Chateau de Pierrefonds

Tuesday, 29th August 2023

Our first French chateau. Chateau de Pierrefonds was first built in 1397 by Duke Louis of Orleans, brother of Charles VI.  In 1617, the castle was dismantled and the towers ripped open under the order of King Louis XIII to prevent it from becoming a refuge for his enemies.   It was a forgotten ruin until 1810 when it was bought by Napoleon I.  But it wasn’t until 1857 that the Emperor Napoleon III wanted to turn Pierrefonds into an imperial residence and commissioned the architect Eugene Violet-le-Duc to restore the chateau.  It was opened as a museum to the public in 1867.    Restoration work ceased in 1870 at the fall of Napoleon III and the chateau became property of the state and only maintenance work has been financed since.  During WWI it was used as a barracks and hospital.  It was damaged during both wars and sections of the stonework and brick work shows how new it is.  

We had a lovely day, the little township of Pierrefonds is just gorgeous.  There are numerous small chateaus doted around the super green valley. Eateries on the edge of a small lake.  We found a nice outdoor restaurant at their small square for a baguette and coffee.