History, sport or nature lovers will find everything they could wish for in and around Compiègne.
As a royal and later an imperial town, Compiègne is definitely well worth a visit. You can plan your tour of the town on foot from the Hôtel des Beaux-Arts. Tourists can set off to discover the rich and exciting history of the town itself, where numerous monarchs stayed from the days of Charles the Bald in the late ninth century, later becoming a royal hunting ground and a centre of power from the 18th century onwards. Its museums, churches and cloisters all bear witness to Compiègne’s past glory.

Between the town and the surrounding forests, why not visit the magnificent castle built by Jacques Ange Gabriel for King Louis XV, and which was the home of the French monarchs up to the period of Emperor Napoleon III. This castle is also home to several museums including the Museum of the Second Empire, the Museum of Empress Eugénie and the National Motor Museum. The building is surrounded by a park designed by Gabriel, which was modified under Napoleon III when the architect Berthaut cleared a huge passage leading into the forest

Adjoining the town, Compiègne’s state forest covers an area of almost 15,000 hectares. It is crisscrossed by numerous roads and paths designed back in the days of François I in the 16th century to facilitate hunting. This is today one of the finest wooded areas in Europe, where visitors can take the time to admire its centuries-old yew trees or its many forest visitor centres built over the ages. Many of these trails have now been converted into cycle tracks, guaranteed to delight mountain bikers. Those who prefer golf can also enjoy their sport at the nearby golf course.