Château de Monte-Cristo
- What to see and do
- Museums and monuments
- Monuments
- Château de Monte-Cristo
Description
At the height of his fame — thanks to the success of “The Three Musketeers” and “The Count of Monte Cristo” — and with a touch of megalomania, Alexandre Dumas seeks to escape the commotion of Paris. “I want a Renaissance chateau that faces a gothic pavilion, surrounded by water and an English park, adorned with grottos, rockeries and waterfalls.” These were the instructions given by Dumas to his architect Hippolyte Durand, who built this earthly paradise near Saint-Germain-en-Laye, west of Paris, named after the eponymous hero of the author’s famous novel.
Architectural folly
The neo-Gothic chateau, with its entirely sculpted facades, is a listed historical monument. Inside, the writer’s memorabilia is on display: portraits, letters, books and such treasures as the astonishing finely decorated Moorish lounge, where you will find the busts of Dumas’s favourite writers: Dante, Shakespeare and Molière, as well as a whole host of exotic objects brought back from his travels.
Opposite, discover the Chateau d’If, a small Gothic castle surrounded by water, that served as the author’s study. Try to identify the 88 titles of his novels carved into the facades. Devotees can complete the experience by visiting the writer’s tomb at the Pantheon.
And from April to October you can take theatrical and musical tours where costumed actors recount life in the chateau during the Dumas era.
Just like Alexandre Dumas in his time, let yourself be won over during a weekend by the richness of this territory located just a stone's throw from Paris, the beauty of its river landscapes, its historical and architectural heritage and its large natural areas.
The great châteaux of Paris Region have their little secrets. Find out for yourself!
Community facilities
Access and contact
Days and opening hours
Every day throughout the year. Closed on Monday. MARCH 1 TO JUNE 30 and from SEPTEMBER 1 to NOVEMBER 7 INCLUDED - Tuesday and Thursday: 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. / 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. - Wednesday and Friday: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. - Saturdays and Public Holidays (except public Mondays): 10 am-6pm - Sunday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. - Open May 1 and May 8 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., November 1 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
FROM THE WINTER TIME PASS (from the last Sunday in October to November 1): Closed at 5:00 p.m.
HERITAGE DAYS: 10 am-5pm
JULY 1 to AUGUST 31 - Tuesday to Friday: 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. / 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. - Saturdays and public holidays (except public Mondays): 10 am-6pm Sunday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
FROM NOVEMBER 2 TO FEBRUARY 28 INCLUDED Saturday and Sunday only: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Closure of the ticket office 1 hour before the site closes.
For guided tours, dramatized and escape games, please inquire directly with the castle of Monte Cristo.
Prices
- Park and castle from Tuesday to Sunday: - Full price: 8 € - Reduced rate: 6 € (Reduction granted to people under 25 years old.) - Free for children under 8 years old. - Park only: 4 € - Rental of a tablet with a game for children: € 5
2nd SUNDAY of the MONTH: Guided tours from FEBRUARY to NOVEMBER (from 2.30 pm) - Rates: 9 € / person - Children from 3 to 7 years: 2 € - Children - 3 years old: free.
LAST SUNDAY of the MONTH: Theatrical Visits from APRIL to OCTOBER (from 2.30 pm) - Prices: 10 € / person - Children from 3 to 7 years: 2 € - Children - 3 years old: free.
LAST SUNDAY of MONTH: Surprise visits in FEBRUARY, MARCH and NOVEMBER - Rates: 9 € / person - Children from 3 to 7 years: 2 € - Children - 3 years old: free.
For groups of adults - Free visit: 5 €to 6 € / person - package 100 € if less than 20 people - Guided tour in French: 150 € / group + 5 € / person - Theatrical visit: 400 € / group + 5 € / person
For school groups - Storytelling tour and guided tour: 100 € / class + 3 € / student - Workshop visit: 110 € / class + 3 € / student
Groups by reservation only at the Saint Germain Buckles de Seine tourist office on 01 30 87 20 63 - melanie.lacroix@saintgermainenlaye.fr.
Facility
- Toilets
- Car park
Services
- Themed tour
- Tourist brochures
- Guided tours
Activities
- Activity
- Children's entertainment
- Shows
Tour
Spoken languages
- English
- French
- Russian
Guided tour languages
- German
- English
- Spanish
- French
- Russian
Bulletin board languages
- English
- French
Accessibility
- Not accessible in a wheelchair
- Copyright image:
- Vincent Felloni