Exceptional places / Castles / Chateau de Pierrefonds

Chateau de Pierrefonds

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Hauts-de-France

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Chateau de Pierrefonds

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About Chateau de Pierrefonds

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The Medieval Ideal Reinvented Rising from dense forests like a mirage, the Château de Pierrefonds offers the purest and most imposing image of a medieval fortress. Yet, this stone colossus is the product of a unique architectural adventure: left in ruins by history, it was entirely rebuilt in the 19th century by the audacious Viollet-le-Duc under the impetus of Napoleon III. More than a simple restoration, it is a masterful interpretation of medieval architecture, blending defensive realism with decorative fantasy. With its eight massive towers, crenellated curtain walls, and incredible defensive system, the exterior impresses with its power. Inside, visitors discover a magical world: the Hall of Heroines, an immense gallery with painted and sculpted decorations, testifies to the imperial luxury and chivalric ideals of the era. This dreamlike setting, a blend of historical reality and theatrical scenery, has naturally captivated the world of film and television (notably for the Merlin series). A visit to Pierrefonds is a fascinating journey into the land of legends, knights, and French architectural genius.

Tip for an even more exceptional visit.

The real secret to the perfect photo is to leave the castle grounds and walk around Pierrefonds Lake at sunset; the reflection of the crenellated towers in the water gives the monument its most enchanting appearance, a far cry from the massive look of the ramparts. Inside, don't miss the main courtyard to see how Renaissance and Gothic styles blend together. Finally, if you're a fan of the BBC series Merlin, you should know that it was filmed here: have fun finding the corridors of Camelot in the defensive galleries.

5 Key Dates

square_foot
1393

Louis d'Orléans had an ultra-modern castle built, combining formidable military defense and princely comfort, symbolizing his political ambition.
castle
1617

The castle, a refuge for opponents of King Louis XIII, was besieged by royal troops. Its destruction was ordered, but the scale of the task was such that they were content to simply gut the towers and demolish the roofs.
castle
1810

Napoleon I bought the romantic ruins of the castle for less than 3,000 francs, seduced by the prestige of the place.
NAPOLEON
castle
1857

The start of Viollet-le-Duc's project: Under the impetus of Napoleon III, the architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc began what was intended to be only a partial restoration. The project quickly transformed into a total reconstruction to create an imperial residence.
NAPOLEON
castle
1885

Opening to the public: After the fall of the Empire (1870) and the death of the architect (1879), work stopped. The monument became a museum, reflecting the romantic vision of the Middle Ages.

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cbonnet

2026-01-27

star star star star star

"C'est le château de Merlin (la série) ! Extérieurement, c'est le plus beau : des tours énormes, des ponts-levis, le truc médiéval par excellence. C’est super ludique et moins 'poussiéreux' que les autres. Un vrai kiff si t'aimes les ambiances chevaliers et architecture fantastique"

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