In the Oise region there are many castles. Among the most famous and imposing is the Château de Pierrefonds, it inspired Walt Disney's "Sleeping Beauty" castle and even served as a filming location for the film The Visitors or the series Versailles and Merlin.
Located in the Oise region, north of Paris, the Château de Pierrefonds was built at the end of the 14th century by Duke Louis of Orleans, son of King Charles V.
Originally built to control trade exchanges between Flanders and Burgundy, it was demolished three centuries later.
While the building was in ruins, Napoleon III entrusted its reconstruction to the genius architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, who also restored famous buildings such as the Mont Saint-Michel and the Notre-Dame Cathedral Paris.
The architect was inspired by the Middle Ages for the restoration of the castle.
The Castle, which dominates the city, is surrounded by a park. Its eight towers are each named after knights. In the surprising details of the court, we can find sacred and profane elements, as well as medieval fantasy literature.
The highlight of a visit is in the magnificent vaulted cellars of the castle. The exhibition "Le Bal des Gisants" consists of numerous statues commissioned by King Louis Philippe to pay tribute to those that brought glory to France. You can observe the gisants (funerary statues) in a still dance, where a play of shadows and lights and whispered poems accentuate the mysterious and mesmerizing atmosphere of the room.
Find out more about this French heritage gem in this article, which also gives you all the practical information you need to prepare your visit.
Enjoy your discovery!
Jessica from Comme des Français
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