Château de Sucy-en-Brie

Sucy-en-Brie

At the gates of the old town of Sucy, a long classical main block raises its facade of golden stone and its mansard slate roof between two corner pavilions: this is the château de Sucy-en-Brie, completed in 1662 for the wealthy financier Nicolas Lambert by the architect François Le Vau, younger brother of the builder of Vaux-le-Vicomte and Versailles. The gardens, designed in the same spirit as those of Le Nôtre, once followed the neighbouring valley, now crossed by the RER. Under the Second Empire, a wealthy Englishwoman, Lady Meux, led a lavish life there. Saved from demolition in the 20th century and listed as a historic monument in 1975, it now houses the Maison des Arts et des Musiques and opens its panelled salons for monthly guided tours. Few walkers in the Paris region know that a stone's throw from the modern tower blocks of the Brie plateau hides one of the rare complete witnesses to the classical architecture of the Grand Siècle in the inner suburbs, kept intact despite wars, property speculation and rural exodus — a discreet great site where the French taste of the 17th century tells its story without pomp.

Getting there : Park and surroundings freely accessible; free guided tours of the château one Sunday a month at 11 am (Maison des Arts et des Musiques)

Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.

Ambient sound