Chateau de Chantilly

About

Chateau de Chantilly was built in the 16th century for Anne de Montmorency. During the 17th century the chateau hosted King Louis XIV, the pressure of which allegedly caused the maître d'hôtel to commit suicide when he thought the fish would be served late. During the French Revolution, the Grand Chateau was destroyed but was rebuilt by the Duke of Aumale, who donated it to the Institut de France on the condition it was not reorganized. The Musée Condé’s series of 19th-century rooms are still strewn with artwork, including works by Filippino Lippi, Jean Fouquet, and supposedly Raphael arranged according to the duke’s whims. In the original Petit Château, visitors will find a repository with a Gutenberg Bible. Of course, visitors shouldn’t spend their entire visit marveling at the chateau’s gorgeous interiors: a walk through the pleasant park with its canals and ponds is the best way to appreciate the chateau’s beautiful setting.