I am visiting Paris for two weeks late May to Early June and I would like to take a day trip to Chantilly. I was wondering if there are any free admission days for the house, park, or stables? Also, I was thinking of visiting during one of the race days. Has anyone watched the horse shows or demonstrations at the stables? Are they good? I love horses and I ride dressage so I'm definitely interested in those. I would appreciate any advice on getting there (by train), eating there, and any other interesting activities. Thanks everyone!
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
Sage I love visiting Chantilly but I do have relatives there ( or did , unfortunately no longer) so I only take the train to the station and get picked up, but you can take the bus to the Chateau or even walk ( would be about a 25 minute walk I guess, nice trail) or take a taxi( that would be fast and likely pretty cheap but they don't have many taxis, you would likely have to call for one unless lucky. You simply go to Gare Du Nord, get a TER train, about 9 euros and 25 minutes. I would bus or walk. Check out SNCF, simply enter Paris and Chantilly ( Chantilly is often listed as Chantilly Gouvieux, that's just the station name , there is only one station so its not important, lol ) Chantilly is a cute little town to walk through( but don't shop there, its kind of $$$ , the suburbs around there are a bit posh in some places) and the Royal Stables/Horse Museum are worth visiting ( just near Chateau, you actually walk by them first before Chateau) . I did see a horse show there once, but frankly I am not a horse person , and the narrative is in French so for me it was only ok, but for a horse person you will likely enjoy it very much. The stables are very nice/interesting.
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
I love visiting Chateau Chantilly the Conde Museum inside it is wonderful and its never ever crowded,so nice to wander through, do get audio guide. The grounds are lovely and you must get some strawberries and Chantilly Cream at the café in the garden,, best strawberries you have ever had, not flavorless like we often get here.
Posted by
Paris
10193 posts
I was there in October with a group of dressage enthusiasts from Texas (!), and the girls presenting the morning show did an admirable job of presenting in English. They were very charming and really made an effort. I don't think you'll find any free days to visit; be sure to check the website to understand on which days and TIMES you can see the horse show. I think it's something like every morning they let you watch a practice for about an hour (you still have to pay), and then maybe twice a week there's a show in the afternoon outside ring. Personally I loved watching the practice inside and learning about how the Duke had had the stables built up, etc.