Château de Grignon

Thiverval-Grignon, France, France

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The Château de Grignon is a 17th-century castle located in Thiverval-Grignon, in the Yvelines department of France's Île-de-France region.

Built in 1636 by Nicolas de Bellièvre, who transformed the estate into a marquisate by 1651, the castle features traditional French Louis XIII architecture with a U-shaped design, symmetrical wings, and brick-and-stone facing. The estate was originally associated with Diane de Poitiers before Bellièvre reconstructed it.

Today, the château is registered as a Historic Monument and serves as the headquarters of AgroParisTech, France's leading institute for agricultural and environmental sciences, continuing a legacy that began in 1826 when Charles X established the Royal Agricultural Institution there.

The castle sits within a 300-hectare park enclosed by a long wall and includes formal gardens, grand reception rooms across multiple floors, and research laboratories where students conduct agricultural experiments. Public access is limited since it operates as part of the university, requiring advance tour arrangements for visitors.