- History of Compiegne
- Compiegne nowadays
- What to visit in Compiegne?
- High quality professional car service from Paris airport to Compiegne
With its 53.10 km² area, Compiegne is the largest city in the region. These historic monuments will allow you to make an impressive cultural discovery while breathing fresh air in the tranquility : car service from Paris airport to Compiegne
History of Compiegne
A royal and imperial city
Born in the 9th century, it is a royal and imperial city. Compiègne has seen all the events that have marked the history of France. Its forest was the hunting ground of all the sovereigns of France. After the canonization of Saint-Louis, some residents testified that this King has done a lot of renovation work in their city, including the first bridge in the city today called the “Pont Saint-Louis. He renovated the castle and built abbeys and the hotel-Dieu Saint-Nicolas is akin to a hospital. The most significant event of this period was the tournament of 14 June 1237 on the occasion of the wedding of his brother. Walking in the city, you find that you walk in the footsteps of Joan of Arc. While trying to save the villagers, she was captured by the Anglo-Burgundians in 1430 after having communed with the church Saint-Jacques.
Joan of Arc’s festivities
In fact, Joan of Arc’s festivities take place there all the last weekend of May. Streets and remains like the king’s big tower still bear his name. Because of its geographical position, Compiègne was also a strategic city during the battles that followed, but also an important place of trade during the Middle Ages as evidenced by the fair of Mi-Karesmes. Religious relics such as the Saint-Shroud and the remains of the Martyrs make her a pilgrimage town for the Catholic religion. We must not forget the sad story of the sacrifice of the sixteen Carmelites of Compiegne. These nuns were guillotined in 1794 in Paris.
The clearing of armistice
Great political decisions have been made since antiquity, going through the various revolutions of the XXVIII and the XIXth century until the second world war. In 1901, the Franco-Russian agreements were signed between Tsar Nicolas II and the then President of the Republic Emile Loubet. Also, the armistice of the first as well as World War II was signed in the forest of Compiegne known as “the clearing of armistice”. You can book a car service in Paris to go to Compiègne.
Compiegne nowadays
Currently, Compiegne is ranked among the best university cities especially in engineering training. Created in 1972 by Marine Officer and engineer Guy Deniélou, Compiègne University of Technology is the first but also one of the best Grandes Ecoles in France. It is a city that has combined its past with modernity. Modern infrastructures have been put in place or are under construction.
Some historical monuments are being renovated. Thus, new planning and traffic plans will be developed. The Z.A.C. des Deux-Rives will be a new neighborhood in the heart of the agglomeration. New housing, offices and businesses will be built there. The new bridge over the Oise is an ambitious project that will link the street Port to Boats on the town of Compiegne on the left bank and rue de Beauvais in the town of Margny Compiegne on the right bank. For its economic development, it has several industrial zones such as the ZAC Mercières and Royallieu Activity Zone. The city also offers cycling routes whether for a walk in the forest or just to move around the city. For your stay in Compiègne, we offer a car service always on time.
What to visit in Compiegne?
Having a rich historical past, tourism is one of the sources of income of the city. You have the opportunity to visit several sites such as the Abbey of Royallieu, the former abbey of Saint-Corneille, home to the Saint-Corneille Public Library and the Auberge des Trois Lurons.
The palace of Compiegne
As part of one of the three important royal and imperial residences of France, this castle was built under the reign of Louis XV in 1751. King Louis XVI decided to continue the work. It was refitted by Napoleon I, then by Napoleon III. Considered as a “historical heritage” since 1994, with 7.50 €, you can visit this museum. With this rate, you have the opportunity to discover the apartments of the Emperor and the Empress, the Museum of the Second Empire and the National Museum of the car.
The forest of Compiegne
It is a national forest which by its surface is 14,357 ha, ranks at the fourth position of the largest massifs domaniaux de France. It was the hunting ground of almost all crowned heads of France because it contains a large population of deer, deer and wild boar and recently raccoons. The imperial route known as the Eugenie route will allow you to soak up the life of the Empress. It is a circuit that you can do on foot but also by bike. You can discover the ponds, tides and its rich flora composed of oaks, beeches. The most popular places of visitors are the Beaux-Monts, Saint-Jean-aux-Bois, the Chapel of Saint-Corneille-aux-Bois, the ponds of Saint-Pierre and Pierrefonds. It was in this forest that the armistices of the last two great wars were signed.
Antoine-Vivenel Museum
Created by the architect Antoine Vivenel in 1839, this museum collects objects of art and archeology from any period, even from antiquity through the renaissance. It was built on the ruins of an old monastery ravaged during the French Revolution. You can see vases of Greco-Roman antiquity, paintings and paintings from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Since its creation, the jewels collected by the Museum have continued to grow. The museum welcomes you on Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays and Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays in the afternoon. You can soak up not only the history of France but also that of Europe.
The City of Boatmen
It is also a museum that began to open to the public in July 2000. It has also become a river port. By visiting the museum, you will discover “The House Museum” which reminds us of the importance of the town of Longueil-Annel in French shipping during the First World War. The visit of the Houseboat or “Freycinet” plunges you into the lifestyle of sailors and gunners. Do not miss “The Sound Kiosks” and “the banks of the canal” in which you will learn a little more about the operation of a lock. In some mythical places of the city, you will be able to benefit from guided tours by your driver guide.
High quality professional car service from Paris airport to Compiegne
Located in the department of Oise in the Picardie region, Compiègne is a city rich in history, fauna and flora. It is 41.2 km from La Mer de Sable and 91 km from Musée de la Nacre and La Tabletterie. For your airport trips, Compiègne is 99,4 km from Paris Orly Airport and 61 km from Roissy Charles-de-Gaulle Airport.