Château du Cabin

Château du Cabin is a set of medieval castle ruins in Guiry-en-Vexin, a small commune in the Val-d'Oise department, within the Vexin français region northwest of Paris. What remains today, standing among the trees of a historic park, is what's left of a castle built in the 15th century for Richard de Guiry — itself the successor to an even older fortified castle with a moat and keep, of which nothing survives.

Who were the lords of Guiry?

The ruins of Cabin are tied directly to the Guiry family, one of the oldest noble families of the Vexin, first mentioned in a document dating back to the year 690. Over the centuries, the family distinguished itself alongside the kings of France, taking part in the Crusades, the Hundred Years' War, the Wars of the League (the French Wars of Religion), and the Estates General of 1789. It was for Richard de Guiry, a member of this line, that the 15th-century castle whose ruins still stand today was originally built.

What will you see on site?

Cabin survives today only as a set of stable ruins, a physical reminder of the residence that was eventually replaced by a new, much larger château built in the second half of the 17th century — the present-day Château de Guiry-en-Vexin. The park shared by both structures has lost the formal flower gardens it once had, but it retains real character thanks to a tree-lined avenue that draws the eye straight toward the Cabin ruins, one of the most recognisable views in the village. The whole estate — the château, its outbuildings, the park, the cavalry lane, the seigneurial church, and the Château du Cabin itself — was listed as a historic monument by decree on 14 March 1944. The Cabin ruins themselves received additional protected status as a ruin by a further decree on 17 February 1950.

How do you get there?

Guiry-en-Vexin sits at the heart of the Vexin français, northwest of Paris in the Val-d'Oise department. It's a small rural commune best reached by car, surrounded by the open fields, narrow lanes and stone villages typical of the area. The château and its ruins sit inside a park that is visible from the village's main road.

When should you visit?

Château du Cabin and the neighbouring Château de Guiry-en-Vexin are not open to visitors year-round. Individual visitors can access the site on two set occasions: the first weekend of June, during open garden days, and the third weekend of September, as part of the European Heritage Days. The park is also sometimes accessible during the summer holiday period. Groups can arrange a visit by prior appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you visit Château du Cabin every day? No. Individual access is limited to the first weekend of June (garden open days) and the third weekend of September (Heritage Days), plus occasional summer holiday openings. Groups need to book a visit in advance.

What's the difference between Château du Cabin and Château de Guiry-en-Vexin? Cabin is the ruin of an older, 15th-century castle built for Richard de Guiry. The current, much younger Château de Guiry-en-Vexin was built in the second half of the 17th century and took over as the family's main residence, leaving Cabin standing as a permanent ruin within the park.

Is the site legally protected? Yes. The entire estate, including Château du Cabin, the park, the outbuildings and the church, was listed as a historic monument in 1944, and the Cabin ruins received extra protection as a ruin in 1950.

Which family is linked to the site's history? The Guiry family, one of the oldest noble houses of the Vexin, first recorded in the year 690. Its members took part in the Crusades, the Hundred Years' War, the Wars of Religion and the Estates General of 1789.