5 Castles to Visit in Val-d’Oise

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A visit to Val-d’Oise reveals hidden treasures nestled among forests, valleys, and villages steeped in history. Each castle has its own unique character. In Méry-sur-Oise, a château with classical lines has become a warm and welcoming residence. In Osny, the Château de Grouchy blends neoclassical elegance with a vibrant cultural programme. The Château d’Auvers, shaped by centuries of transformation, boasts gardens, a nymphaeum, and echoes of the Impressionists. The Château de la Roche-Guyon, a troglodytic fortress carved into the cliffs, bears the marks of every era. And the Château d’Ambleville enchants visitors with its Italian-inspired terraced gardens. These are living, deeply rooted, and inspiring places to discover in every season, far from mass tourism.

The Chinese Pavilion in Cassan, Isle-Adam

The Chinese Pavilion was built between 1781 and 1785, after Pierre-Jacques Bergeret de Grandcourt’s trip to Italy with the painter Fragonard. At that time, China fascinated Westerners, bringing a sense of wonder to a rigid and conventional society. The pavilion was just one of several buildings designed to adorn the Bergeret estate in L’Isle-Adam.

Legend has it that Fragonard designed the plans for this pavilion. Another theory suggests that Pierre-Jacques Bergeret, who had some knowledge of architecture, left behind around forty garden drawings, some of which closely resemble what was built at Cassan. After years of abandonment and wartime damage, the Parc de Cassan was handed over to the municipality in 1972. Its restoration was first entrusted to architect Olivier Choppin de Janvry, then to Pierre-André Lablaude, chief architect of historic monuments, and the site was later listed as a historic monument.

Auvers-sur-Oise: the castle at the gates of time

In Auvers, the château is part of the long history of the Oise Valley, while paying tribute to the artists who loved it so much. Built in 1635 by Zanobi Lioni, a wealthy Florentine financier, the estate combines Italian and French influences, terraced gardens, orangery, ponds, and even a rare nymphaeum, entirely decorated with shells and glass.

Transformed several times over the centuries, the castle passed through the hands of influential families, including the Princes of Conti. In 1987, it became the property of the Department of Val-d’Oise, which restored it and, from 1994 to 2016, presented an immersive exhibition dedicated to the Impressionists. Today, this iconic site retains a unique atmosphere, suspended between heritage, nature, and artistic evocation. The nymphaeum, a rare troglodytic vestige, stands as a precious testament to this heritage.

Visit to Val-d’Oise: Méry Castle, a blend of history and modernity

Just a stone’s throw from Auvers-sur-Oise, the Méry Castle blends the classical architecture of a 17th-century estate with a sleek contemporary extension. Once the residence of the Countess of Ségur, it still preserves her period boudoir between two meeting rooms, a charming nod to its literary past.

Nestled in a 27-hectare park on the edge of a forest, this listed residence offers a unique setting for stays, seminars, or simply a stroll. In summer, wander between the greenhouse and the wood-panelled saunas on the terrace, or set off on a bike ride beneath the tall trees. Your hosts, Daniel and Laurie, will welcome you warmly and help you discover this soulful retreat in the Valley of the Impressionists.

La Roche-Guyon: the fortress in the cliff

Nestled against the chalk cliff, the La Roche-Guyon Castle is unlike any other. This remarkable site combines troglodytic architecture, a medieval keep, and 18th-century salons in a spectacular ensemble. Linked to its hilltop keep by a secret passage, the manor carved into the rock offers a striking journey through the ages.

During the Age of Enlightenment, the castle was a hub of ideas, frequented by Condorcet, Turgot, and Young. Centuries later, it became Rommel’s headquarters during the Second World War. Requisitioned and transformed into barracks, la Roche-Guyon Castle carries the memory of those soldiers, an episode so powerful it even found its way into pop culture, inspiring the Blake and Mortimer comic book series. Today, visitors wander through vegetable gardens, English-style landscapes, troglodytic galleries, and stately rooms where history still resonates.

Ambleville: Italian gardens in the Vexin region

On a bend of the Aubette de Meulan, Ambleville Castle reveals its elegant terraced gardens, inspired by the Italian Renaissance. Once a feudal fortress, it was transformed in the 16th century by architect Jean Grappin for the powerful Mornay family. Today, it still preserves an open-air theatre, flowing water basins, a monumental flower chess set, and magnificent state rooms: the leather room, the tapestry gallery, the ebony cabinets, and more.

A visit to Val-d’Oise is a journey through a multifaceted region, where castles reveal a fascinating architectural heritage echoing landscapes and centuries past. Each site tells its own remarkable story: artistic renaissance, aristocratic legacy, contemporary transformation, or testimony to great moments in history. To step away from Paris, escape the crowds, and experience authentic French life, there’s nothing better than exploring Val-d’Oise in Île-de-France. For more inspiration on monuments to visit, subscribe to our newsletter or browse our website. Already charmed by the treasures of our regions? Discover them further with our gift shop or loyalty programme.