She was born in jail, where her father was a prisoner and her mother was a jail keeper’s daughter. To make matters worse, her father was a Huguenot (Protestant) and her mother was a Catholic, in a century when these religious differences were taken very seriously. Although her grandfather was Read More …
From the train station of Maintenon there are two streets leading into town. The most direct one is the Avenue du Général de Gaulle, which runs straight downhill towards the town center and the château. The other street, going off to the left, is a bit longer but more interesting, Read More …
From its beginnings as a defensive fortress in the 13th century, the Château of Maintenon was gradually transformed by various owners into a comfortable aristocratic residence. Françoise d’Aubigné, the future Madame de Maintenon, bought the entire estate, including the château, land and farms, in 1674, with money given to her Read More …
Although I am not aware of any direct connection between Aristide Briand and the town of Maintenon, I am glad to see that they have named their central square after him. This is the square that is directly in front of the château and the town hall.
Trains to Maintenon leave the station Paris-Montparnasse about once an hour, but not always on the same minute. The journey takes between 50 and 55 minutes, with stops in Versailles-Chantiers, Rambouillet and Epernon. After leaving Maintenon, the trains go on to Chartres.