Pierrefonds

Pierrefonds Castle:

In 1393, Louis d’Orleans, second son of Charles V, established a fortified residence built over the site of an original fortress constructed by the descendants of Nivelon of Pierrefonds in the 12th century.

This fortress, close to Compiègne, remained as a royal grant to the Orléans family, first Charles, son of Louis, and then the future Louis 12th. In  1589  Antoine de Saint-Chamand took the castle over in the name of the Holy League.

Saint-Sulpice church was founded between 1060 and 1070 by Nivelon, the first lord of Pierrefonds.

Sulpice was the archbishop of Bourges and advisor to king Clotaire II, he became bishop in 624.

The crypt is the only element that remains from Romanesque period. Nivelon, who died in 1072, is buried there. Many pilgrims used to come to Saint-Supilce church : indeed, there was in the crypt a spring which water was known to heal fevers.

Situated in the Chaussee Defublé, this monument pays homage to the nurses of France who died on the battle fields. There are few of them in France.

Compiègneforest is the third wood clump in France and the biggest one in Picardywith its 14 885 hectares and 57 miles perimeter.

It is delimited by the natural borders of the Aisne, Oise and Automne valleys. Pierrefonds is situated on its eastern side.

The forest is composed of about 60% of beeches, 30% of age-old oaks, and 10% of hornbeams. There are also a few coniferous trees.

The oldest tree is a yew located in the surroundings of Saint-Pierre-en-Chastres : it is supposed to be 900 years old, being the oldest tree known in France.

Other trees are impressive such as the oak du Puits du Chasseur (400 years old), the oak de l'Entente;(115 feet high and 20 feet of circumference), the big oak de Saint-Jean (circumference of 26 feet)...

For mushrooms lovers, the forest is the ideal place for picking in autumn.

Many animals live in the forest. At the bend of a path, you may be able to see them : cervidae, boars, foxes, hares and many others.