What to do · Pierrefonds and Compiègne
Pierrefonds Castle, Viollet-le-Duc's Fortress
Information
- From
- €9 adult
- Duration
- 1 h 30
- Season
- All year except 1 January, 1 May and 25 December
- Who it's for
- All ages
A ruined medieval fortress that Napoleon III had Eugène Viollet-le-Duc rebuild as an imperial residence: the result, halfway between the Middle Ages and the Second Empire, dominates the village and the forest from a spur of rock. Because of its fairy-tale castle look, it has been used as a set in many films.
The visit
You walk through the courtyard, the rooms of the keep and, since 5 May 2026, the Empress's apartments. The Preuses room is closed for the second phase of restoration work. Inside there are documents from the Viollet-le-Duc house, lead pieces from the Monduit workshops and a “dance of recumbent figures”. The audio guide (€4) is in French, English, German and Dutch.
Opening hours and prices
From 2 May to 4 September, 9:30 to 18:00; from 5 September to 30 April, 10:00 to 17:30. Last admission one hour before closing. Entry €9; free for under-18s, EU residents aged 18 to 25 and for everyone on the first Sunday of January, February, March, November and December. Joint ticket with the Château de Villers-Cotterêts, €15.
At Christmas
On 21, 23, 26, 28 and 30 December 2026, at 14:30, a Nutcracker (Casse-Noisette) game-tour through the rooms of the keep, from age 7: €11, €7.50 for ages 7 to 18.
With young childrenAs a familyWith teenagers
