Palace of Compiegne, Compiegne, Picardy, France
Built as a royal palace for Louis XV and restored by Napoleon, Compiègne was one of three seats of royal government, along with Versailles and Fontainebleau. The palace has 1337 rooms, eight courtyards and two parks.
Compiègne was the favourite residence of Napoleon III, who established his court here from 1853 to 1855. From 1856, the emperor threw one-month-long hunting parties in autumn that attracted hundreds of aristocrats from all over Europe.
The star attraction are the Imperial Apartments featuring the emperor and empress’ bedrooms, as well as a ballroom lit by 15 chandeliers.
In addition to the lavish state apartments from the 18th and 19th centuries, the palace hosts the Museum of the Second Empire, the Empress Museum and the National Car Museum.
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