The Chateau de Compiegne, located in the French city of Compiegne by the River Oise, is one of the most important buildings in the history of France. Built by Louis XV, the castle was restored and rebuilt by Napoleon, becoming an outstanding example of French neoclassical architecture. Together with the Palace of Versailles and the Palace of Fontainebleau, it is known as the three royal palaces of France.

The Chateau of Compiegne was not only the residence of the French royal family, but also a witness to the history of France. Inside the castle, visitors can admire the magnificent furniture collection and feel the luxurious life of the French royal family. At the same time, the castle also carries important historical events, such as the arrest of Joan of Arc, the destruction of the French Grand GM, and the use of Napoleon III's Autumn palace.

The architectural style of the castle is also very distinctive, which is a representative of neoclassicism. This style emerged in France in the second half of the 18th century, abandoning the pomp and complexity of Baroque and Rococo, and returning to the solemn elegance of ancient Greece and Rome.

Surrounded by vast forests, this royal residence has seen Kings and emperors come and go, including Louis XV, Napoleon and Napoleon III. Napoleon III made a significant contribution to the current imperial style decoration, making the palace a living testimony to this luxurious period.

Charles V was attracted by the surrounding forest and decided to build a castle here. Compiegne was a much-loved hunting ground, frequented and decorated by successive monarchs. Louis XV had a soft spot for Compiegne and commissioned Anger-Jacques Gabriel to design and build the present castle.

After the French Revolution, the castle was abandoned until Napoleon I restored it and turned it into a royal estate. Napoleon III and Empress Eugenie subsequently renovated the castle, in particular organizing the famous autumn "Serys" event, which made Compiegne the center of social and political life during the Second Empire.

To Compiegne Castle
It is easy to get to the chateau from Gare du Nord in less than 45 minutes by train or by car via the Autoroute du Nord. Once you arrive at the castle, free parking in front of the castle is available for your convenience. From the train station, you can walk 700 meters or take the free city bus.

Tickets to Compiegne Castle
Tickets to Compiegne Castle allow access not only to the permanent collection, but also to temporary exhibitions, and the large room exhibition includes an audio tour. Outside the exhibition period, the full price ticket is 8 euros and the special price is 7 euros. During the exhibition period, tickets for RMN exhibitions are €10 or €12 respectively, and concession tickets are €9 or €11. Offer: Free for children under 26, free for all on the first Sunday of each month.

Opening hours of Compiegne Castle
The castle is open every day except Tuesdays and special public holidays such as 1 January, 1 May and 25 December. The castle is usually open from 10am to 6pm, but it is important to note that temporary exhibitions may change the hours and prices of visiting apartments and museums. Therefore, it is recommended that you consult the official website before visiting.

The park has two main entrances: the main gate on the allee fleuriste and the main gate on the rue du petit chateau. Opening hours vary depending on the season, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from 1 November to 28 February, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. from 1 March to 15 April and from 16 September to 31 October. From April 16 to September 15, it is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. It should be noted that the last opening time is 15 minutes before closing so that we can take full advantage of the beauty and tranquility of the castle.

Visit the castle
Compiegne Castle invites you to visit its historic apartments, the Museum of the Second Reich and the National Automobile Museum, all of which bear witness to the castle's rich cultural and historical heritage. The interior of the castle displays lavish decor from different periods, reflecting the tastes and influences of its distinguished occupants. The Chateau de Compiegne is a gem of architecture, with iconic rooms that embody the luxury and cultural diversity of France. Here are a few of them...

Garden Room
Designed in 1784 by sculptor Pierre-Nicolas Beauvallet (1750-1818), the decoration of the Queen's Garden Room combines military and allegorical themes. At the time, Louis XVI had supported the British colonies during the American Revolution and was credited with the victory over England. The carved decorations in the room are heavy references to mythological figures who embody the value of martial arts and famous historical figures such as Alexander the Great.

Comic Salon

This room showcases the French art de vivre, where nobles and courtiers meet to play strategy games and converse in an environment that is both private and luxurious. During the Second Empire, the Chateau de Compiegne hosted its famous salon every autumn: Napoleon III invited the court, Parisian high society and European nobility to a week of entertainment. The comic salon is a symbol of this light-hearted modern court life.

Chapel

The chapel of the castle, built mainly during the First Empire and later remodeled under Napoleon III, is undeniably monumental despite its relatively small size. It is built in an almost perfectly symmetrical style, with a guardrail on three sides that connects directly to the royal apartments, thus continuing the tradition of such buildings. On 9 August 1832, Louis-Philippe's eldest daughter Louise married King Leopold I of Belgium (D. Vermand, 2002).

Shas Gallery

During the First Empire, this room was the Queen's art gallery, housing about 40 paintings and some sculptures on loan from the Louvre in 1810. During the reign of Louis-Philippe, it was dedicated to the exhibition of sketches by Charles-Antoine Coypel for a series of tapestries depicting the story of Don Quixote. Since 1947, the gallery has exhibited the Louis XV Hunting tapestries, The tapestries were produced between 1736 and 1746 by Mathieu Monmerque's studio at the Gobelin factory based on Jean-Baptiste Oudry's designs. Also on display are paintings by Desportes and Oudry, both from Louis XV's former residence at Compiegne.

The Emperor's apartments embody the grandeur and authority of Napoleon, and the rooms are furnished in a style that combines comfort and majesty. Furniture, artwork and personal items from the emperor's time give an insight into his daily life and his taste in art and decoration. One of the most striking is Napoleon's study, where you can almost feel the emperor's presence, immersed in his thoughts and strategy.

As for the Queen's room, the atmosphere here is more intimate and sophisticated, reflecting Empress Eugenie's personality and aesthetic preferences. These rooms are decorated with luxurious furniture, precious fabrics and delicate works of art, reminiscent of the elegance and sophistication of a court. This apartment also includes the tea room, which is where the Queen likes to gather with her guests in a warm and relaxed atmosphere.

Ballroom

The ballroom of Compiegne Castle is the highlight of the entire exhibition and is a masterpiece of architecture and decoration. Commissioned by Napoleon I, this imposing hall embodies the splendor of the Imperial style (1810-1813). The wall decorations by Dubois and Redoute, as well as the ceiling sections designed by the proteges of Baron Reynaud to celebrate the emperor's victories, bear witness to this period. Girodet painted the figures on the lintel, while Charles-Auguste Taunay was responsible for the reliefs. During the Second Empire, the promenade was converted into a restaurant for banquets and receptions. During the First World War from 1914 to 1917, it was requisitioned as a military hospital.

These historic and beautiful Spaces make Compiegne Castle a place not to be missed. They tell stories of power, passion and art, and bear witness to France's cultural and historical wealth. The Chateau de Compiegne will continue to captivate visitors as always, offering them a window into France's glorious history.

Napoleon visited again in 1799 and 1803. In 1804 the castle became an imperial possession, and in 1807 he ordered that it be used again for habitation. The writer Auguste Luchet said, "Compiegne is to Napoleon what Versailles was to Louis XIV." During the French Revolution, the chateau was transferred to the jurisdiction of the Minister of the Interior, and in 1795 all the furniture was sold and its artwork sent to the Central Museum. It is currently located in Compiegne, Oise Province, and is open to the public.