Pierrefonds Castle - Picardy Region - The French People's Favorite Monument

Pierrefonds Castle - Picardy Region - The French People's Favorite Monument
With its princess-like appearance, Pierrefonds and its pinnacled towers are an architectural marvel that combines the best of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. And in this department, which has no shortage of rivals, it stands out as one of the must-see castles.
On the edge of the Forest of Compiègne, this beautiful defensive structure was built in the 15th century, dismantled in the 17th century on the orders of Louis XIII, then rebuilt in the 19th century by the inevitable Viollet-le-Duc to make it the imperial residence of Napoleon III. And it's a success. It's hard not to marvel at the powerful yet elegant silhouette of this castle, whose eight towers overlook a beech forest. Each of these towers bears the name of an illustrious figure, including Godfrey of Bouillon, Charlemagne, and Julius Caesar. With its drawbridge, machicolations, patrol path, and the reconstruction of two assault vehicles, we are plunged into another era. Moreover, directors of swashbuckling films know the place well. Many films have been shot there, including The Hunchback with Jean Marais, The Visitors, and Luc Besson's Joan of Arc.