🏰 Pierrefonds Castle – A Fairytale Fortress Reborn

📍 Address: Rue Viollet‑le‑Duc, 60350 Pierrefonds, France; about 80 km north of Paris, on the edge of Compiègne Forest 🕒 Opening Hours: • May–Sept: Daily 9:30 AM–6:00 PM • Oct–Apr: Daily 10:00 AM–5:30 PM (closed Jan 1, May 1, Dec 25) Last entry 1 hour before closing 🎟 Entry Fee: ~€8–9 for adults; free for under‑18s & EU residents 18–25; included in Paris Museum Pass Originally built in the late 14th century by Louis I, Duke of Orléans, the castle fell to ruin in the 17th century before being lavishly restored by Napoleon III and architect Eugène Viollet‑le‑Duc in the 19th—reimagined as a grand medieval fantasy rather than a pure historic reconstruction . 🌟 Highlights • Storybook exterior: With towering turrets, a drawbridge, and eight stone towers, the castle looks like a Disney backdrop—no surprise it inspired films and even princess tales . • Lavish interiors: Marvel at the Hall of Preuses (52 m long), decorative arms, polychrome murals, stained glass, medieval weaponry, and even glittering canopy beds and flushing toilets—19th-century comforts in a medieval shell . • Moat & ramparts: Walk the fortified walls and enter via the drawbridge—immerse yourself in the atmosphere of castle defence and noble life . • Film set fame: Featured in “Merlin,” “The Man in the Iron Mask,” Disney’s fairytale inspirations, “Joan of Arc,” and more—fans can match scenes to real rooms . ✅ Visitor Tips • Allow 1.5–2 hours to explore interiors, ramparts, and grounds—longer if you’re a film buff . • Audio guides cost extra, but free guided tours (in multiple languages) run regularly—highly recommended . • Parking is in town, then walk or take a gentle uphill path. Access for prams or wheelchairs via longer, gentler route . • Combine with forest walks or the charming town centre for lunch after your visit . #旅行酷体验 #历史古迹 #trip #historicallandmarks #localguides#旅行灵感 #博物馆