Chateau de Breteuil is one of the most unique palaces in Ile-de-France, and although it is only a half-hour drive from Paris, it is not well-known to Israeli tourists. The palace was built between 1604 and 1610 and belongs to the de Breteuil family, who still live there today. The sons of this family have held high positions throughout history and have provided monarchical France with quite a few ambassadors, ministers, and even prime ministers.
A long line of historical figures lived and stayed in the palace, such as: Gabrielle Amelie de Bertaille (Marquise of Châtelet), a friend of Walter and Marcel Proust. However, the most famous guest of this palace was Charles Perrault (1628-1703), the writer, who wrote, among others, “Little Red Riding Hood” and “Puss in Boots”. As a result, a significant part of the palace is dedicated to his stories and you can find quite a few wax figures, which were created by the people of the famous Grevin Museum in Paris, and automatons (a type of primitive robot) of Puss in Boots. As a result, this palace becomes a perfect place for a trip with children.
The palace is open all year round and every two hours there is an organized tour of the palace with qualified guides, who will tell you the secrets hidden within its walls. Since it is a private palace, the entrance fee is more expensive than state-subsidized museums (15.5 euros for the entire palace for an adult). Despite this, I highly recommend visiting it and combining it with a larger trip to the Chevreuse Valley.