Church of Saint-Pierre des Minimes

The small Church of Saint-Pierre des Minimes now serves as Compiègne's main exhibition space. This former Romanesque church, dating back to the 12th century and classified as a historic monument, hosts temporary exhibitions and is the oldest building in the city. Parts of the original stonework date back to the Carolingian era. The church was originally a place of prayer for the residents of the agricultural estate of the Saint-Corneille Abbey. A Catholic order known as the Minims settled here in the 16th century, building a convent next door, which today houses the primary school just to your right. Looted and abandoned during the Revolution, the church was later restored and transformed into an artistic space in the 1990s. I highly recommend visiting, it’s free to enter, and the exhibitions are displayed in a truly unique atmosphere.