The history of the Château de Maintenon goes back to the Middle Ages, as is evident from its square, 12th century tower. Its list of owners includes Françoise d'Aubigné, the future marquise of Maintenon, who purchased the property in 1674.

The marquise enlarged and embellished the château, before becoming the secret wife of Louis XIV in 1684. Le Nôtre designed the park and dug the great canal that runs beneath the aqueduct built by Vauban and La Hire.

This unfinished construction was intended to transport water from the Eure River to Versailles.