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 Royal city and equestrian capital, Chantilly (www.ville-chantilly.fr) is a rare jewel of French heritage in the heart of a 6300 hectares forest that was bequeathed to the Institut de France by the Duke of Aumale in 1897.
Its Château, the second largest museum in France after the Louvre, includes a collection of paintings by masters such as Raphaël, Poussin, Ingres, Watteau, Delacroix and Corot and one of the most magnificent libraries in France.
The grand stables, considered to be the most majestic in the world, are a chef d'œuvre of 18th C architecture. Today they are also the home of the Living Equestrian Museum and 31 exposition rooms, with numerous spectacles throughout the year.
The racecourse takes on an international flavor each year in June with two grand prix meetings: the Jockey Club and Diane trophies.
Every two years, the entire site is bathed in magic when the "Nuits de Feu" international fireworks competition takes over the Château grounds for several days. |
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Situated in the heart of the château under the vaulted ceilings of Vatel's fabled kitchens, La Capitainerie offers an historic setting for private parties, groups and gastronomic meals as well as brasserie selections and a gourmet corner. This is also where you discover the secrets of genuine Chantilly whipped cream. |
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La Table des Lions is situated close to the Chantilly château in what was called the "fourrière": a walled compound where the carriages, wood and forage for the château were stored.
During the July Monarchy, Lord Seymour moved his stable of horses from Paris to Chantilly in order to train them on the "best of race courses". One of his horses won the premier Jockey Club trophy.
Under the second republic the fourrière and its buildings became a guard post for the château before becoming a restaurant.
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France Patrimoine -