City of Art and History of the Oise region Hauts-de-France, Chantilly takes place about fifty kilometers from Beauvais and its magnificent cathedral, the heart of the forest Chantilly. It is located in the Nonette Valley, on the edge of the urban area of Paris, near Lamorlaye, Chantilly and Apremont.
The capital of the horse installed in the heart of Regional Natural Park Oise-Pays de France was born of the castle world famous today. She has been an important development in the eighteenth century, before turning to the equestrian activity a century later. Passed into the hands of three of the largest French families, Montmorency, Conde and Orleans, the city of Chantilly was forged in their hands, offering a unique architecture and an exceptional cultural influence.
Today, the town attracts many visitors wishing to enjoy the beauty of its architectural and historical heritage.
The tourist jewel of the town is the incredible domain Chantilly which groups such as the castle, the Grand Stables and the racecourse in a forest of more than 6000 hectares massive. Built in the mid-fourteenth century for the family of Montmorency, Castle Chantilly was largely rebuilt in the nineteenth century for the Duke of Aumale. The latter bequeathed the building to the Institut de France and it now houses the art collections of the Musée Condé. The site would consist of the Petit Château, which reveals an incredible interiors of the eighteenth century and the New Castle. Passing through the area, you can discover the Musée Condé one best collections of ancient art in France and the second oldest collection of paintings after the Louvre. Let yourself be seduced by the many manuscripts present there like the most famous of them, Les Très Riches Heures of the Duc de Berry. Around the buildings, you can take the alleys of the 115-hectare park and especially admire the flower beds of Le Notre. In the garden Anglo-Chinese, do not miss to discover the village that inspired Marie Antoinette to create one of Versailles. The entire site is now classified as an historic monument.
Considered one of the world's most visited equestrian sites, Great Stables now house the museum Vivant du Cheval, with more than 200 objects and works of art. The building impresses with its size, the quality of its architecture and its incredible scenery of the eighteenth century. Long 186 meters, they reveal a dome almost forty meters high. Every day, they are the scene of dressage demonstrations, and horse shows are regularly offered.
Inaugurated in 1834, the racetrack has Chantilly oldest horse stands France. Listed historic monument for its great public forum, the forum of the Committee and the former building of weighing, today hosts prestigious races.
Strolling down Chantilly, be sure not to go to the Manse Pavilion on the banks of the Nonette. Built in the late seventeenth century and rebuilt in the nineteenth by the Duke of Aumale, it presents such a mill with an impressive original wooden machine.
Built in the seventeenth century to plans by Jules Hardouin-Mansart, Notre Dame features classic architecture and sober and amazing decoration. At the corner of your city tour, you can also visit the houses of the officers in the extension of the stables and the hotel Beauvais sixteenth century. The Lace Museum is also an opportunity to learn more about this traditional art with beautiful antique pieces.
To enjoy the scenery, seduced by the network of channels or enter the heart of the Chantilly forest with its many hiking trails.