Major city · France
Maintenon
Half a day is enough: see the château and its aqueduct, then move on to Chartres or Tours. Not a base.
Maintenon is a small town 50 min southwest of Paris by train, best known for the Château de Maintenon — the home of Louis XIV's second wife, Madame de Maintenon. The château is compact, with a fine portrait gallery and gardens that lead to a ruined aqueduct built to supply Versailles. There's no tourist industry around it, so you can visit the château, have lunch and be on your way in half a day.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- avoid Nov–Feb (château may have reduced hours)
- Airports
- CDG · ORY
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- France and Monaco ↗France has run temporary identity checks at its internal Schengen land borders since 2015; carry a passport or EU/EEA national ID on trains and buses from Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg.
- France and Monaco ↗Nights in France and Monaco draw on the same Schengen 90-in-180-day allowance as the rest of the area; Monaco does not reset or pause it.
- France ↗France is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors' fingerprints and photo at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- France ↗TGV (including the low-cost Ouigo) and Intercités night trains need a seat reservation: a rail pass alone does not let you board.
- France ↗Paris, Lyon and other large cities run low-emission zones that require a Crit'Air sticker on cars; check before you drive a hire car or your own car into a city.
- France ↗Carry your passport or national ID card: police can ask for identification, and hotels register foreign guests.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Maintenon17 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Maintenon, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).France-wide
- SIM or eSIMOrange, SFR, Bouygues Télécom and Free sell prepaid SIMs in their shops and at tabacs; ID is required to register.France-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere unless signed otherwise.France-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Service is included; leave 5–10% in cash for good service.France-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.France-wide
- SafetyMaintenon is a quiet, safe small town.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsParis has free automatic public toilets (sanisettes); elsewhere use cafés (buy a coffee), museums and stations, where some charge €0.50–1 (≈ US$1–2).France-wide
- Emergency numbers17 police · 18 fire and ambulance · 112 EU emergency number (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany national museums close on Monday (Orsay, Versailles, Rodin) or Tuesday (Louvre, Pompidou's temporary sites).France-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportCDG Charles de Gaulle Airport (About 1.5 h by RER B + train via Paris Montparnasse).
- Getting aroundWalkable: the château is a 15-min walk from the station.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee in a café€2–3.50 (≈ US$3–5)
- BeerBeer (demi / pression)€4–6 (≈ US$5–7)
- Museum or sight ticketChâteau de Maintenon entry€9–12 (≈ US$11–14) (check)
- Budget bedDouble room in a B&B or small hotel, a night, per room€60 (≈ US$70)
- Mid-range bedDouble room in a B&B or small hotel, a night, per room€90 (≈ US$110)
- High-end bedDouble room in a B&B or small hotel, a night, per room€140 (≈ US$170)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €30 (≈ US$35) · Mid €60 (≈ US$70) · High €100 (≈ US$120)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CDG Charles de Gaulle Airport (About 1.5 h by RER B + train via Paris Montparnasse) · ORY Orly Airport (About 1.5 h by Orlyval + RER B + train via Paris Montparnasse)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Feb
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Mar
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Apr
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
May
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Aug
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Sep
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Oct
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Nov
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Dec
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: Apr–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Jan (11 rain days), driest Jul (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Maintenon: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
11 rd
Feb
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
9 rd
Mar
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
10 rd
Apr
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
9 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
10 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
Jul
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7 rd
Aug
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7 rd
Sep
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
Oct
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
9 rd
Nov
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
10 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
11 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walkable: the château is a 15-min walk from the station. Occasional local buses run between the station and town centre.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 30 min
Train from Maintenon station, about 15 min
See the cathedral and old town; combine with Maintenon in one day.
Door to door: About 2 h
Train via Chartres or Paris, about 1.5 h
Base for Loire châteaux; do as a separate trip.
Door to door: About 40 min
Car or bus, about 30 min
Medieval buildings and a château; limited public transport.
Orléans
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Train via Paris or Chartres, about 1 h 15 min
Joan of Arc history and a lively centre.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre
A few hotels and B&Bs near the château; limited choice.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €30–50 (≈ US$35–60) excl. bed
- Mid
- €50–80 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- High
- €80 (≈ US$95)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room in a B&B or small hotel1 × 1 night × €90 | €90 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €60 | €120 |
| Train Paris Montparnasse → Maintenon, return2 × €30 · check | €60 |
| Château de Maintenon entry2 × €10 · check | €20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €29 |
| Trip total≈ €160 per person per day, bed included | €319≈ US$400 |
2026 estimate in euros; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee in a café | €2–3.50 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Lunch menu (entrée + plat or plat + dessert) | €15–22 (≈ US$18–30) |
| Beer (demi / pression) | €4–6 (≈ US$5–7) |
| Château de Maintenon entry | €9–12 (≈ US$11–14) (check) |
| Train Paris Montparnasse → Maintenon, one way | €12–16 (≈ US$14–19) (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The château has limited opening hours in winter: check the official site before you go.
- No tourist office or large luggage storage in town.
- Last train to Paris is around 22:00; check the timetable.Last train to Paris is around 10:00 PM; check the timetable.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 17
- Fire and ambulance
- 18
- EU emergency number
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
MaintenonMaintenon
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police17
- Fire and ambulance18
- EU emergency number112
Embassy
The US Embassy is in Paris; most other embassies are also in Paris.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Paris Montparnasse → Maintenon, train: about €12–16 (≈ US$14–19), about 50 min (check)
- Maintenon station → château, walk: 15 min, free
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello / Good day (bohn-zhoor)
- Merci — Thank you (mair-see)
- Combien ça coûte ? — How much is it? (kom-byen sa koot)
- Où est le château ? — Where is the château? (oo ay luh shah-toh)
- L'addition, s'il vous plaît — The bill, please (la-dee-syon, seel voo pleh)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Maintenon. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Oct · avoid Nov–Feb (château may have reduced hours) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Maintenon
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