Chantilly, princes' city and equine capital
©Bureau /
The Chantilly Estate
City of Art and History, Chantilly boasts a world-famous heritage and savoir-faire.
Ever since the Renaissance, the city's life has revolved around its château. The Petit Château, built in the 16th century, houses the apartments of the Prince de Condé. The Grand Château - rebuilt during the 19th century by the Duc d’Aumale, its last owner - is home to the Condé Museum, with one of France's finest collections of historical paintings, second only to the Louvre. The library's old books, the chapel, the Manse Pavilion, the hamlet and the garden designed by Le Nôtre complete the visit.
With more than 2,000 thoroughbreds and its renowned trainers, Chantilly is also the largest equestrian training centre in the world. Internationally famous horse races, such as the Prix de Diane and the Prix du Jockey Club, have been held each year since the beginning of the 19th century at the Chantilly racecourse, nestled between the city and the forest. The fun yet educational Living Museum of the Horse presents top-quality equestrian shows.
Restored just a few years ago, the gardens of the Potager des Princes ("Princes' Kitchen Garden") delight visitors of all ages.
Finally, Chantilly is a showcase of French decorative traditions, with its porcelain and black lace, as well as of the culinary arts. Indeed, who isn't familiar with deliciously famous Chantilly cream?
Visit Chantilly over a week-end!
Chantilly Tourist Office
60 Avenue du Maréchal Joffre BP 233
60500 Chantilly
Tel: +33 (0)3 44 67 37 37
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- The Barge- and Boatmen Museum, 1 hour from the Beauvais Airport
- Memorial tourism
- Royal Senlis: 2,000 years of history and architecture
- Compiègne, imperial and historic city
- Pierrefonds and its feudal castle
