Chateau de Pierrefonds
Chateau de Pierrefonds stands on the southeast edge of the Compiegne Forest in northern France. A 12th-century fortress was rebuilt from 1393 by Louis I, Duke of Orleans, as a palatial stronghold, but his assassination in 1407 left the work incomplete. Cardinal Richelieu ordered its demolition after capturing it in 1617, though the scale of the task prevented complete destruction.
Emperor Napoleon III commissioned architect Eugene Viollet-le-Duc to restore the ruins from 1857, using the project to showcase his theories of medieval fortification. Managed by the Centre des Monuments Nationaux, the castle is open to visitors and has served as a location for films and television including the BBC series Merlin, where it represented Camelot.
Visitor information
- Location
- Pierrefonds, Hauts-de-France
- Country
- France
- Tier
- A (Magnificent, well worth a dedicated trip)
- Coordinates
- 49.3469, 2.9803
- Official site
- http://pierrefonds.monuments-nationaux.fr/
Frequently asked questions
- Where is Chateau de Pierrefonds?
- Chateau de Pierrefonds is in Pierrefonds, Hauts-de-France, France (approximately 49.3469, 2.9803).
- Can you visit Chateau de Pierrefonds?
- Yes — Chateau de Pierrefonds is open to visitors; see the official site at http://pierrefonds.monuments-nationaux.fr/ for hours and tickets.
- What tier is Chateau de Pierrefonds on the Castle Atlas?
- Chateau de Pierrefonds is rated A tier on the Castle Atlas — Magnificent, well worth a dedicated trip.
- What can you see at Chateau de Pierrefonds?
- Chateau de Pierrefonds stands on the southeast edge of the Compiegne Forest in northern France. A 12th-century fortress was rebuilt from 1393 by Louis I, Duke of Orleans, as a palatial stronghold, but his assassination in 1407 left the work incomplete. Cardinal Richelieu ordered its demolition after capturing it in 1617, though the scale of the task prevented complete destruction.