Four châteaux in the Île-de-France region are launching their Christmas 2026 season: Vaux-le-Vicomte from 14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, La Roche-Guyon from 5 December, Fontainebleau on 11, 12 and 13 December for its concert, and Versailles from 12 December 2026 to 2 January 2027 with its visit-show Le Parcours du Roi.
Four châteaux, four dates to note for Christmas 2026
The dates confirmed by the monuments themselves span from mid-November to the very start of January.
| Château | Announced period | What's planned |
|---|---|---|
| Vaux-le-Vicomte (77) | From 14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 | 21st Grand Noël, decorations inside the château and in the gardens, a round-the-world theme from Kenya to Japan |
| Versailles (78) | From 12 December 2026 to 2 January 2027 | Le Parcours du Roi, a visit-show in the Hall of Mirrors with actors, dancers and musicians |
| Fontainebleau (77) | 11, 12 and 13 December 2026 | Monteverdi's Vespers conducted by Lionel Sow, at 7.30pm on Friday and Saturday, 3pm on Sunday |
| La Roche-Guyon (95) | From 5 December 2026 | The château's first Christmas: Winter Tales, decorated rooms, an illuminated garden, workshops |
A few details are circulating without official confirmation: according to sortiraparis.com, Versailles casts Marie-Antoinette as a fashion icon and ends with a meeting with Father Christmas, Fontainebleau sets a festive table in the Guards' Room until 2 January 2027, and La Roche-Guyon hosts food trucks until 3 January. Worth double-checking on each monument's website before booking.
What the visit costs, and what's still unknown
Only one of the four châteaux has already published its full price list for this season.
At Vaux-le-Vicomte, the Grand Noël ticket starts at 25.90 euros at full price, 20.90 euros for a child aged 3 to 17 as well as for students, and entry is free under 4 (prices recorded in November 2026, may vary by time slot). The château is also running an opening offer on 14, 15, 21 and 22 November: buy two adult tickets, get one child ticket free. That can take a real bite out of the cost of a family outing.
For Versailles, Fontainebleau and La Roche-Guyon, this season's prices have not yet been published: n/a, check booking details and prices on each monument's website. If this outing fits within your festive budget, spreading the cost over several months avoids paying it all in December.
Gift the outing rather than an object
A dated ticket makes a solid Christmas gift, as long as you pick the time slot before buying. It's exactly the kind of present grandparents like to fund together: list the château, the chosen date and the number of places on your family Christmas list, so no one buys the same thing twice. You can also create your list for free and slip this outing in alongside the toys.
With young children or with teenagers
With toddlers, go for a late-afternoon slot and a short route: the outdoor lights at La Roche-Guyon or the gardens at Vaux-le-Vicomte can be enjoyed without lingering, coats on. Teenagers will more happily follow a visit-show with actors or a concert, as long as you warn them about how long it lasts.
One last useful tip: check whether a Christmas market in the Yvelines is on the same day, and the whole outing falls into place on its own.
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