This calm French town on the Oise River holds deep historical significance as the location of the 1918 WWI Armistice signing. Its restored medieval château draws visitors year-round.
Located 80 kilometers north of Paris, Compiègne was a favorite autumn retreat for French royalty. Walk through the grand Palace of Compiègne where Napoleon III once lived, explore the 35,800-acre forest with its historic Armistice Clearing, or admire Greek pottery at the Antoine Vivenel Museum. The town's streets lead you past the Gothic Saint-Jacques Church with its soaring bell tower and to the Palace gardens where 19th-century rose beds bloom beneath ancient trees.
Exploring the Palace of Compiègne
The neoclassical Palace of Compiègne dominates the town center. Ange-Jacques Gabriel built this massive structure in the 18th century. Walk through the Imperial Apartments to see the rooms where Napoleon I and III lived, with their original 19th-century furniture still in place. The Museum of the Second Empire displays art and objects from Napoleon III's time, while the National Car Museum holds an extensive collection of historic vehicles and carriages. Long tree-lined avenues lead through the palace gardens to restored 19th-century rose beds.
Walking Through the Forest of Compiègne
Ancient oak and beech trees fill the 35,800-acre Compiègne Forest. Take your pick from 900 kilometers of marked paths, either on foot or by bicycle. Small villages like Saint-Jean-aux-Bois and Vieux-Moulin dot the woodland. Look for the Avenue des Beaux-Monts, a five-kilometer straight path cut through the trees by Napoleon I in 1811. Red arrows mark the paths throughout the forest - these date from 1853 when they were installed to help the Empress navigate back to town.
Museums and Architecture
The Antoine Vivenel Museum contains the largest collection of Greek ceramics outside the Louvre. Its rooms display Roman artifacts and medieval art pieces. The Museum of Historical Figurines near the Gothic town hall contains 45,000 miniature soldiers arranged in battle scenes, including a detailed diorama of the Battle of Waterloo. The Saint-Jacques Church rises above the town center - its 13th-century Gothic base supports later additions from the 15th and 16th centuries, including the town's tallest bell tower.
World War Memorials
Visit the Glade of the Armistice in the forest to see where two pivotal moments of modern history took place. The 1918 Armistice ending World War I was signed here in a railway carriage. Hitler later chose this same spot for France's surrender in 1940. Today, a replica railway carriage (the original was destroyed during World War II) sits in the clearing. The museum contains artifacts from both events, and Marshal Foch's original statue still stands, having survived the German occupation.
Getting Around Compiègne
Trains run regularly from Paris Gare du Nord to Compiègne, taking about 45 minutes. The A1 motorway connects the town to both Paris and Lille. Most town center attractions lie within walking distance of each other. Rent a bicycle to explore the forest paths.
