Rambouillet opens presidential apartment to public

The Château de Rambouillet has opened its presidential apartment to the public for the first time, revealing seven rooms preserved as they were during Valéry Giscard d'Estaing's presidency. The 250-square-meter suite, furnished by the Mobilier national, mixes traditional Louis XVI pieces with modern comforts. The restoration, costing €530,000 and led by the Centre des monuments nationaux, included archival research and input from Giscard d'Estaing's family. Visitors can see period details like a retro telephone, Radiola TV, and shaving brush, plus audio recordings from the 1975 G6 summit. The project is part of a long-term plan to reopen the entire château, following a 2023 campaign that restored Napoleon's apartment and guest rooms.