CastleXPlorer

The Château de Pierrefonds or Castle of Pierrefonds is a fortified medieval castle located near the city of Compiegne north of Paris, France. The Castle of Pierrefonds was built in the 12th century as part of the county of Valois but in 1392 was the county turned into a Duchy and the castle was given to Louis D'Orléans, brother of King Charles VI. At the end of 14th and beginning of the 15th century was the castle rebuilt by architect Jean le Noir.

Château de Pierrefonds - Castle

One century later, in 1617, during the early troubled reign of Louis XIII was the Castle of Pierrefonds demolished and the castle stayed a ruin until 1810 when the Castle of Pierrefonds was bought by Napoleon Bonaparte for less then 3,000 francs. In the middle of 19th century Napoleon III of France entrusted the restoration of the Castle of Pierrefonds to the French architect, famous for his restorations of medieval buildings, Eugène Viollet-le-Duc. Deposition of Napoleon III of France in 1870, lack of funds stopped the restoration works in 1885 six years after the Viollet-le-Duc's death and the interior decoration was left unfinished. Nevertheless, former medieval fortress was restored in the present romantic style appearance.

Since 1848 the Castle of Pierrefonds is classified as a monument historique of France and is today one of the most visited castles in France.