux is definitely a hidden gem and one of my favorite easy day trips from Paris. It’s the perfect location to spend an afternoon away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
If you’ve already been to Versailles and want to see something new, this is a great destination.
I hope you found this guide helpful, and enjoy your visit to Chateau de Sceaux!
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