From Versailles to Vaux-le-Vicomte and Fontainebleau, whether they were home to kings and queens on a daily basis or just for a short getaway, the historic sites are the perfect backdrops for a family outing. During the Christmas holiday, the salons are decked out in lights, providing the backdrop for shows, guided tours and film screenings. You can even go ice skating in the gardens. Castle life for the little ones!

The Château de Fontainebleau has seen 34 kings and two emperors pass through its doors, but as the year 2024 draws to a close, its main guests are families in search of original entertainment. Until January 3, the Duo Diapason company, which specializes in theatrical and immersive tours, is performing L'Esprit de Noël ("The Spirit of Christmas"), a 50-minute show depicting the journey of a selfish and capricious princess struck by the aforementioned spirit. A tinsel miracle, our heroine suddenly becomes generous and altruistic! The performance takes place in the Hall of Columns, usually closed to the public. The illuminations in the main courtyard and the festive table set in the guards' room, in the style of the sumptuous dinners of the Louis-Philippe era, are also awe-inspiring.

From December 26 onward, a fun tour in the footsteps of D'Artagnan, with riddles and a wander around the château, is available for children and their parents. This package will also be available during the 2025 winter holiday.

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