You've probably heard of Chantilly from the song Chantilly Lace and they've been producing the lace since the 17th century although the silk laces weren't introduced until the 18th and the colours until the 19th century.
Today though, most people go to Chantilly to see the chateau which is one of the magnificent chateaux in the Paris area. Although it is less well known than Versailles the smaller scale of Chantilly makes it a much more approachable chateau. Having said that, it's still very much on a grand scale with the grounds running to around 7,800 hectares.
The collections
The chateau itself contains more than 6,000 paintings, drawings and engravings plus over 30,000 books and manuscripts. These are surrounded by numerous rooms containing period furniture and decorations. This collection is one of the finest museums of historical paintings in France.
The book collection alone would make a magnificent museum in its own right. The oldest manuscript is from the 11th century and there are some 200 medieval manuscripts, many of which are in the illustrated style. You can consult these from Monday to Friday with the permission of the museum curator in the small reading room but there is a selection on display in glass-fronted cabinets.
“Les Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry” is the collection’s prize possession and is one of the most famous and valuable illuminated manuscripts in the world. You can get a CD-ROM of this one.
The period rooms
On the first floor of the smaller chateau are the 19th century period rooms consisting of:
- The Antechamber;
- The Salle des Gardes (the Guardroom);
- The Prince's chambers;
- Cabinet d'Angle (The Angle Room);
- Grande Singerie (The Monkey Room);
- The Galerie des Actions de M. Le Prince (The Prince's Battle Gallery); and
- The Salon de Musique (The Music Room).
Outside you'll find the 17th century garden with water jets, a canal and waterfall in the French Garden. From the 18th century there's the Petit Parc and the Anglo-Chinese garden. The English garden dates from the early 19th century. All of these are on the grand scale and you'll find lakes, a canal, waterfalls and countless statues dotted around them.
The nearest is Paris Orly (ORY) which is served mainly by discount airlines. You might find it easier to fly to Charles de Gaulle (CDG) as the flight choice is much wider.
It takes about 40 minutes to reach Chantilly from Paris on the train. You can go from either the Gare du Nord or Châtelet les Halles (RER line D).
