Pierrefonds Castle is a castle complex that originally dates back to the Middle Ages and was reconstructed and extended in the 19th century as a private residence for Napoleon III. Even the cellar is worth a visit!
Near Compiègne, you will discover the fortified castle of Pierrefonds, which was badly damaged and forgotten in the 17th century and was reinvented in the 19th century by the architect Viollet-le-Duc in an extraordinary reinterpretation of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. An architectural treasure awaits you: The chapel, the courtyard of honour and the cellars are simply incomparable.
Napoleon III decided to transform the romantic ruins of Pierrefonds into an imperial residence. He commissioned Eugène Viollet-le-Duc to restore the former fortress of Louis d’Orléans to make it a symbol of the Second Empire. The restoration work took over thirty years. The prestigious hall of Pierrefonds Castle, the "Salle des Preuses", is undoubtedly the showpiece of the castle due to its size and decoration. Its vaulted ceiling in the shape of an overturned ship’s hull, its length of 53 metres, its height of 12 metres and its width of 10 metres give it the appearance of a ballroom.
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Address:
Rue Viollet le Duc, 60350 Pierrefonds, Oise, France
The entrance ticket to Pierrefonds Castle is included in your Paris City Pass
Free admission to Paris's museums, attractions, and tours. Discounts included.
incl. VAT and service fees, excl. shipping fees