Dampierre-en-Yvelines : Michelin's recommendations

Set in the Chevreuse valley, the castle of Dampierre (built for the Duc de Chevreuse, Colbert's son-in-law) is a fine example of 17th Century architecture. It was built on the remains of an old 16th Century building, with contributions from celebrated artists like Jules Hardouin-Mansart, who drew up the plans and worked on the project from 1675 to 1683. Le Nôtre, whose gardens at Versailles are such a triumph, laid out the terraces and beds in the park.