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Discover the charms of Saint-ange-et-torcay and surroundings

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In the heart of the Centre region, Saint-ange-et-torcay in Eure-et-Loir invites you to explore its idyllic surroundings. Vast green landscapes provide...See more

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The Petit Trianon
68 km

The Petit Trianon

The Petit Trianon was built between 1763 and 1768 by the architect Gabriel, requested by Madame de Pompadour, mistress then friend of king Louis XV. Mme de Pompadour was the former mistress of the king but still his friend. She was the instigator of this little palace, built by Gabriel from 1763 to 1768 near the botanical gardens and the new menagerie to entertain him with one of his passions : sciences. To please the Marchioness, always aware of the last trend, the architect changed his rocky aesthetics to adopt pure lines and cubic shape. It was the latest architectural style, called “the Greek style”. It is not as simple as it looks like : each frontage is different, built to reply to its surrounding : the Courtyard, the French Garden and its lovely pavilion, the Botanical Garden and the Flower Garden. Even inside we find a modern style. The decoration of the Small Trianon is more simple than the rest of the estate. It is not about materials, you will notice the absence of gold for example, but more about the fineness and elegance of the sculptures dedicate, like the palace, to nature. Sadly, Mme de Pompadour died before the completion of the Palace in 1764. Nowadays it keeps the souvenir of an other inhabitant : Louis XVI made a gift of the Trianon Estate to his queen Marie-Antoinette in 1774. She lived there a distant life from the court, maybe too distant for some of the courtier.

Château de Versailles 78000 Versailles
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Palace of Versailles Entry Ticket with Audioguide
68 km

Palace of Versailles Entry Ticket with Audioguide

ArrayWhat to Expect Begin your visit by exploring the ornate King and Queen's State Apartments. Learn about the French monarchy and peek into the private lives of the infamous King Louis XIV and Marie Antoinette. Next, make your way to the glittering Hall of Mirrors. Designed to protect the ornate walls and ceilings from smoke, the hall’s 357 mirrors were strategically placed to reflect the light of candles. With just a few flames, the reflection from so many mirrors was enough to light up the whole hall! After admiring the inside of the Palace, head outdoors and take in the grandeur of the estate’s impressive architecture. Stroll along the cobblestone grounds and pass by the gorgeous Versailles fountains. At the Carrosses Gallery, travel back in time as you explore carriages, coaches, sculptures and other artifacts left behind by the French Monarch. If you’re short on time or would prefer to skip the long entry lines, a Versailles skip-the-line entry ticket will allow you to save anywhere from 1-3 hours of waiting. If you happen to visit the Palace on a Tuesday, Saturday or Sunday, consider opting for a Versailles Passport ticket and catch one of the famous water fountain and musical shows. Each year, it is estimated that approximately 5 million people visit the Palace of Versailles, and between 8 and 10 million people walk its gardens. A place of immense beauty, Versailles stands as a symbol of France’s monarchy and its glorious history.

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Palace of Versailles All Access Passport Entry with Audioguide
68 km

Palace of Versailles All Access Passport Entry with Audioguide

ArrayYour Experience Use Your Passport to Tour the Château de Versailles Your ticket gives you access to the most famous places within the royal estate including the Royal Palace, the Park, Gardens, Marie Antoinette’s Estate, and entry to any exhibitions on show at the time of your visit. If you plan to visit on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, it’s worth paying the extra €8 for an upgraded Passport ticket, which includes access to the Musical Fountain and Garden shows. Learn About the French Monarchy with the Help of a Multilingual Audio Guide Upon entering the Palace, collect your complimentary audio guide from one of the two pick-up counters located on the ground floor, one at the entrance to the Apartment Ladies and the other at the entrance to the Gallery of Castles. Audio guides are available in 11 languages: Spanish, Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese and Russian. Begin your visit by exploring the ornate King and Queen's State Apartments. Learn about the French monarchy and peek into the private lives of the infamous King Louis XIV and Marie Antoinette. Next, make your way to the glittering Hall of Mirrors. Designed to protect the ornate walls and ceilings from smoke, the hall’s 357 mirrors were strategically placed to reflect the light of candles. With just a few flames, the reflection from so many mirrors was enough to light up the whole hall! Explore 250 Acres of Gorgeously Landscaped Lawns and Fountains After admiring the inside of the Palace, head outdoors and take in the grandeur of the estate’s impressive architecture. Stroll along the cobblestone grounds, through the beautiful French gardens, and pass by the gorgeous Versailles fountains. Next, stop by the Estate of Marie Antoinette and discover the life and antics of the Queen at the Petit Trianon. Walk around the Village of the Queen and English gardens, then see where Marie Antoinette built her own house, a Mill, a Preparation Dairy, a Cave, a Belvedere and the magnificent Temple of Love where lovers get engage. At the Carrosses Gallery, travel back in time as you explore carriages, coaches, sculptures and other artifacts left behind by the French Monarch. If you’re short on time and would prefer to skip the long lines, a Versailles skip-the-line entry ticket will allow you to save your time. If you’d like to maximize your time at the palace of Versailles and get a more in depth Castle experience, click here. Each year, it is estimated that approximately 5 million people visit the Palace of Versailles, and between 8 and 10 million people walk its gardens. A place of immense beauty, Versailles stands as a symbol of France’s monarchy and its glorious history.

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What to visit in Saint-ange-et-torcay

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Visit the museums and galleries of Saint-ange-et-torcay.
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Le Donjon de Houdan
32 km

Le Donjon de Houdan

The Donjon de Houdan is a 12th-century tower commissioned by the Counts of Montfort. This historic monument is also a cultural venue, offering exhibitions, concerts... The Tower (commonly known as ‘Le Donjon’), built in the 12th century under the reign of the Counts of Montfort, and listed as a Historic Monument since 1889, was designed to watch out for enemies and defend the territory. But in reality, its main role was to act as a deterrent, as it was reputed to be impregnable. Built on the site of an ancient Merovingian necropolis, it originally consisted of an enclosure and a master tower. The enclosure, which has now disappeared, was fitted with a circular turret to defend the gateway. The access door -via a drawbridge-, initially situated 4 metres above ground level and then raised to 6 metres in the 15th century, was the only access to the large room on the 1st floor reserved for the military chief. Sometimes associated with the Duchy of Brittany and sometimes with the crown of France, Le Donjon was given by Louis XIV, with the county of Montfort, to the Duke of Luynes. The latter sold it in 1800 to an innkeeper from Houdan, citizen Leroy. Successively owned by various familie, the place was bequeathed by the latter to the town of Houdan in 1903. It presents traces of its history through its numerous graffiti, some dating from the 17th century. Used as a reserve, then as a prison and later a water tower, it underwent a certain number of changes in order to adapt to its new functions. The water tower, whose first metal tank was installed in 1880, was functional until the 1950s. In 1952, a new, more solid concrete tank was built. The tank is still present to this day, as well as part of the concrete uprights used to support it. Le Donjon consists of a tower 15 m in diameter and 25 m high, flanked by 4 turrets of the same height located at the four cardinal points. MONUMENTAL WORKS Like any historical monument requiring renovation, the work on the dungeon was difficult and complicated due to the historical, architectural aspect and the planning constraints of the monument. No less than 3 and a half years of work were necessary to allow the site to regain a second lease of life and to be able to welcome the many visitors, curious to discover or rediscover this flagship monument of the Houdan landscape. From now on, young and old will be able to explore the dungeon from bottom to top!

1 place de la Tour 78550 Houdan
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Where to eat in Saint-ange-et-torcay

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Caution!
We have no information on the difficulty of this circuit. You may encounter some surprises along the way. Before you go, please feel free to inquire more and take all necessary precautions. Have a good trip! 🌳🥾