Chateau de Compiegne

Tip for an even more exceptional visit.

For a smart visit to the Château de Compiègne, the trick is to focus on the incredible suite of the Empress's Apartments: look for Marie-Louise's small silver boudoir, a First Empire decorative gem often overshadowed by the ballroom. In the latter, the Ballroom Gallery, don't just admire the gilding; have fun spotting the discreet trapdoors in the floor that were once used for heating and ventilation during Napoleon III's famous "Series" (religious performances). The real secret lies in the connection between the château and nature: don't leave without taking the majestic ramp that leads from the château to the forest. Walk to the end of the Empress's Cradle, a 1,200-meter-long iron trellis designed so that Marie-Louise could stroll in the shade. Finally, for an unusual experience, visit the National Car Museum located in a wing of the château. It is a unique collection in the world where you can see the ancestors of our cars, including the famous "Jamais Contente", the first automobile to have exceeded 100 km/h.