CHÂTEAU DE CHANTILLY
Château de Chantilly had plenty of owners from the Middle Ages all the way up through the 19th century, but it was its last owner – Henri d’Orléans, Duke of Aumale – who really made the estate what it is today and left the entire domain to the Institut de France in 1886 to be opened to the public. There is much to see at Château de Chantilly, and it is quite easy to get to. From the Gare du Nord station of Paris, I myself took the train just 25 minutes and got off at the Chantilly-Gouvieux station. From there, I walked 25 minutes to the estate. If you do not want to make the journey on foot, you can take a five-minute cab ride from the train station!
Château de Chantilly
One of my favorite experiences at Château de Chantilly was a guided tour of the Duke and Duchess of Aumale’s private suites. Please note that while the large suites located on the 1st floor of the Château can be accessed without a tour, these private suites can only be viewed if you go on one of the small group tours offered. The Duke of Aumale was actually the 5th son of the last king of France, Louis Philippe I, and these suites that date back to the July Monarchy are the only ones still intact at Château de Chantilly from that time. You will be able to view bedrooms of both the Duke and Duchess, gorgeous salons that include an abundance of family portraits, and a former dining room.
the Duke’s bedroom, which can be viewed during a tour of the private suites
Similarly to the large suites, you can roam the art galleries without a guide. The Duke of Aumale collected antique paintings, so many that Château de Chantilly has the second largest collection of antique paintings, only after the Louvre. Thanks to the stipulations in the Duke’s will, the layout of the paintings has remained unchanged since the 19th century. This allows the viewer to admire the art exactly as the Duke once did as one walks through the Gallery of Painting, the Clouet Room, and more!
the Gallery of Painting
Last of my favorite interiors is the Reading Room. If traveling the world finding the most gorgeous libraries is your thing, you will enjoy this room that houses thousands of printed documents. The Duke of Aumale absolutely adored collecting, and especially loved rare books and beautiful bindings. And while the château itself is a wonderful place to spend time, do not skip the grounds! If it is a lovely day, I encourage you to explore the English garden, the Anglo-Chinese garden, and the French-style flowerbed.
beautiful greenery outside Château de Chantilly
Walking around this large estate could build up an appetite, so I suggest eating at one of their three restaurants. I had lunch at La Capitainerie restaurant. Note that this restaurant is also home to the estate’s Chantilly Whipped Cream Workshops if you are so inclined to whip up this treat by hand! To purchase tickets to gain entry into the château, to go on a guided tour of the private suits, or to learn how to make Chantilly whipped cream, click here.
