Things to do around Compiègne: châteaux, museums, walks

The Château de Compiègne and its museums

Ten minutes from the studio. First a royal and then an imperial residence, the château houses three national museums: the historic apartments (from Louis XV to Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie), the Second Empire Museum and the National Car Museum, from horse-drawn carriages to the first motor cars. The large park stretches out towards the forest. The château is closed on Tuesdays.

More museums in Compiègne

Musée de la Figurine historique: 10 min; Thousands of figurines set out in dioramas; reopened in 2026 after renovation.
Musée Antoine Vivenel: 10 min; An art and archaeology museum in a grand town house in the centre.
Cloître Saint-Corneille: 10 min; The remains of the abbey and a gallery of medieval and Renaissance sculpture.
Mémorial de l'internement et de la déportation: 10 min; On the site of the former Royallieu camp, from which convoys of deportees left during the Second World War; a deeply moving memorial.
Armistice Glade (Clairière de l'Armistice): 15 min; In the forest, the site of the Armistice of 11 November 1918, with its museum and the railway carriage.

Two châteaux to visit nearby

Château de Pierrefonds: 30 min; A medieval fortress rebuilt by Viollet-le-Duc for Napoleon III, on the edge of Compiègne Forest.
Château de Boulogne-la-Grasse: 20 min; Built between 1890 and 1913; in its underground passages you can see signatures left by soldiers in 1914–1918. Open on certain dates and for events: check the calendar on chateauboulogne.com.

Hikes and walks

From the studio, the Mont Calvaire trail: a loop of about 10 km (allow 2 h 45) along the slopes of the Aronde valley, past the Mont Calvaire chapel, the old wash house, the church and the Braisnes ponds.
The château walk near Boulogne-la-Grasse (20 min): the Prés Verts trail, about 18 km (5 h), takes in the Château de Boulogne and the Château de Sorel, a viewpoint indicator and the Saint-Claude chapel; it starts at the old Boulogne-la-Grasse station.
The grand château circuit, by mountain bike or on horseback (start 20 min away): Oise Tourisme loop no. 312, 47 km with about 660 m of climbing, starting from the Nature et Randonnée centre in Élincourt-Sainte-Marguerite. It passes through 14 villages of the Pays des Sources, including Thiescourt, Plessis-de-Roye, Boulogne-la-Grasse and Orvillers-Sorel. The châteaux are private and seen from the outside, with information panels. Route sheet and GPX track on oisetourisme.com (in French).
Compiègne Forest (15 min): hundreds of kilometres of forest roads and trails, the Saint-Pierre ponds, the Beaux Monts viewpoint, and routes for cycling and riding.
The Aronde valley: more loops of 10 to 14 km start from the village and neighbouring villages.
With your dog: all of these walks suit dogs; in the forest, keep yours on a lead near the ponds and during the breeding season.

Shops and restaurants nearby

Le P'tit Monchy: in the village; The village bar and tobacconist, with a lottery counter and a small grocery: bread and pastries for breakfast. Open Monday to Saturday.
Restaurant du Golf de Monchy: 2 min walk; The golf clubhouse restaurant, just a stone's throw from the studio.
Le Tire-Bouchon, Rémy: 10 min; A lunchtime restaurant run by a very good chef: simple, carefully crafted cooking, in the next village.

Remember to book restaurants, especially at weekends.

Going out and sport

Golf du Château d'Humières: 2 min walk; 18 holes across rolling grounds, a driving range and a clubhouse restaurant.
Hippodrome du Putois, Compiègne: 12 min; Jump and flat racing on the edge of the forest, in the warmer months.
Le Tigre, Margny-lès-Compiègne: 15 min; Concerts, comedy and big shows.
Town centre and the banks of the Oise: 10 min; Restaurants, café terraces, the market and a riverside walk along the Oise.

Opening hours change with the seasons: check each venue's website before you go.

A weekend in three parts

Saturday morning
The imperial palace and its park.
Saturday afternoon
The town centre, then a café terrace by the Oise.
Sunday morning
A forest walk and the Armistice Glade.
Sunday afternoon
A round at the Golf d'Humières, a two-minute walk from the studio, or simply the garden.

Whatever you're into

Sport and nature: the 18-hole Golf du Château d'Humières, cycling and hiking in the forest, horse riding.
History: the château, the Armistice Glade, the First World War memorial sites of Picardy.
Going out: concerts and shows at Le Tigre in Margny-lès-Compiègne, races at the racecourse.
With your dog: the forest for walks, and a big garden to come back to: pets are welcome at Le Mont des Ormes.
Remote work: the CoWorking Rural de l'Aronde, 170 m from the studio, so you can arrive on Thursday and miss the Friday traffic.

The studio at Le Mont des Ormes and its paved path

Where to stay: peace and quiet, 10 minutes away

Le Mont des Ormes is a self-contained studio for two in an 18th-century outbuilding, at the end of a large 1,000 m² garden in the heart of the protected village of Monchy-Humières. Free parking, self check-in from 4 pm, pets welcome.

Discover the studio

Frequently asked questions

What can you do in Compiègne over a weekend?

On Saturday, the imperial palace and its park, then the town centre and the banks of the Oise; on Sunday, a walk in Compiègne Forest and the Armistice Glade. The Golf d'Humières, the racecourse and Le Tigre concert hall round off the programme.

Where can you stay somewhere quiet near Compiègne?

Le Mont des Ormes is a studio for two in a large garden in Monchy-Humières, a protected village 10 minutes from Compiègne, with free parking; pets are welcome.

What can you do with a dog around Compiègne?

Compiègne Forest offers hours of walks; at Le Mont des Ormes, pets are welcome and the garden is waiting for them when you get back.