The Castle of Pierrefonds

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The Monument

The Castle of Pierrefonds, next to Compiègne, was built in the 15th century by Philippe d’ Orléans, and later demolished on order of Louis XIII. Napoleon III made Viollet-le-Duc rebuild the castle into an imperial house in the 19th century. The Castle of Pierrefonds is really a creation that illustrates the Middle Ages and the Renaissance styles, and shows what a talented creator Viollet-le-Duc was.
The variety and beauty of the painted face pattern already give an idea of what 50 years later will be known as the Modern Style or Art Nouveau through Horta, Guimard… The upper part of the sculpted patterns of animals illustrates a completely new version of imaginary animal ornaments. Inside, the gangways, porticoes and galleries of the castle create a very light atmosphere inviting to dreaming and meditation and inspired by Functionalist Architecture. Furthermore, a collection of copper and lead sculptures was added to the castle in 1995: imaginary animals, crowning elements, top-rafters and dormer windows made in the Monduit workshops. The Monduit workshops have taken part in all the restorations in the historical building as well as in the 1889 and 1900 Universal Exhibitions, in the building of the Belfort Lion and that of the Statue of Liberty.

Lodging

See the listing of the Hotels in Compiegnes

Practical information

Château de Pierrefonds
rue Viollet-Le-Duc
60350 Pierrefonds

Going there

From Paris: motorway A 1, exit n° 9, then secondary road D 200 towards Compiègne and D 973
From Lille: motorway A 1, exit n° 11, then secondary road D 935 to Compiègne and D 973
From Reims: main road N 31 toawrds Compiègne and secondary road D335
From Rouen: main road N 31 to Compiègne and secondary road D 973

On the Reims/Rouen road
15 km south of Compiègne

Opening / Closing

Times may vary

Open
2 May to 4 September : every day 9.30 am to 6 pm
5 September to 30 april : every day except Monday, 10 am to 1 pm and 2 to 5.30 pm
Last admission 45 mn before closing

Closed
on January 1, May 1 and December 25