Discover Maintenon

Maintenon offers visitors two distinct historical perspectives: a major water project linked to Versailles and the history of the Château de Maintenon. A walking route along the Canal Louis XIV also brings surviving traces of construction and landscape into view. You can therefore plan your stay around whether you want to learn more about water engineering, the visible remains along the canal, or the history of the château and gardens.

The water project from the Eure to Versailles

The Aqueduc de Maintenon remains the landmark of the major project to channel water from the Eure to the fountains of Versailles. The Canal Louis XIV was built by La Hire and Vauban to carry water to the park and fountains of Versailles. Both structures thus refer to the same undertaking: the Eure is the named source of the water, while Versailles, with its park and fountains, is the destination. Visitors can see the connection between the river, the structures and their destination. The aqueduct represents the major project, while the canal’s function is made concrete by the planned water supply to the park and fountains.

Walking route and surviving traces of the canal

Several kilometres of walking paths run along the Canal Louis XIV beside the Eure and along the edge of wooded areas. Along the route, you can see surviving bridges, vaults, rows of trees, embankments and other earthworks. This means you encounter both structural remains and landscape features on the same walk. Bridges and vaults are visible structures; rows of trees, embankments and earthworks offer further traces to look out for on site. When exploring the historic water project, this means that, alongside its destination in Versailles, you can also take in the surviving features along the canal. The walking route offers its own way to explore the subject, distinct from the history of the château.

Château de Maintenon: fortress, residence and gardens

The Château de Maintenon was a former medieval fortress. At the beginning of the 16th century, Jean Cottereau extensively remodelled the estate; he was the finance treasurer to Louis XII. In the 17th century, the château became the residence of Madame de Maintenon, the wife of the Sun King. This timeline runs from the fortress through Cottereau’s remodelling to its later role as a residence, revealing the estate’s different historical associations. The gardens have their own attribution: they are credited to Le Nôtre. The château, its gardens and its park are open to the public year-round; exceptional closures may occur. Check the latest information on possible exceptional closures before your visit.

Which side you find more compelling depends on whether you are more interested in château history or in walking along the Eure.

Discover more destinations: Le Tronchet, Chateaudun, Yèvres, Thiron Gardais, Ermenonville-La-Petite, Saint-Rémy-Sur-Avre, Sainte-Gemme-Moronval, Vichères.

For the broader travel overview: Eure-Et-Loir.