Château de Rambouillet, located 50 kilometers southwest of Paris, transformed from a 14th-century fortified castle into a refined royal residence. Acquired by Louis XVI in 1783, it hosted Francis I, Napoleon I, and served as the summer residence of French Presidents until 2009. Notable features include the Shell Cottage with exceptional pearl and shell decor, and the Queen's Dairy built for Marie Antoinette. Now managed as a presidential residence open to the public, the estate welcomes visiting heads of state.
