If you're looking for a weekend getaway from Paris, you've come to the right place. Pierrefonds is a small, charming town that should be added to your bucket list immediately!
This guide will give you an idea of how to spend the perfect weekend in Pierrefonds. Whether you are a history buff or a nature lover, there is something for you to do in this underrated, overlooked area of France.
Be sure to give this guide a save and stay tuned for the Paris Museum Bucket list - coming soon! 🇫🇷
This guide is just a teaser of some of the wonderful hidden gems you can find around Paris. I am focusing this guide just on the area around Pierrefonds but stay tuned for other day trip guides for other underrated areas around Paris! ✨
*Disclosure: This guide contains affiliate links to attractions and/or tickets. If you make a purchase after clicking one of these links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, which helps support my work.* 🫶🏼
Where to stay:
We chose to stay at the Moulin Royale because not only is it extremely picturesque but it is packed with history.Â
This history bed and breakfast is located in a textile mill from the 1300s that was restored by Napoleon III's wife, Eugenie De Montijo. The space is absolutely beautiful with exposed wooden beams and historic touches around the building.Â
This historic stay will make your weekend getaway from Paris complete! It is a historic estate that was used as a textile mill and was brought back to life by Empress Eugenie De Montijo.
This property has:
-Free parking
-breakfast included
-an outdoor pool
-gorgeous grounds
-option to for picnics in the surrounding region
-located less than a 10 minute drive from Chateau de Pierrefonds
đźš‚ You can get to Pierrefonds from Paris by train. Take the train to Compiègne Station and from there you can either take a taxi/uber or take the 658 bus. The train rain takes roughly 45 minutes and the drive from the station takes roughly 20 mintues.Â
🎟️ You can book your trains using sites such as Trainline or Omio. Both compare travel options and show you the best prices.Â
đźš— Alternatively, if you have access to a car during your visit, this might be the most straightforward way to visit the region as you can come and go as you please. The drive from the center of Paris takes roughly 1.5 hours or 50 minutes from Charles de Gaulle Airport.Â
This was a nice little restaurant with a beautiful view of the Pierrefonds Lake. It's right in the center of town so its the perfect place to grab a bite before or after visiting the castle. The food was great, the view was beautiful and the prices were affordable!
Although I personally didn't have time to eat here during my most recent visits, this restaurant is the highest rated restaurant in town so definitely worth checking out!!
I've visited this castle 2 times now and loved both of my visits. This beautiful 14th-century castle sits atop a hill overlooking the town of Pierrefonds, and the Pierrefonds lake.
It was restored to be a 'museum of the middle ages' and they did a beautiful job! It was also used as the backdrop for Camelot in the BBC show 'Merlin'.
Whats great about this castle is that its very different than the Chateau de Pierrefonds so you can have an entirely different experience visiting here.
This castle is more like a palace and it was built by Louis XV and remodeled by Napoleon I and III.
My 2 visits to the region were during the fall and winter so we didn't have the best chance at taking advantage of how close the forest are to the town of Pierrefonds.
But there are plenty of hiking and biking trails to choose from. Where we stayed at the Moulin Royale, they also offered picnic and other activities to visit the forest which looked super cool!
Right in the center of town you can also enjoy the Pierrefonds lake. In the summer months it looks like there are activities and boat rentals to enjoy some time outside! There are also some hiking trails around the lake as well!
If you're traveling with family, you can check out Parc Asterix as a less busy or touristy attraction than Disneyland Paris. The park is a great choice for all ages!
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I’m a seasoned traveler with experience in over 30 countries around the world, who’s been lucky enough to have lived in both France & the UK. Now I love helping travelers make the most of their trips and explore more underrated corners of France & the UK!
My goal is to not overwhelm you with options— in my guides & itineraries, I provide suggestions that are truly worth it, based on personal experience or in-depth research.
Whether you’re planning a dream trip to France, the UK, or beyond, I hope I can help you plan your next adventure! ✨
My expertise?
🇫🇷 On top of living in Lille, France for 2 years, my French fiancee has helped me develop a passion for this country beyond a typical tourist. Over the past 8 years, I’ve explored France from north to south: I’ve visited Paris 9 times, road-tripped through Normandy twice, & fell in love with Alsace. I’ve spent time castle-hopping in the Loire Valley, beach-hopping in Corsica, & explored Provence & the French Riviera multiple times. Bordeaux has become a second home, with over 10 visits to the region.
🇬🇧 I lived in London, UK for 2 years, mostly during the pandemic, when I really got to know the city in depth - since we couldn't go anywhere else! Beyond London, I’ve road-tripped through Scotland twice, explored gems like York and Liverpool, road-tripped through Cornwall & enjoyed countless day trips, from charming villages to coastal towns.
