Compiègne Travel Guide

 mintola Says:  We were lucky that there was just the 4 of us and 2 others being guided around this beautiful chateau. The cost was very cheap and for kids under 18 free! Because we were a small group we were able to view the bathroom of Josephine, which you wouldn't normally see with a big... 

 freya_heaven Says:  The impressive Chateau at Compiegne was built between 1755 and 1799. During the French Revolution the chateau was internally stripped but luckily the exteriour was left pretty much untouched.This was one of the last of the royal palaces to be inhabited, built on the... 

 egonwegh Says:  Relics at the Church of St. Jacques, Compiegne. A really astounding collection of relics, there must be dozens of them! Apparently, much of these ended up here from several churches or abbeys in the neighbourhood in the wake of the French Revolution. 

 egonwegh Says:  Church of St Jacques, Compiegne ; this is where Joan of Arc, the Maid of Orleans, came to pray on the day she was arrested during the Hundred Years' War. 

 freya_heaven Says:  There is a small war museum here, which is very interesting. 100s of photos taken in the trenches, it really brings it home what these men went though and the awful living conditions. This is where both Armistice agreements were actually signed.Admission was about 2 euros... 

 freya_heaven Says:  Joan of Arc was an incredible woman, at the age of 12 she began hearing voices to rid France of the English, by dressing as a man and wageing war. At the age of 17 in 1429 after various battles she and her troups had a great victory over the English. Joan had risen through... 

 freya_heaven Says:  Clairiere de L'Armistace is where world war 1 officially ended, in a railway carriage, in ths clearing of the beautiful Forest of Compiegne. The armistace was signed at 11.00 on the 11th November, 1918.In 1940, June the 22nd in the exact same railway car the French signed... 

 freya_heaven Says:  The Church of St Jacques built in two stages, firstly in the 13th century and then again in the 18th is famous for its beautiful stained glass windows.On the morning she was captured Joan of Arc came here to paey in 1430.This is a most attractive church both internally and... 

 freya_heaven Says:  This wonderful old timber frame building dates back to the 15th century. One of the oldest half timber frame buildings in the area.Later in the 18th century it was home to the chief boatman (Maitres du Pont), who controlled the river traffic on the River Oise. 

 freya_heaven Says:  The city centre of Compiegne is buzzing even on a week day. Plenty of cafes and shops here, even some you will have heard of. I guess this is for the Parisians who land in the city at the weekend. There is quite a mix of traditionally stone built, modern and even timber... 

 freya_heaven Says:  On top of the Hotel du Ville, the Bell in the belfry above the clock tower, dates back to a communal bell which was melted and re-shaped in the 1303. 

 freya_heaven Says:  I have found the town halls (Hotel du Ville) in France to mainly be very impressive buildings, but the one at Compeigne tops the lot!.Designed in the 1800s by Viollet le duc, the same architect who designed the fairy tale castle at Pierrefonds. (have a quick look). The... 

 freya_heaven Says:  Auberge du Daguet is an asthetically pleasing place, both inside and out. Unfortunately they were not serving food at the time we were in the village of Vieux Moulin. The menu, if a touch expensive looked very appetising, even had vegetarian options! I would definately eat... 

 freya_heaven Says:  This is another picturesque little village we happened across, looks quite a wealthy little place, didn't see any deralict places here. With Vieux Moulin being only a a few km south east of Compiegne I imagine it is a commuter area.If your passing, its worth a wander around... 

 freya_heaven Says:  All the way from the Chateau in Compiegne there is clearing through the forest to Beau Monts (Beautiful Mountain). It is possibe to walk all the way. From the top are wonderful views of the surrounding area. This is called to 5km walk!The Forest of Compiegne for centuries...