Chantilly Hotels

B>Chantilly is a town positioned on the northern edge of Paris and its metropolis, the site of one of the most famous and beautiful French chateau. The elegant town of Chantilly, 48km north of Paris, has a heavily restored but imposing chateau, surrounded by parkland and lakes. What's more, there's more than ample opportunity for walking, cycling and horse riding in the neighbouring Forêt de Chantilly. From the 10th to the 14th century, Chantilly belonged to the Lords of Senlis that built the first castle which there are no remains today. Between 1386 and 1394, Pierre dÍOrgemont built a medieval fortress. The only remains today are the tower foundations in the moat. In 1484, Pierre dÍOrgemont bequeathed Chantilly to his grand nephew Guillaume de Montmorency who then bequeathed it to his son the Count Anne de Montmorency, a great man of the Renaissance period. Respected warrior and art collector, he renovated the medieval castle then constructed a second castle in 1560 on the little island south of the fortress now known as the capitainerie or little castle. This rectangular building has hardly changed since. The Count improved the terrace where we see today the equestrian statue by Paul Dubois (1886). The Count's grandson, Henri II de Montmorency built the park and Sylvie's House. Chantilly was confiscated by Louis XII who often came here to hunt. After a few political problems related to the Fronde, Chantilly became the Grand Conde's property who transformed it and in particular had Le Notre design the park which canalized the Nonette River to create the Grand Canal.