Chantilly Castle

Visiting Chantilly Castle is one of the best day trips you can take from Paris. This palace is where the famous Chantilly cream was born, and it's just 1 hour away (50 kilometers) from the French capital. Perfect for a there-and-back day trip!

This former residence, surrounded by gardens, is una de las grandes joyas del patrimonio francés. It has often been overshadowed by the great fame of the Palace of Versailles or the Palace of Fontainebleau, but the truth is that it has a unique historical and artistic legacy that we're going to tell you about in detail to inspire you to visit. 

A Brief History of Chantilly Castle

Chantilly Castle belonged to several princely dynasties that contributed to its development over the centuries. Its earliest foundations date back to the Middle Ages, and it was restored countless times by its owners: the Orgemont, Montmorency, and Condé families. However, it owes its grandeur to Henri d'Orléans, Duke of Aumale, son of Louis-Philippe, the last king of France.

This prince, considered the greatest collector of his time, brought together countless masterpieces and precious manuscripts at Chantilly. As a result, the castle survived through the centuries and remains just as it was when the Duke of Aumale donated it to the Institut de France in 1886.

In tribute to his predecessors — the Princes of Condé — the Duke of Aumale named the collection of rooms housing this treasure the "Condé Museum," which today draws thousands of visitors from across France.

Do you know where the name Chantilly cream comes from?

That too takes us back to the castle's history. The recipe for sweetened whipped cream was born in the kitchens of the château, when François Vatel — a French cook who served the Grand Condé, Louis II — was overseeing a three-day banquet held in 1671.

There are two versions of the story: some say there wasn't enough cream to go around, so he had to whip it to increase its volume. Others say it was simply a mistake with the ingredients. True or not — thank you, Vatel!

What to See at Chantilly Castle

El pequeño Château de Chantilly

Here you will find the grand apartments of the Princes of Condé and the Duke of Aumale, a gallery, and a music room, as well as an antechamber and a guardroom.

Le Château d’Enghien

This building, constructed in 1769, once housed the princes' guests. Today it is home to the Condé Museum, where you can view important collections.

Los jardines del castillo de Chantilly

The gardens extend over nearly 115 hectares and were created in different eras and styles. You can explore the French Garden (created in 1700 by André Le Nôtre, the gardener of Versailles), the Anglo-Chinese Garden designed in 1773, and the English Garden created in 1817, where you can spot swans and various birds.

Las grandes establos

Built between 1719 and 1735 by architect Jean Aubert for Louis-Henri de Bourbon, these stables are considered an architectural masterpiece of the 18th century. They are the largest princely stables in Europe, and also house the Living Horse Museum. 

How to Get from Paris to Chantilly Castle

There's no doubt that a visit to Chantilly Castle is one of the best day trips you can take from Paris. Here are the best options to get there:

En coche

You can take the A3 and/or A1 motorways, exit "Chantilly", or the D316 and D317 roads. The distance is 50 kilometers and the journey takes about 1 hour 20 minutes.

En tren

There are two ways to get from Paris to Chantilly Castle by train:

• From the Gare du Nord, the main SNCF lines stop at Chantilly-Gouvieux station. The journey takes 25 minutes.
• Take the green RER line (D), one of the Paris transport options, and get off at Chantilly-Gouvieux station. The journey takes 45 minutes. 

Opening hours, ticket types, and prices

Opening hours

Chantilly Castle and its various attractions are open every day except Tuesdays, during the following hours:

• Castle: 10am to 5pm
• Great Stables: 12pm to 5pm
• Gardens: 10am to 6pm

Tickets and prices

You can get tickets to Chantilly Castle without queuing. They include access to the castle, gardens, and the Great Stables. Also remember that the ticket is included with the Paris Pass, so you won't have to pay any extras. Otherwise, you have three options:

• Entrada de 1 día. Includes a visit to the castle, the gardens, and the Great Stables, plus access to equestrian demonstrations and temporary exhibitions. Price: €17
• Entrada de 2 días. Includes everything in the 1-day pass, but with the option to spend 2 days exploring the estate at a more leisurely pace — ideal if you want to take in every detail. Price: €23
• Entrada terrestre. Gives you access to the grounds of Chantilly Castle and its 3 gardens. Price: €9