Discover Compiègne: château, museums and music theatre

Culture and history in Compiègne

Compiègne offers travellers a range of themes for a culture-focused stay: the history of the Château de Compiègne, collections of vehicles and figurines, the Mémorial de l’internement et de la déportation, and music theatre. When looking for a hotel, you can plan your trip around the subject that interests you most. Historical points of reference range from the château’s periods under various rulers to the dioramas at the Musée de la Figurine, which feature the Norman bocage in June 1944.

The château’s history and imperial apartments

The Château de Compiègne was built under Louis XV and Louis XVI and remodelled under Napoléon Ier and Napoléon III. Its history therefore includes an initial construction phase and later alterations under different rulers. Visitors can tour the apartments of the Emperor and Empress. This offers two distinct but related perspectives on a visit: the château’s architectural development and its imperial rooms.

Vehicles and figurines: two collections

The Château is also home to the Musée national de la Voiture et du Tourisme. Its significant collection includes horse-drawn vehicles and automobiles, spanning the period from their origins to the First World War. The museum thus offers a different focus from the history of the rulers and apartments in the château.

The Musée de la Figurine offers another way to explore history. Its collection comprises nearly 155,000 pieces, around 45,000 of which are on display; the presentation may change. Dioramas depict history from the Trojan War to the Norman bocage in June 1944. The two collections therefore differ both in their objects and in how they convey historical themes: vehicles on the one hand, figurines and staged scenes on the other.

Mémorial and Théâtre Impérial

The Mémorial de l’internement et de la déportation was established in 2008 on the site of the former Royallieu camp in Compiègne. Its connection to the former camp is part of the history of this place of remembrance.

The Théâtre Impérial adds music theatre to the city’s cultural offerings. Construction began in 1867 at the request of Napoléon III; after a long period out of operation, it was inaugurated in 1991. These two dates mark distinct phases in the venue’s history. The Théâtre Impérial presents recitals, chamber music, symphonic music, vocal music and music theatre. As the programme changes from season to season, it is worth checking the schedule for your travel dates.

Planning your visit

The four museum sites are only a few minutes’ walk from one another. The museums are about a ten-minute walk from Compiègne station. These details provide two different walking-distance reference points: the short distances between the museum sites and the approximate walk from the station to the museums. You can take both into account when planning your day.

Discover more destinations: Béthisy-Saint-Martin, Senantes, Moliens, Baron, Villers-Saint-Paul, Saint-Leu-D'esserent, Tourly, Fontenay-Torcy

See the wider travel overview: Oise.