Château de Monte Cristo
Located in Le Port-Marly, Yvelines, you can visit the former home of famed French author Alexandre Dumas. Named after one of his pivotal works, this château is devoted to the beloved novel. The palatial home was designed to match the castle in his The Count of Monte Cristo, with Renaissance architecture and designs, a Gothic pavilion, sculpted façades, an English park adorned with grottos, and waterfalls.
Inside the Château de Monte Cristo, you can witness how Dumas lived in his later years, and explore his ornately decorated home. Find souvenirs from his travels and busts dedicated to his favourite authors within his lavish Moorish lounge. Take note of the personal letters, books, and notes on display, or admire his personal belongings. In the high season (typically from April-October) you can enjoy theatrical and/or musical tours of the estate, re-enacting life while Dumas lived there.
Just opposite the castle, on the estate grounds, there is another building straight from his novel The Count of Monte Cristo – a large building replicating the Château D’If, the prison where Edmond Dantes spends years being educated and plotting his revenge while imprisoned, despite being innocent. The real Château D’If is actually just off the coast of Marseille, on an island surrounded by water, and to recreate this, water surrounds the structure on Dumas’ estate. While living there, he used his ‘Château D’If’ as his study.
Alexandre Dumas was famous for throwing lavish dinner parties and serving delightful dishes of his own creation while living here, a large reason for his eventual need to sell the estate. That, and he frequently welcomed guests at his own expense, even when he couldn’t afford to. After selling off the château, Dumas lived on the grounds for another few years (with permission from the new owners) until he eventually left for Belgium in exile – his creditors unrelenting, especially due to his bi-racial background.
Practical Information:
Open daily from Tuesday-Friday from 10am-12:30pm, and after a small lunch closure, again from 2pm-6pm. On weekends, open from 10am-6pm. The château is closed to the public on Mondays. Admission is €6 from Tuesday-Saturday, and €7.50 on Sundays with a guided tour (in French). If visiting on a Sunday and partaking in a guided tour and theatrical tour, admission is €9. As hours and admission are subject to change based on season or events, please check HERE for the most up-to-date information.
How to Get There:
You can take the train from Paris to visit the Château de Monte Cristo, either on the SNCF or on the more local RER trains. If taking the SNCF, take the train from Saint-Lazare station (Gare Saint-Lazare) to Marly le Roi station. From the station, hop on the number 10 bus towards ‘Les Lampes’ – get off at Avenue Kennedy and then walk a couple minutes to the castle. If going by the RER train, take the RER A to Saint Germain en Laye. When you get off at the station, hop on the number 10 bus to ‘Les Lampes’, and get off at Avenue Kennedy.
You can walk from the train station to the castle grounds, allowing you to explore the small town. The walk is approximately 25 minutes and less than 2km.