My husband and I are going to be traveling to Paris for 10 days in about one month. We are very interested in going to Pierrefonds to visit the Chateau de Pierrefonds. We are hoping to make a day trip out of it, but I can't find much information on things to do and see in either Pierrefonds or Compiegne, which is nearby. Any tips for us?
Posted by
Ojai, CA
591 posts
In Compiegne you can visit the famed railway car where the 1918 Armistice and France's 1940 surrender to Hitler were signed. The original car was moved to Berlin where it was then destroyed in a bombing raid, but this one is an exact copy.
Nearby is Chateau Chantilly which is definitely worth seeing; also the cathedral in Senlis.
Posted by
OP
Carrollton
3 posts
Thanks for the ideas! We are not renting a car, so we'll be taking a train to Compiegne, then a bus to Pierrefonds. I don't think we'll be able to stop at those other two cities. If there isn't much to see out there, would it be smarter to plan for more like a half day than a whole? I read that there is a beautiful forest out there with walking trails, so we might walk around there some.
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10633 posts
There are also some excellent restaurants around there.
Posted by
Ojai, CA
591 posts
The Chateau de Chantilly is a 'must see' and, yes, you can get there by train from Compiegne. The chateau itself has a great little museum and outside are the Grand Stables (a palace for horses). Also, adjacent to the property is the famous Chantilly Racecourse. You can walk from the station through the little town (some good restaurants there) over to the chateau. Look at www.chateaudechantilly.com
The train from Gare du Nord takes about 40" to Compiegne, 30" back to Chantilly (40" if you have to switch at Creil) and then it's just 24" back to Paris. Chateau de Chantilly closes on Tuesdays. Take a whole day and see both Pierrefonds & Chantilly.
Posted by
OP
Carrollton
3 posts
Thanks, Tim! You've been really helpful! :)