# A weekend in the Oise: Senlis, Compiègne and Pierrefonds, an hour from Paris One night north of Paris: Senlis cathedral and walls, the Compiègne palace and the Armistice railway carriage, and Pierrefonds castle, sleeping facing its lake. Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/france/hauts-de-france/pierrefonds-and-compiegne/itineraries/weekend-in-the-oise · Revisado: 2026-11-12 Dónde: Pierrefonds and Compiègne North of Paris, the Oise département holds the France of kings and emperors: the town where Hugh Capet was elected in 987, the autumn palace of Napoleon III and Eugénie de Montijo and a medieval castle dreamt up by Viollet-le-Duc, all in the Compiègne forest, the court's hunting ground. 45 minutes from Paris by the A1, with a night facing Lake Pierrefonds. ## Where to sleep? HotelBest forFor whom Logis Hôtel BeaudonFacing the lake and Pierrefonds castle, with restaurantWaking up with the towers in view Alfred Hotels Compiègne300 m from the station, on the banks of the OiseIf you go by train or prefer the town ## How much does it cost? Between €130 and €220 per person with one night sharing a room, tickets (Senlis €7 if you enter the museum, Compiègne €10, Pierrefonds €9), meals and petrol. With children and young people it costs much less: the three national monuments are free for them. ## El plan ### Saturday · 10:00 · Senlis cathedral One of the first Gothic cathedrals in France, free, with a video guide from the tourist office. ### Saturday · 10:45 · The medieval town The signposted circuit along the Gallo-Roman wall, the royal castle and the chapel with the Miró stained glass. ### Saturday · 12:30 · Lunch at the Bistrot de la Place Facing the cathedral, home cooking; midday menu at €25 from Tuesday to Friday. ### Saturday · 14:45 · The park and the Beaux-Monts About 40 minutes by car. A walk along the 4 km vista towards the forest; from November to February the park closes at 17:00. ### Saturday · 15:45 · Compiègne palace The imperial apartments until 18:00 (last entry 17:15); on Saturday afternoon, also the Carriage Museum. €10, free for under-26s. Then to Pierrefonds and dinner at Le Beaudon. ### Sunday · 10:00 · The Armistice clearing The 1918 carriage in its museum in the forest, from 10:00 to 17:30. ### Sunday · 11:45 · Pierrefonds castle Two hours through the courtyard, the keep and the Empress's apartments. €9, free for under-18s. ### Sunday · 13:45 · Lunch and return At Le Beaudon, which opens at midday on Sunday, or in the village, and back to Paris by the A1, about 80 minutes. ## Consejos ### Neither Monday nor Tuesday The museums and the palace close those days. ### First Sunday of the month The Compiègne palace is free; Pierrefonds, in January, February, March, November and December. ### Without a car Train to Compiègne from Gare du Nord and bus to Pierrefonds; Senlis is then left for another day. ## Preguntas frecuentes ### Is it worth sleeping in Pierrefonds? Yes: the castle at dusk, from the lake, is the best image of the weekend, and on Sunday you start without a car. ### Can it be done in a day? Compiègne and Pierrefonds, yes; with Senlis, better one night. ### Is it a good plan with children? Yes: they love Pierrefonds and the Carriage Museum, and tickets are free for minors. ## Dónde dormir if you're flying - **Logis Hôtel Beaudon**: Catherine and Romain run this hotel in the village of Pierrefonds, facing the lake and the castle. It is open all year, and its summer terrace looks straight at Viollet-le-Duc's towers. The house Well-kept rooms, some adapted for guests with reduced mobility, free wifi, a bar and a restaurant serving seasonal cooking. Breakfast costs €14 per person. Dogs are accepted with a supplement of €10 to €12. Times and arrival Check-in from 15:00 and check-out until 12:00. Pierrefonds has no station: you get there by car (A1 exit 9, then towards Compiègne) or by bus from Compiègne station. What is nearby The castle, a few steps away; the Compiègne forest all around, with its paths and the Saint-Pierre ponds; the Compiègne Palace, about 15 km away. - **Alfred Hotels Compiègne**: On the banks of the Oise, 300 metres from Compiègne station, this 56-room three-star is the practical base if you arrive by train from Gare du Nord. Some rooms look onto the river. The rooms Soft tones, wood and natural materials, with rooms for travellers, for business and for families. The buffet breakfast is served from 7:00 to 10:00 in a room overlooking the Oise, with bread from a Meilleur Ouvrier de France baker and local produce. It has a bar and restaurant. Parking and getting there Private car park with limited spaces, at €12 a day; book before you arrive (maximum height 1.80 m). There is public parking nearby. By car, A1 exit Compiègne Sud. Check-in from 15:00 and check-out until 12:00. What is nearby The historic centre and the town hall, a short walk away; the palace, ten to fifteen minutes on foot; Pierrefonds, about 15 km by car or bus. ## Dónde dormir if you're driving - **Logis Hôtel Beaudon**: Catherine and Romain run this hotel in the village of Pierrefonds, facing the lake and the castle. It is open all year, and its summer terrace looks straight at Viollet-le-Duc's towers. The house Well-kept rooms, some adapted for guests with reduced mobility, free wifi, a bar and a restaurant serving seasonal cooking. Breakfast costs €14 per person. Dogs are accepted with a supplement of €10 to €12. Times and arrival Check-in from 15:00 and check-out until 12:00. Pierrefonds has no station: you get there by car (A1 exit 9, then towards Compiègne) or by bus from Compiègne station. What is nearby The castle, a few steps away; the Compiègne forest all around, with its paths and the Saint-Pierre ponds; the Compiègne Palace, about 15 km away. - **Alfred Hotels Compiègne**: On the banks of the Oise, 300 metres from Compiègne station, this 56-room three-star is the practical base if you arrive by train from Gare du Nord. Some rooms look onto the river. The rooms Soft tones, wood and natural materials, with rooms for travellers, for business and for families. The buffet breakfast is served from 7:00 to 10:00 in a room overlooking the Oise, with bread from a Meilleur Ouvrier de France baker and local produce. It has a bar and restaurant. Parking and getting there Private car park with limited spaces, at €12 a day; book before you arrive (maximum height 1.80 m). There is public parking nearby. By car, A1 exit Compiègne Sud. Check-in from 15:00 and check-out until 12:00. What is nearby The historic centre and the town hall, a short walk away; the palace, ten to fifteen minutes on foot; Pierrefonds, about 15 km by car or bus. ## Dónde dormir without a car - **Logis Hôtel Beaudon**: Catherine and Romain run this hotel in the village of Pierrefonds, facing the lake and the castle. It is open all year, and its summer terrace looks straight at Viollet-le-Duc's towers. The house Well-kept rooms, some adapted for guests with reduced mobility, free wifi, a bar and a restaurant serving seasonal cooking. Breakfast costs €14 per person. Dogs are accepted with a supplement of €10 to €12. Times and arrival Check-in from 15:00 and check-out until 12:00. Pierrefonds has no station: you get there by car (A1 exit 9, then towards Compiègne) or by bus from Compiègne station. What is nearby The castle, a few steps away; the Compiègne forest all around, with its paths and the Saint-Pierre ponds; the Compiègne Palace, about 15 km away. - **Alfred Hotels Compiègne**: On the banks of the Oise, 300 metres from Compiègne station, this 56-room three-star is the practical base if you arrive by train from Gare du Nord. Some rooms look onto the river. The rooms Soft tones, wood and natural materials, with rooms for travellers, for business and for families. The buffet breakfast is served from 7:00 to 10:00 in a room overlooking the Oise, with bread from a Meilleur Ouvrier de France baker and local produce. It has a bar and restaurant. Parking and getting there Private car park with limited spaces, at €12 a day; book before you arrive (maximum height 1.80 m). There is public parking nearby. By car, A1 exit Compiègne Sud. Check-in from 15:00 and check-out until 12:00. What is nearby The historic centre and the town hall, a short walk away; the palace, ten to fifteen minutes on foot; Pierrefonds, about 15 km by car or bus.