About this experience
During the trip, you will discover two atmospheric places in the immediate suburbs of Paris. Chantilly will charm you with its park, designed by the Versailles designer, and of course, the château itself. We will talk about the history of the château and its stunning collection, which includes works by Raphael, Botticelli, Ingres, Poussin. And then we will take a walk in the cozy town where the founder of the French royal dynasty ascended the throne in the 10th century.
What to Expect
Chantilly: the spirit of French aristocracy
You will learn the history of the complex, dating back to the 10th century when the first fortress was built here. You will find out how the construction was modernized according to the military art of different eras. And when we turn the pages to the 15th century, the story of the transformation of the citadel, inherited by the influential Montmorency family, will unfold before us.
It gets more interesting as we go. I will tell you how the new owner - Louis II de Bourbon-Conde - transformed the castle into a luxurious palace with a magnificent park, created by the author of the Versailles Park.
Let's travel to the 18th century and imagine how a huge hippodrome with stables and famous monuments of the Age of Enlightenment appears here. Currently, the complex houses the Horse Museum, where spectacular equestrian performances take place.
We will also talk about how Chantilly became a haven for priceless works of art. You will learn about the Duke of Aumale, thanks to whom more than a thousand paintings by great masters and a collection of 30,000 antique books appeared here.
Ancient town of Senlis
In the second part of the journey, we will visit one of the oldest settlements in France. This is where the royal residence of the Carolingian dynasty was located. Hugo Capet, the founder of the Capetian dynasty and, as a result, the subsequent Valois and Bourbons, was elected king in Senlis. And in the middle of the 11th century, the daughter of Yaroslav the Wise, the future queen of France, arrived here.
We offer two options for a city tour.
1. A short walk through the old streets with a visit to Notre-Dame de Senlis, a 12th-century cathedral. After that, there will be time for lunch in one of the local restaurants (we will choose in advance).
2. A longer walk through the city streets with a visit to Notre-Dame de Senlis.
Organizational Details
- Transport services are included in the price. The excursion takes place in a spacious, comfortable car HONDA CR-V Exclusive (2022) with a panoramic roof.
- The travel time to Chantilly is approximately 1 hour.
- Additional expenses: entrance tickets to the castle, park, and stables - 17 euros for adults, 13.5 euros for children under 17, as well as lunch (optional).
- I can conduct the tour for a larger number of participants. The cost of the tour for 3-4 people is 300 euros, for 5-6 people is 320 euros.
