Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Compiègne, France

Initially established as a modest royal hunting lodge for the Forest of Compiègne, this sophisticated town gained prominence in the 1800s, securing the favor of Napoleon I and Joséphine. During the First and Second Empires, Compiègne served as the residence of the imperial court, undergoing significant transformation.

At the top of your itinerary should be the Château, extravagantly refurbished at Napoleon’s direction, which retains its 19th-century decor and furnishings. The Forest of Compiègne also merits inclusion in your plans; it not only offers a delightful natural retreat, but it is also the site of several pivotal moments in 20th-century history.

Let us delve into the top attractions in Compiègne:

1. Château de Compiègne

This neoclassical palace has served as a royal residence and hunting lodge since the era of Charles V in 1374. Louis XIV visited 75 times, while Louis XV completely reworked the estate in the mid-18th century, resulting in the impressive exteriors that are visible today.

However, the grand interiors are predominantly the creation of the Napoleons, and it was under the First and Second Empires that Compiègne epitomized luxury. Napoleon I commissioned an opulent refurbishment at considerable cost, while Napoleon III and Eugénie brought an entire entourage during the autumn hunting season.

Napoleon I’s apartment and the Empress’s exquisite rooms are merely two highlights of what awaits you inside.

2. Clairière de l’Armistice

This clearing in the Forest of Compiègne has witnessed two significant events in 20th-century history. In 1918, German negotiators arrived via a carriage on Martial Foch’s private train to sign the armistice that concluded the First World War. This carriage was preserved as a memorial on-site from 1927. The importance of this location was not overlooked by Hitler, who on June 21, 1940, used the same carriage to impose terms on France.

The carriage currently at the site is a replica, as the original was displayed in Berlin throughout the war and ultimately destroyed. This replica was constructed in the same factory utilizing the original specifications.

3. Beaux Monts

At the dawn of the 19th century, Napoleon ordered a broad, five-kilometer strip of woodland within the Forest of Compiègne to be cleared for Empress Joséphine. The avenue commences in the château’s gardens and ascends to a 122-meter-high lookout at its terminus.

The autumn is an ideal time to visit, allowing you to hike up and admire the vibrant russet foliage. The vista extends over Compiègne and the château, and it is still satisfying to observe the meticulously planned, straight ravine that has remained intact for over 200 years.

4. Parc du Palais Imperial

From the grounds of the château, one can observe the Beaux Monts receding over the horizon. The gardens, much like the château’s interiors, were designed by Louis-Martin Berthault, replacing an earlier plan by the esteemed architect Ange-Jacques Gabriel, known for his work at Versailles.

Marble statues along the promenades were added incrementally up to 1859, showcasing a variety of styles that reflect the eclectic tastes of the Second Empire. Visitors can explore the rose garden from April to October, which has been restored to its 1821 configuration and features a small pond at its center, one of the few remnants of Gabriel’s designs.

5. Forest of Compiègne

Spanning southeast of the town, the vast forest has been a hunting ground for nearly every king and emperor, from Charles V to Napoleon III. Covering over 14,400 hectares of rolling hills, it provides ample opportunity for exploration.

To experience the forest fully, consider renting a bicycle for an afternoon, which will enable you to traverse ancient beech and oak woodlands for hours without encountering another soul. Along your journey, you will come across ponds and small tributaries leading to the Aisne and Oise Rivers. Nestled within the woodland are charming hamlets, such as Saint-Jean-aux-Bois and Vieux-Moulin, both favored by cyclists.

6. Hôtel de Ville

While the town hall operates as a municipal building, its striking architecture, featuring a spired belfry, is visually captivating and worthy of appreciation from the nearby formal gardens. Constructed during the early decades of the 16th century, the town hall exhibits exquisite late-Gothic stonework.

Admire the relief of Louis XII on horseback, sculpted by 19th-century artist Henri-Alfred Jacquemart during a restoration project led by the renowned Viollet-le-Duc. The belfry houses the historic “bancloque” bell, cast in 1303, making it one of the oldest communal bells in France. Three automatons, known as “Picantins,” chime the hour with their mallets.

7. Museum of the History of the Figurine

Situated just two doors down from the town hall, this museum will captivate those with an interest in miniatures. Initially, the extensive collection of figurines was displayed within the town hall, and the highlight is an exquisite diorama of the Battle of Waterloo, assembled in 1931 and still intact.

Regular exhibitions have been featured since the 1920s, and the collection, which now exceeds 150,000 pieces, found a permanent venue in the Hôtel de la Cloche on the same square. Various historical battles are vividly recreated, spanning from the Trojan War to the Normandy landings in 1944.

8. Église Saint-Jacques

The town’s largest church holds UNESCO designation as it lies on the Way of St. James pilgrimage route. Originally completed in the 13th century with early-Gothic design, the chapels, bell tower (the tallest in Compiègne), and upper sections of the nave were added in the 15th and 16th centuries.

Interesting to note is that Joan of Arc prayed here in 1430 on the very morning of her capture. As a royal parish church in the mid-18th century, the interior received an elegant refurbishment during Louis XV’s reign, clad in beautifully carved wood and opulent marble.

9. Musée Antoine-Vivenel

Compiègne’s fine arts and archaeology museum is named after its founding donor, who contributed the initial collections in 1839. The museum later relocated to the elegant surroundings of the Hôtel de Songeons-Bicquilley, and its collection has expanded through further donations, government deposits, and local excavations.

Antiquarians will appreciate the remarkable collection of Greek ceramics, the second largest after the Louvre, along with Gallic arrowheads and a Roman marble sarcophagus. The art galleries also feature Charles Le Brun’s sketches for Versailles’ Hall of Mirrors among other works from Italian and French art schools.

10. Jardin des Remparts

Few remnants of the walls that once surrounded Compiègne from the 1100s to the 1600s are left, as they were dismantled when no longer needed for town growth. Yet, a delightful trace of them exists in a hidden garden on Rue des Fossés. This garden, located in the former ditch, was established in the early 19th century by Ferdinand Bac, the son of an illegitimate nephew of Napoleon.

Bac crafted a delicate boxwood maze that remains a joy for children to navigate today.

11. Théâtre Impérial

Constructed in 1867 at Napoleon III’s request to entertain the imperial court, the theatre remained unfinished for over a century due to the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War shortly after its inception. Renovations finally commenced in 1987, and it was inaugurated in 1991 as Picardy’s sole opera venue.

Visitors seeking high culture should review performance listings before arriving in Compiègne since the 800-capacity hall not only boasts a grand design but also exceptional acoustics, often regarded as superior to Vienna’s esteemed Musikverein.

12. Camp de Royallieu

Located on Avenue des Martyrs de la Liberté, this former internment and deportation camp from the Second World War is significant in history. Most detainees included communists, Jews, trade unionists, and members of the Resistance, all facing imminent transfer to concentration camps across Germany and Eastern Europe.

Three preserved buildings, originally barracks constructed in 1913, can be accessed. The camp was first utilized by the Germans in June 1940 for processing British prisoners of war. A somber monument created by sculptor Georges Muguet was installed on the site in 2008.

13. Grosse Tour du Roi

Tucked between Rue d’Austerlitz and Rue Jeanne-d’Arc lies the last remaining vestige of medieval Compiègne. This tower dates back to the Carolingian Dynasty around the 9th century, later adopting its distinctive circular shape around the 1100s. It was constructed to defend the old bridge, the remnants of which are also nearby.

Since the 13th century, it has been considered unnecessary for defense and has gradually fallen into decay. This monument is also referred to as Tour de Jeanne-d’Arc, as the iconic heroine is believed to have passed the tower before crossing the river where she was captured on May 23, 1430.

14. Château de Pierrefonds

Situated on the opposite side of the Forest of Compiègne, this château is so enchanting that it served as one of the inspirations for Disney’s Cinderella Castle. The fortress was established in the 1100s, although the romantic ensemble of towers, spires, and gables was constructed in the 19th century.

While not all of the architecture is authentically medieval, Viollet-le-Duc, the architect behind the renovations, is celebrated for his masterful vision, which is on full display here. It’s worth noting that the castle has appeared in numerous films and television series, including “The Man in the Iron Mask” and BBC’s “Merlin.”

15. Regional Delicacies

The finest alcoholic beverages in Picardy are crafted from apples. Cider is typically produced by small family-run operations in the region, resulting in distinctive flavors that vary based on origin. Many cider producers also create Calvados, an apple brandy aged in oak barrels for two years.

For a hearty lunch, consider “rabbit in cider,” a dish prepared year-round featuring cider along with dried fruits and spices for a sweet-sour profile. However, if one dish stands out as a signature, it is likely “Ficelle Picardie,” a type of gratin made with ham and mushroom crêpes rolled and topped with melted cheese.