A gorgeous palace, chateau set on water, #Chantilly and its glories! #France

   

The entrance to the chateau

Watching the Tour de France with my husband, I yearn for more pictures from that helicopter!
     Did you?
     If so, I aim to provide!
     Here are mine of that fabulous palace owned by lesser Bourbons (and before that the Duc de Montmorency). This palace approximately 50 miles north of Paris is easily accessible by SNIF, the regular local commuter train.
    Do go!
    The walk from the train station is a bit of a hike so you may raise your hand and try a taxi. But however you go, do take your camera and save your appetite for gorgeous Rococo architecture, furnishings, the riding stable, art and fabulous lunch from the on site restaurant. Yes, they serve. And they serve a lovely array of dishes, including original Chantilly cream. Order it and do so quickly when you sit down because they tend to run out! Visit the website for more info:  Chateau Chantilly
   

      In fact, the kitchen was the site of the Gerard Depardieu film Vatel to create the kitchen of that other fabulous chateau, Vaux le Vicomte http://www.vaux-le-vicomte.com/en/.

   
     The main house tour centers on the ground floor. The beauties here include a map of the main battle of The Fronde which was an uprising fomented against the child Louis XIV. Given to the French Republic by the last nobleman to own the house, the chateau is maintained by the French and beautifully so.
   
     The major attraction for many visitors is the library, renowned for its vast collection (under glass protection) of first editions of centuries' old volumes. The other rooms include the duke's offices, a ballroom, a music room and various reception rooms. The power and majesty of the chateau, for me, was in the alabaster white of the walls with gold leaf filigree everywhere.

The private chapel holds at ihefront altar a crypt wherein all hearts of the dukes are buried.
Hidden during the Revolution, this crypt was returned after the Republics of France assumed power over governing.

Cerise went to #Paris, stayed in #Montmarte, went to #chateau of #Chantilly and ate in famous #kitchen!

View from our 6th floor Paris apartment in Montmarte!
A sunny day in October!

Known as the largest, best preserved of the grand chateaux in France, Chantilly is a gorgeous edifice in the Paris suburbs. To get there, as we did, by RER train, is quick and easy. We had a NAVIGO card, which I recommend you buy and so our trip was quick and affordable. It was especially so because we stayed in Montmarte, and here is our view from our apartment.

Chantilly, originally built by the Montmorency family, was owned by the great rival of Louis XIV, the Grande Conde. This nobleman led a famous battle which he won resoundingly, and thus became a powerful man in his own right. He rebelled against the famed Louis, but lost his hegemony. I leave it to you to investigate further, should you desire. My attempt here is to give you highlights, not necessarily the in depth history of the chateau.

One entrance through which you access the
kitchen, now a restaurant that serves marvelous food!

Devolving from the Montmorency family, Chantilly went to the Grande Conde and then after the French Revolution and Napoleon, on to the Bourbons once again. The last owner was the nephew of the last Bourbon king to rule France, known as the Duke D'Aumale. It is his house and furnishings which are largely on display at this marvelous estate.

Known for the stables and horse breeding, the stud is a well known one in France and today it is still used for races and such. The arena is huge and on the Sunday we visited, they were hosting a competition there beyond the elaborate gates.

Along the moat, the house seems to float.

Inside the main house, the grandeur tends to overwhelm with huge circular marble staircases, a superlative art collection including portraits of each of the Bourbon kings and the original of the 3 Graces.

If you go, do plan enough time to dine in the kitchen which is now a fabulous restaurant. Yes, they serve Chantilly cream on their puffs for dessert. But the rest of the menu is scrumptious, too. If you have seen the movie VALMONT about the famous French chef who served a famous house party where Louis XIV was guest, you will sit in the same room as he...and dine well!

The main entrance to the chateau. 

Entrance to the stables. Inside is a show arena.

Rococco decor on the front gates of the stables.

Chairs in the Duke's office, not exactly conducive to conversation!

The music room with the duchess's harp.

A bust of the Grande Conde.

The family chapel in the chateau. Note the French canopy of blue and gold as well as
the black marble altar pieces. Inside these are buried the hearts of the dukes who lived here.
Yes, this was a tradition until the last duke to give his heart after death in the 1860s.

I leave you with a picture that was the very devil to take!
The ornate ceiling of the family chapel with its shields, carvings of gold and blue amid the light
from fabulous stained glass windows.