Compiègne Castle

You’re now standing in front of the Compiègne Palace. Make yourself comfortable, we’re about to step into the past.It may not look it, but Compiègne has a long royal history, with four palaces succeeding one another here over the centuries. The oldest was built of wood and dates back to the Merovingian era. It was constructed under Clovis I, and it was here that his son, Clotaire, died during a hunting trip. Hunting was once very important in Compiègne, thanks to its forest, rich in game, which served as a larder for the French monarchy. Then came the Carolingians, and under the reign of Pepin the Short, Compiègne became a major diplomatic center, where leaders from across Europe gathered for key moments in history. Later, Charles the Bald — Charlemagne’s grandson — even made his home here.His son Louis II was crowned king here in the imperial chapel. And later, in Compiègne, Louis V — nicknamed the Sluggard — the very last of the Carolingian kings, died. Following the Carolingians, the Capetians took over Compiègne. Under their reign, Compiègne lost some of its significance, with major assemblies being held at the Sainte-Corneille Abbey, and the king only had a modest secondary residence. In 1358, Charles V, the Wise, son of John the Good, decided that the king’s small residence was no longer secure enough, and he ordered the castle to be built. After major renovations and expansions, it eventually became the palace you see today. You’ll notice that monarchs often have nicknames, sometimes unflattering ones, like Louis the Sluggard or Bertha with the Big Feet. Back then, the kings didn’t have numbers after their names yet, so their nicknames were often what set them apart. Many were “numbered” only later. In 1429, Charles VII, who had just been crowned in Reims with the help of Joan of Arc, made his grand entrance into the palace and stayed for twelve days. He established a tradition, where all monarchs would stop in Compiègne on their return from their coronation. It wasn’t until Louis XV and his architect Gabriel that the palace underwent a true transformation. By then, Compiègne had become the king’s favorite residence, as he loved hunting. It was here, on May 14, 1770, that he orchestrated the ceremony for Marie-Antoinette to meet her future husband, Louis XVI, sealing her fate. Then came the French Revolution, where the palace’s extravagant expenses were criticised, and the furniture was scattered, just like in all the royal residences. After the Revolution, the School of Arts and Crafts moved in. Then, the palace was renovated under Napoleon I, who received his Austrian bride, Queen Marie Louise, here. She was his second wife, after he and Josephine couldn’t have an heir. But it was really under the Second Empire that the palace saw its glory days with Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie, who initiated the famous “Compiègne Series.” Every autumn, for a month and a half, a carefully selected group of guests would visit the imperial couple. If you visit the palace, you’ll discover the only imperial residence with a cohesive First Empire style. You’ll admire magnificent décor, the grand staircase, the beautiful ballroom, the state rooms, the empress’s tea room, the incredible “indiscreet” or “confident” armchairs that live up to their names, Napoleon III’s library (which was open to everyone, even the servants), and the surprising apartments of Napoleon I, with leopard-patterned carpets he brought back from his Egyptian campaigns. Within the palace, you’ll also find the fascinating National Car Museum. It showcases an amazing collection that traces the evolution of the automobile, from carriages and horse-drawn vehicles to steam cars, and even the “Jamais Contente,” the first car to exceed 100 km/h in 1899! It was even electric! That concludes our story, now take your time exploring the palace for yourself!