Paris - Maisons-Laffitte

The impressive Château de Maisons was built by François Mansart in 1642-51) for René de Longueil, President of the Parlement de Paris, the supreme French court of justice. It is the finest example of the early classical château of the 17th century. Here for the first time Mansart used the high-pitched roof with tall windows which became known as mansards.

The château's present name comes from its owner in the reign of Louis-Philippe, Jacques Laffitte, banker and prime minister.

The whole of the interior dates from the 17th/18th C. Notable features are the numerous twin pilasters with their fine detail and the royal apartments on the first floor, including the beautiful Cabinet aux Miroirs.