Château de Saint-Germain-Beaupré

Château de Saint-Germain-Beaupré is a Renaissance castle featuring defensive moats, a drawbridge entrance, and elegant facades that reflect its 16th-century origins. The interior contains a vaulted staircase from that era and the main residence includes multiple rooms arranged across a substantial lived-in space.

The castle was built in 1533 on the foundations of a 12th-century fortress, replacing earlier structures that had undergone reconstruction between 1407 and 1409. King Henry IV visited the site in 1605 when such estates still held strategic importance for the royal family.

The Grande Mademoiselle, daughter of King Louis XIV, visited this castle in 1666 and recorded her stay in personal writings that captured life in such noble residences. These accounts offer insight into how aristocrats moved between their properties during that period.

The grounds spread across several lakes and open areas in a somewhat remote location, so plan travel time accordingly and check access details beforehand. Since this is a private property, visiting requires advance arrangements rather than walk-in access.

The castle retains an ancient water system from the Roman period, with underground stone channels connecting it to natural water sources. This hidden network reveals how Renaissance builders revived and adapted earlier engineering solutions.