A French town known for its 14th-century château, horse racing tradition, and the invention of whipped cream. Located 50km north of Paris in the Oise region.
Chantilly, 40 kilometers north of Paris, centers around its Renaissance château where you can explore rooms filled with masterpieces like Raphael's "Three Graces" and the illuminated "Très Riches Heures" manuscript. Watch horses perform classical dressage in Europe's largest 18th-century stables, wander through Le Nôtre's geometric gardens, or cycle through the 6,340-hectare forest. The town gave its name to the famous whipped cream, which local pastry chefs still prepare according to the original 17th-century recipe.
Getting to Chantilly from Paris
The train from Paris Gare du Nord reaches Chantilly-Gouvieux station in 22 minutes. Take the TER Picardie train heading to Creil or Compiègne, making sure Chantilly is listed as a stop. From the station, you can walk 15 minutes through town to reach the château, or take the free DUC shuttle bus that runs Monday through Saturday.
Inside Château de Chantilly
The château combines two buildings: the 16th-century Petit Château and the 19th-century Grand Château. The Condé Museum displays 550 paintings, including works by Botticelli, Raphael, and Delacroix, making it France's second-largest collection of antique paintings after the Louvre. In the Cabinet des Livres, you'll find 4,000 manuscripts, including the illuminated Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry. Each room maintains its original 19th-century layout, with paintings and furniture arranged as the Duke of Aumale displayed them.
The Great Stables and Horse Culture
Built in 1719, the Great Stables can accommodate 240 horses and 500 hounds. Today, 27 horses live here, and you can watch them perform in daily equestrian shows at the Living Museum of the Horse. Riders demonstrate classical dressage techniques twice daily at 11:30 AM and 2:30 PM. The Chantilly Racecourse next door hosts 25 racing meets each year, with the Prix du Jockey Club, France's equivalent of the Derby, taking place each June.
Gardens and Forest
The château's 115-hectare grounds include three distinct garden styles. In the French formal gardens, Le Nôtre created symmetrical flowerbeds, reflecting pools, and grand fountains. The English garden contains a small temple and the Island of Love, connected by footbridges. The Anglo-Chinese garden includes a five-arched bridge and bamboo grove. You can explore the surrounding Chantilly Forest on 60 kilometers of marked trails, with bike rentals available at the château entrance.
Town Center and Local Specialties
Along Rue du Connétable, you'll find small shops selling local products and food artisans. Local markets fill the streets on Wednesday and Saturday mornings from 8 AM to 1 PM. Try the original Crème Chantilly at the château's restaurants or local patisseries - local chefs still hand-whip the cream with sugar according to the original 17th-century method.
Museums and Cultural Sites
At the Pavillon de Manse, you can see the 18th-century hydraulic machinery that once powered the château's fountains still in working order. The Museum of Lace in the Pavillon Egler displays traditional black silk lace work from the region, open Friday through Sunday from 2 PM to 6 PM. The 17th-century Church of Notre-Dame contains baroque wooden panels and a collection of religious paintings from the château.
