Château de Chantilly

Château de Chantilly is a Renaissance-style castle in the town of Chantilly north of Paris, comprising the Grand Château and the older Petit Château. The two sections rise above an artificial water basin and are linked by a staircase and a gallery.

A fortress stood here from 1386 and later passed into the ownership of the Montmorency family before falling to the Condé branch of the Bourbon house in the 17th century. Architect Honoré Daumet rebuilt the Grand Château after its destruction during the Revolution.

The name Chantilly comes from the Latin word Cantiliacum, referring to the Roman roots of the settlement. Visitors today see grand salons with carved wood paneling where European princes were once received.

The estate opens daily except Tuesdays, and visitors can explore the main rooms independently or join a guided tour. The surrounding park offers shaded paths that work well for a walk on warm days.

One of the manuscripts in the library is the 15th-century Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry, an illuminated book of hours with singular depictions of medieval life. The manuscript is considered one of the most precious works of its kind in the world.

Location: Chantilly

Inception: 1882

Architects: Jean Bullant, Honoré Daumet

Official opening: 1882

Architectural style: French Renaissance architecture, eclectic architecture

Part of: domain of Chantilly

Website: http://chateaudechantilly.com

GPS coordinates: 49.19389,2.48583

Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:02