Chantilly, Historic commune in Oise, France
Chantilly sits in the Nonette Valley in the Oise region, surrounded by wide forests and known for its castle with formal gardens. The town spreads across a hilly landscape where residential areas alternate with training facilities for racehorses.
A first castle appeared here in medieval times and was later replaced by a Renaissance residence destroyed during the Revolution. The current palace was rebuilt in the late 19th century at the request of a member of the Orléans family.
Horse racing at the Hippodrome de Chantilly has drawn visitors from across Europe for generations and shapes the social life of the town. Many residents work in stables or at the racecourse and maintain a centuries-old equestrian culture.
Regular train connections from Paris Gare du Nord reach the town in under half an hour and make a day trip easy. Large parts of the forest are open to the public and offer paths for walking or cycling around the estate.
The local cuisine carries the name of this place since whipped cream was invented here in the 17th century. Local workshops produced a particular type of fine lace in the 19th century that also bears the name of the town.
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