Centre-Val de Loire · Eure-et-Loir, France

Château de Maintenon

The château of Françoise d'Aubigné, Madame de Maintenon — governess turned secret wife of Louis XIV. Behind Le Nôtre's parterre, the park frames one of the great follies of the Grand Siècle: the ruined arches of the Canal de l'Eure aqueduct, Vauban's colossal unfinished scheme to send river water to Versailles.

At a glance

Built: 13th–17th centuries
Style: Brick-and-stone château with medieval keep
Commissioned by: Cocereau family; home of Madame de Maintenon
Signature feature: The aqueduct ruins of Louis XIV's Canal de l'Eure crossing the park
The lady: Madame de Maintenon, married secretly to Louis XIV (c. 1683)
Gardens: Parterre re-created to André Le Nôtre's design
Ownership: Fondation Mansart / Département d'Eure-et-Loir partnership
Visiting: Open to visitors (seasonal calendar)