Château de Compiègne: a Royal and Imperial heritage within easy reach

Nestled in the town of Compiègne, the Château de Compiègne, often referred to as the Palais de Compiègne, boasts a rich history and impressive architecture. This royal retreat, surrounded by a vast forest, has seen kings and emperors come and go, including Louis XV, Napoleon and Napoleon III. Napoleon III contributed greatly to the current Empire-style decor, making the palace a living testimony to this sumptuous period.

The choice of Compiègne as a royal residence dates back to Charles V, who, seduced by the surrounding forest, decided to build a château here. A favorite hunting ground, Compiègne has been frequented and embellished by a long line of monarchs. Louis XV, fascinated by Compiègne, commissioned the construction of the present château, the plans for which were drawn by Ange-Jacques Gabriel. Louis XVI continued the work, adding significant elements such as the wing overlooking the park and the peristyle, making the château a remarkable example of neoclassical architecture.

After the French Revolution, the château went through a period of neglect, before being rehabilitated by Napoleon I, who transformed it into an imperial estate. Napoleon III and Empress Eugenie then added their own touches, notably by staging the famous autumn "Séries", making Compiègne a center of social and political life during the Second Empire.

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Getting to Compiègne Castle

Getting to the Château is child's play, whether by train from the Gare de Paris-Nord in less than 45 minutes, or by car via the Autoroute du Nord. Once you've arrived, free parking in front of the château simplifies your visit. From the station, just walk 700 meters or take the free city bus.

Admission to Château de Compiègne

Admission to the Château de Compiègne not only includes access to the permanent collections, but also to the temporary exhibitions, with an audioguide included for the Grands Appartements. Outside exhibition periods, the full rate is €8, while the reduced rate is €7. During exhibitions, these rates rise to €10 or €12 respectively for RMN exhibitions, and €9 or €11 for the reduced rate. Good deal: admission is free for under-26s and for everyone on the first Sunday of the month.

Château de Compiègne opening hours

The Château de Compiègne is open every day except Tuesdays and special public holidays such as January 1, May 1 and December 25. The Château is usually open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., but it's important to note that temporary exhibitions may alter the usual times and rates for visiting the apartments and museums. It is therefore advisable to consult the official website before your visit.

As for the Park, it is accessible via two main entrances: the gate in the allée fleuriste and the gate in the rue du petit château. Opening hours vary according to the season, with access from 8am to 5pm from November 1 to February 28, from 8am to 6pm from March 1 to April 15 and from September 16 to October 31, and from 8am to 7pm from April 16 to September 15. It should be noted that the last access is possible up to 15 minutes before closing time, allowing us to take full advantage of the beauty and tranquility of the site.

Visiting the Château

The Château de Compiègne invites you to discover its historic apartments, the Musée du Second Empire and the Musée national de la Voiture, testifying to the richness of its cultural and historical heritage. The château's interior features sumptuous decors from different eras, reflecting the tastes and influences of its illustrious occupants. The Château de Compiègne, an architectural gem, is distinguished by its emblematic rooms, reflecting the opulence and cultural diversity of France. Here are just a few of them...

The Salle des Gardes: Designed in 1784 by sculptor Pierre-Nicolas Beauvallet (1750-1818), the ornamentation of the Salle des Gardes du Roi combines military and allegorical themes. At the time, after supporting the British colonies during the American War of Independence, Louis XVI was celebrated as the principal victor over England. The room's sculpted decorations make abundant reference to mythological figures embodying martial values, as well as to prominent historical figures such as Alexander the Great.

The Salon des Cartes: This salon illustrates the French art of living, where nobles and courtiers gathered to play games of strategy and conversation, in a setting that was both intimate and sumptuous. Under the Second Empire, the Château de Compiègne hosted the famous Séries every autumn: Napoleon III invited the court, the Parisian elite and the European gotha for a week of entertainment. The Salon des Cartes remains emblematic of this light-hearted, modern court life.

The Chapel: Erected mainly during the First Empire and subsequently remodeled under Napoleon III, the château's chapel, despite its relatively small size, has an undeniable monumental character. With its almost perfectly symmetrical architecture, it incorporates a tribune on three of its sides, which communicates directly with the imperial apartments, following the tradition of buildings of this type. It is particularly renowned as the venue for the August 9, 1832 wedding of Louis-Philippe's eldest daughter, Louise, to Leopold I, King of the Belgians (D. Vermand, 2002).

The Galerie des Chasses: During the First Empire, this room was the Empress's art gallery, housing some forty paintings on loan from the Louvre in 1810 and a few pieces of sculpture. During the reign of Louis-Philippe, the space was dedicated to the exhibition of Charles-Antoine Coypel's sketches for the series of tapestries depicting the story of Don Quixote. Since 1947, the gallery has showcased tapestries from the Chasses de Louis XV collection, created at the Manufacture des Gobelins by Mathieu Monmerqué's workshop between 1736 and 1746, based on designs by Jean-Baptiste Oudry. It also exhibits paintings by Desportes and Oudry, all from Louis XV's former apartment in Compiègne.

Le Grand Appartement : The Emperor's apartments reflect Napoleon's grandeur and authority, with rooms furnished in a style that combines comfort and majesty. The Emperor's period furniture, works of art and personal objects provide a fascinating insight into his daily life and his taste for art and decoration. One of the most remarkable spaces is Napoleon's study, where you can almost feel the Emperor's presence, immersed in his thoughts and strategies.

As for the Empress's apartments, they offer a more intimate and refined atmosphere, reflecting Empress Eugénie's personality and aesthetic preferences. These rooms are adorned with luxurious furnishings, precious fabrics and delicate objets d'art, evoking the elegance and refinement of the imperial court. The apartment also includes the salon de thé, a convivial place where the Empress enjoyed meeting her guests in a warm, relaxed atmosphere.

The Galerie de Bal: The highlight of the show, the Salle de Bal at Château de Compiègne is a masterpiece of architecture and decoration. Commissioned by Napoleon I, who had a series of buildings pierced for its creation, this imposing hall reflects the brilliance of the Empire style (1810-1813). The wall decorations, by Dubois and Redouté, and the ceiling sections, celebrating the Emperor's triumphs and designed by Baron Regnault's protégés, bear witness to this period. Girodet painted the figures on the spandrels, while Charles-Auguste Taunay was responsible for the bas-reliefs adorning the door lintels. During the Second Empire, this gallery was transformed into a dining room, where banquets were held during grand receptions. During the First World War, it was requisitioned as a military hospital from 1914 to 1917.

These spaces, steeped in history and beauty, make the Château de Compiègne a place not to be missed. They tell stories of power, passion and art, testifying to France's rich cultural and historical heritage. The Château de Compiègne continues to captivate and inspire, offering an open window on the nation's glorious past.

Nuit des Musées 2024 at the Château de Compiègne (60), torchlight tours of the apartments
For Nuit des Musées 2024, this Saturday May 18, the Château de Compiègne is offering a free nocturne starting at 8pm. As night falls, the royal palace will be lit up to let us admire the Emperor's and Empress's apartments by torchlight. [Read more]