Chantilly, Picardie 60500

An hour from Paris, in the Oise, a 13th-century château offering tourism, seminars and rental-residence activity. Built in the 13th century by the Count of Clermont, it stands out for its position above the Oise valley. Constructed in Saint-Maximin ashlar stone quarried locally, it originally was a medieval fortress whose plan remains an L-shaped layout with three irregular round towers, evidence of its initial defensive function. Over the centuries the château underwent numerous alterations, notably under the Madaillan de Lesparre family, which undertook significant restoration works between the 15th and 17th centuries. Henri IV, close to Jean de Madaillan, stayed there several times, as did Cardinal Odet de Coligny. Much later, the château became the residence of the Condé family in the second half of the 19th century, and was transformed without losing its original character. The building comprises about 1,000 m² of living space spread over five levels: a basement, a ground floor, two upper floors and an attic. The ground floor houses three reception rooms, one of which is located in the former armory. The upper floors are today divided into four independent apartments, with additional workspaces that combine residential life with professional activity. On the facade, a double stone staircase leads to an elevated terrace bordered by balustrades. The evenly spaced windows, the steep slate roof and the overall sobriety reflect the successive transformations that have blended medieval austerity with classical harmony. The park, approximately two hectares in size, partly shares its grounds with a co-ownership that includes a few villas, while preserving the coherence of the estate.