Royal châteaux around Paris
A loop from Paris to Versailles, the cathedral of Chartres, the forest palace of Fontainebleau, Vaux-le-Vicomte and medieval Provins.
- Distance
- 290 km (180 mi)
- Driving
- 4 h 00 min
- Suggested days
- 4
- Stops
- 9
- Countries
- France
- Updated
- August 5, 2026
At a glance: 4-day road trip of about 290 km (180 mi) with 9 stops, from Paris to Medieval Provins. About 4 h 00 min of driving in total.
More road trips in France
Route description
Versailles is 20 km from central Paris, and many people leave the car and take the RER C train. If you drive, the palace car park on the Place d’Armes is paid and fills early; the palace is closed on Mondays and busiest on Tuesdays and weekends. Book a timed entry, then walk or hire a bike to the Trianon estate at the far end of the gardens.
From Versailles the N10 leads through Rambouillet and across wheat fields to Chartres, about 80 km. You see the two spires of the cathedral long before you arrive. Inside, the medieval stained glass glows blue and red; the floor labyrinth is uncovered on Fridays from spring to autumn. The old town slopes down to the Eure, and there is parking below it.
Drive east across the Beauce plain via Étampes to Fontainebleau, about 110 km. The palace, used by kings from the Middle Ages to Napoleon III, is closed on Tuesdays. The surrounding forest has marked walks among sandstone boulders; the village of Barbizon, home to 19th-century landscape painters, is on its western edge.
Vaux-le-Vicomte, near Melun, is the château whose splendour cost Nicolas Fouquet his freedom and inspired Versailles. It is open from spring to autumn, and summer Saturday evenings are lit by candles. End in Provins, 50 km east, a fortified medieval town listed by UNESCO; park outside the ramparts and walk up to the Tour César.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Paris
France - 222 km
Palace of Versailles
HistoryVersailles, FranceLouis XIV’s palace with the Hall of Mirrors, formal gardens and the Trianon estate. Book a timed ticket, avoid Tuesdays and weekends if you can, and note the palace is closed on Mondays.
- 377 km
Chartres
France - 41 km
Chartres Cathedral
HistoryChartres, FranceA Gothic cathedral with some of the best-preserved medieval stained glass in Europe and a floor labyrinth, uncovered on Fridays in season. Its two spires are visible across the wheat plain for miles.
- 5112 km
Fontainebleau
France - 60 km
Palace of Fontainebleau
HistoryFontainebleau, FranceA royal residence used by kings from the 12th century to Napoleon III, with Renaissance galleries and large parks. Closed on Tuesdays; the surrounding forest is known for its sandstone boulders.
- 723 km
Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte
HistoryMaincy, FranceThe château completed for Nicolas Fouquet in 1661, whose gardens by Le Nôtre inspired Versailles. Open from spring to autumn and at Christmas; summer Saturday evenings are lit by candles.
- 854 km
Provins
France - 91 km
Medieval Provins
HistoryProvins, FranceA UNESCO-listed trading town of the Champagne fairs, with ramparts, underground passages and the keep of Tour César. Park outside the walls near the Porte Saint-Jean.
Suggested stages and overnight stops
4 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Paris → Chartres · 99 km · 1 h 22 minOn the way: Palace of Versailles.Overnight nearby, for example: Bord de l'Eure (1 km); Aire de Camping-Car Courville (18 km).
- Day 2: Chartres → Chartres Cathedral · 1 km · 0 h 00 minOvernight nearby, for example: Bord de l'Eure (2 km); Aire de Camping-Car Courville (18 km).
- Day 3: Chartres Cathedral → Palace of Fontainebleau · 113 km · 1 h 33 minOn the way: Fontainebleau.Overnight nearby, for example: Camping Municipal de Samoreau (4 km); Les Courtilles du Lido (8 km).
- Day 4: Palace of Fontainebleau → Medieval Provins · 78 km · 1 h 04 minOn the way: Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, Provins.Overnight nearby, for example: Provins Aire Municipale (< 1 km); Camping Municipal de Nogent-sur-Seine (18 km).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in October. Cold, short days in January. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Practical notes for the road
- France: Motorway tolls. Tolls on most autoroutes; the limit drops to 110 km/h in rain. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
- Paris: Low-emission zone (Crit’Air). A Crit’Air sticker is required and older vehicles may be banned. Order the sticker from the official website well in advance.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
FAQs
How long is Royal châteaux around Paris?
4-day road trip of about 290 km (180 mi) with 9 stops, from Paris to Medieval Provins. About 4 h 00 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Royal châteaux around Paris?
We suggest 4 days: about 4 h 00 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Royal châteaux around Paris start and end?
It starts in Paris and ends in Medieval Provins.
Which countries does Royal châteaux around Paris pass through?
France.
Where can you camp along Royal châteaux around Paris?
OpenStreetMap lists 43 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Camping Les Rives de Paris - Neuilly-sur-Marne, Bord de l'Eure and Aire de Camping-Car Courville.
When is the best time for Royal châteaux around Paris?
The most pleasant months are usually May–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
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