Department
Museums, galleries and heritage in Yvelines
91 places to discover across Yvelines.
Including Château de Versailles, Domaine de Trianon and Le Grand Trianon.
Towns to explore
Achères · Auffargis · Bougival · Carrières-sous-Poissy · Carrières-sur-Seine · Chambourcy · Chatou · Chevreuse · Conflans-Sainte-Honorine · Dammartin-en-Serve · Dampierre-en-Yvelines · Élancourt · Guyancourt · Houilles · Jouy-en-Josas · La Celle-Saint-Cloud · Le Chesnay-Rocquencourt · Le Port-Marly ·
A Department Shaped by Royal and Artistic History
The Yvelines owe their international profile to the Château de Versailles, the former royal residence turned museum in 1837, and to the surrounding Palais et parc de Versailles, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979. Within the same domain, Le Grand Trianon, built by Jules Hardouin-Mansart in 1687, and the Galerie des Carrosses, housed in the former Grande Écurie, extend the visit beyond the main palace.
A second, quieter thread runs through the department: house-museums preserving the homes of the people who lived and worked there. The Musée départemental Maurice-Denis occupies the artist's former residence in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, while the Musée & Fondation Raymond Devos in Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse honours the comedian and writer. Further southwest, the Maison Elsa Triolet-Aragon occupies a 12th-century mill at Saint-Arnoult-en-Yvelines.
Versailles and the Independent Gallery Scene
Beyond the château, Versailles hosts a concentration of independent galleries within walking distance of each other. The Galerie Pellat de Villedon, Galerie Patrick Franquelin and Galerie Saint Simon each show contemporary work, while Espace Richaud, installed in a former hospital, hosts temporary exhibitions in the city centre.
Saint-Germain-en-Laye forms a second gallery hub, with YellowKorner and Galerie Laetitia both located near the château. Smaller towns also carry their own venues, such as La Graineterie in Houilles and the Manoir des Arts in Auffargis.
Painters and the Seine at Chatou
Chatou's Île des Impressionnistes gave its name to a school of painting, and the Musée Fournaise occupies the historic riverside restaurant that hosted Renoir, whose Luncheon of the Boating Party was painted on its terrace. The museum's collection focuses on painters of the Seine banks who worked in and around the site.
In Saint-Germain-en-Laye, beyond the Maurice-Denis museum, the Maison natale Claude-Debussy - Musée municipal Ducastel-Vera marks the birthplace of the composer, adding a musical counterpoint to the town's artistic heritage.
Frequently asked questions
How much time should I plan for a visit to the Château de Versailles?
Count a full day to see the State Apartments, the gardens and the Grand Trianon; a half-day covers the palace interiors alone.
Is Villa Savoye in Poissy included in a Paris museum pass?
No, it operates independently under the Centre des monuments nationaux, with its own entry ticket and opening hours, closed on Tuesdays.
What is the best time of year to visit the Versailles gardens?
Spring and early autumn avoid summer crowds; check for the Grandes Eaux Musicales fountain displays, held on selected days from spring through autumn.
Are the Yvelines museums accessible by public transport from Paris?
Yes, RER C serves Versailles and Poissy directly, while Chatou, Saint-Germain-en-Laye and Conflans-Sainte-Honorine are reached by RER A or Transilien lines.
Which museum in the Yvelines is best for families with children?
The Musée du Jouet in Poissy and the Musée Rambolitrain in Rambouillet both suit younger visitors with toy and model-train collections.
