Situated on the banks of the Seine and close to the forest of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, the Château de Maisons in Maisons-Laffitte was built between 1640 and 1650 by the architect François Mansart for René de Longueil, Superintendent of Finances to Louis XIV. Bearing witness to the history of France, it once belonged to illustrious figures such as the Count of Artois - brother of Louis XVI - and welcomed kings, princes, emperors, marshals and famous writers.
This beautiful building, a harmonious combination of the Classical and Baroque styles, is a fine example of 17th-century Classical French architecture. The first great "open" château, with its central vestibule and open staircase, it soon became a source of inspiration for the construction of the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte and the Palace of Versailles. It was bought by the State in 1905 to save it from demolition, and listed as a Historic Monument in 1914.
Visitors can see wood panelling, engravings, tapestries, paintings and period furniture in the King's apartment and its famous Cabinet of Mirrors, the fabulous décor of the Count of Artois' dining room, and Marshal Lannes' chamber. There is also a permanent exhibition dedicated to racehorses and the history of horse racing in France.
