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Because of this unfortunate situation, the Chateau Chantilly, the
Conde Museum that it houses, along with the Grandes Ecuries, which is home to the La Mus?e Vivant du Cheval and the Parks and Gardens are now a place that we can
all visit and enjoy.
You will no doubt find that the History of
Chantilly castle is rather fascinating, but what you probably didn't realise, is that
this chateau is also home to one of the finest museums of historical paintings in France
and is second only to The Louvre in Paris. In fact, it is the only museum in France not including The Louvre that has 3 Raphael paintings.
There are around 1,000 paintings, 2,500 drawings and 2,500 engravings, that are on display
at this magnificent castle which is situated under an hour away from Paris. But the Chateau Chantilly and the Conde Museum also has a library that is full
or rare books and precious manuscripts and there are around 30,000 books and about 1,500
manuscripts held here.
The Cabinet des Livres or Book Room was originally installed in the years 1876 and 1877 in
the Petit Chateau and was designed to
house the Duc d'Aumale's library and to be a place for both reading and working. The
collection contained within this room is the most important collection of 19th century and
20th century French books in the country and one of the most famous and valuable
manuscripts in the world is held here, called the Les Tr?s Riches Heures du Duc de Berry.
The French garden with its magnificent fountains and ponds was designed by Andre Le Notre,
who also designed the gardens at the Chateau de
Versailles and this is just one of the areas in the grounds that is pleasant to walk
around and admire!
The Chateau's chapel is dedicated to Saint Louis, where you will be able to see a statue
that dominates the exterior fa?ade and was constructed in 1882 more or less on the same
spot where the old chapel stood before the French Revolution.
You can also visit the Petits Appartements which were the private rooms of the Duc
d'Aumale and these are accessed via the Escalier d'Honneur or Staircase of Honour and are
situated on the ground floor of the Petit Chateau that look out over the large balcony
which stands above the moat.
There is also a very important collection of photographs that date from the second half of
the 19th century and it reflects the different steps in the history of photography, from
the first pioneers to the first amateur photos that were taken by Robert d'Orl?ans, Duc
de Chartres, from which industrial photography was derived.
The Chateau de Chantilly is a fascinating place that is often overlooked by places like
the Chateau de Versailles, yet it will keep all the family enthralled and is a place that
you should not miss going to see.
You can also book parties at the Chateau de Chantilly and with a large collection of
historical paintings and one of the finest collections of illuminated manuscripts and
precious books, the Cond? Museum of the Chateau de Chantilly is a prestigious place to
entertain and gala dinners can be held for up to 350 people.
The Chateau de Chantilly also has a very large park including the French-style garden with
fountains and ponds that was designed by Andre Le N?tre, also within these gardens you
can find temporary facilities that are set up in the Park according to requirements.
The Maison de Sylvie is also a great place for seminars and marriages and lovely 17th
century building in memory to the Duchesse de Montmorency seats up to 150 guests for meals
and around 250 people for cocktails.
Chateau Opening Hours:
Open every day of the week except for a
Tuesday.
From April through to the end of October it opens at 10am and closes at 6pm.
Then from November through to the end of March it opens from 10.30am to 5pm.
Parks and Gardens:
The grounds are open every day of the week
except for a Tuesday.
From April through to the end of October it opens from 10am to 8pm.
Then from November the to the end of March they open from 10.30am to 6pm.
However, please bear in mind that the ticket booths close at least one hour prior
and in some cases two hours prior to the grounds closing.
Library:
The library and reading room is only available
via prior appointment and reservations from 9.15am through to 5pm on a Monday to Friday
and you would need to contact them on telephone no: 3 44 62 62 69.
The admission price is the same, even if it is only partially open, however, children
under the age of 18 are free if an adult accompanies them.
Chantilly is less than one hour from the City of Paris and you would need to take the
Autoroute du Nord otherwise known as the A1 and from Paris you would take the Chantilly
exit, whereas is are travelling from Lille you would need to take the Survilliers exit.
Address & Contact Details:
Chateau de Chantilly & Mus?e Cond?
BP 70243
60631
Chantilly
France
Information
Telephone: 3 44 27 31 80
Group information and reservations
Telephone: 3 44 27 31 80
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