Paris Chateaux  Although the Loire valley or the Dordogne are really the places to go for chateaux lovers, the Paris region boasts two chateaux that are totally spectacular!  With so much space in the grounds the children will love the freedom here (I still remember a trip to the Château de Versailles when I was in my teens, more than twenty years ago - Webmaster!)

Château de Versailles

Location: West of the Paris metropolis, the palace is best accessed by RER line C
from Montparnasse station, direction of Versailles-rive-gauche-château.
General Info: Open Tuesday to Sundays from 9AM – 6.30PM in the summer.  The pricing structure is complex. Check out the information boards on arriving. On a visit in 2008 we went in late in the day and paid less. All over 18’s pay €16 for the main château, but there are extra costs to visit other parts (for example La Domaine de Marie-Antoinette).  The maximum price in 2011 is €25 which includes access to everything on a day where there are music/fountains displays (also covers cost of audio guide).  Website.
Description: One of the most visited monuments in France.  The many buildings attached to the chateau form a magnificent complex with a delightful park and gardens.  The state apartments of the King and Queen, and the Hall of Mirrors can be visited.
Our recommendations: Hire a rowing boat on the Grand Canal and don't miss the Grand Trianon and the rustic Petit Trianon, so dear to the heart of the queen Marie-Antoinette.  Plan to spend  a whole day here – the area covered is immense.  The château interior can get incredibly busy and even with the ‘one way’ system in operation the crowds can feel very intimidating.
For the children: Although this palace is not designed as an attraction for children, they should have a great time here as there is so much space for letting off steam!

If you have a car you could easily make a day trip to one of the superb renaissance chateaux of the Loire valley.

Saving money:  Under 18s are free providing you have identification (passport recommended).  If you only want to visit the extensive grounds, these can be entered from side streets and there is no charge for access.

Best times to visit:  Later in the day the crowds are thinner, but the ideal time to visit is at 9AM sharp.  The tourist coaches from central Paris tend not to arrive until around 10AM so you can get at least an hour for peaceful sightseeing before the crowds build up.

Getting about: You can hire bicycles in the Chateaux grounds although the charge here is quite expensive.  If you don't mind cycling through a bit of Versailles traffic (please take extreme care) then you can hire bicycles at much lower prices from the Pointe Multiservices Vélo at the SNCF station (on the right hand side of the ramp leading to the station.  If you would like a guided tour with a complete difference then try out a guided Segway tour around the grounds for €34 per person.

Accommodation: The Hotel de France is delightfully located just over the road from the front entrance of the Chateau.  Andy stayed there whilst on business and although it's not an exclusive hotel, the beds were comfortable and the service very friendly.