Compiègne, Administrative commune in Oise, France
Compiègne is a commune in the Oise department of France, located along the river Oise in the Hauts-de-France region. The town sits about 90 kilometers north of Paris and combines historic architecture with the natural greenery of the adjacent forest.
The town served for centuries as a royal residence and hunting lodge for French monarchs who used the nearby forest for their hunts. In November 1918, military representatives signed the armistice ending World War I in a railway carriage in the forest of Compiègne.
The Château de Compiègne houses three museums displaying collections related to the Second French Empire, historical apartments, and automotive history.
The old town can be easily explored on foot, with most points of interest within a short walk from the train station. The nearby forest offers walking and cycling paths that are accessible from the town center.
Since 1977, the Paris-Roubaix cycling race traditionally starts here, bringing professional cyclists from across Europe each spring. The race is considered one of the toughest one-day road races in the world.
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