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Delicate black lace, prestigious horse races, and decadent whipped cream… yes, you can enjoy all three in Chantilly!
Just north of Paris, Chantilly is a charming town to explore. Here’s your guide on what to do and see in Chantilly, France, including how to visit the Château de Chantilly. All you’ll have to decide is whether to make it a day trip or stay a little longer.
Château de Chantilly
Is Chantilly, France worth visiting?
With castle-seekers often choosing the bigger and more well-known Versailles, Chantilly and its castle remain relatively peaceful and uncrowded. If you want to avoid large crowds, Chantilly is absolutely worth it.
Unlike some of the more major must-see destinations, a visit to Chantilly won’t leave you feeling drained. The town itself is small and pleasant, with some lovely spots to eat. (And yes, you’ll need to try the local Chantilly cream, of course!)
Things to Do in Chantilly, France
Château de Chantilly & Its Grounds
Visit the Château de Chantilly and its stunning estate. The Musée Condé—the art galleries inside the castle—are included with your ticket. Here you’ll find the second-largest collection of old paintings in France, after the Louvre. With numerous gardens, there’s plenty to explore both inside and out.
Great Stables of Château de Chantilly
The Great Stables are impressive and a must-see if you like horses—or even just want to see some! The Musée Vivant du Cheval (Living Horse Museum) is housed in the stables and includes interactive elements. I loved looking at all the different saddles on display. Your visit to the stables is included in the castle ticket, and most tickets include access to equestrian shows.
Le Hameau Restaurant
Le Hameau Restaurant is tucked among rustic little cottages in the Anglo-Chinese garden on the estate. Open seasonally from mid-March to mid-November, it’s a popular lunch spot with indoor and outdoor seating. Parasols and tents offer shade and shelter. To be honest, prices were steep (as expected), and it wasn’t a world-class meal, but the setting was idyllic and peaceful.
We were happy to arrive early on a beautiful day. Tables can fill quickly, so consider calling ahead for a reservation, especially if the weather’s nice. There are also other dining options on the estate.
Horseback Riding
With a rich history in hunting and horsemanship, Chantilly is considered the equestrian capital of France. Unsurprisingly, it’s home to one of the country’s oldest and largest horse training centers. You likely won’t see this unless you plan ahead, but you might spot the Chantilly Racecourse on your walk to the castle.
Horse lovers might be interested to know that Chantilly Estate partners with Henson-Chantilly-Appremont to offer exclusive, guided horseback rides through the castle grounds.
If you’re staying longer or want a more forested adventure, check out this horseback tour through the Chantilly and Senlis forests. Both experiences are open to all riding levels!
Nature Walks
With its vast forests, Chantilly is a green lung for Paris. In addition to trails on the castle grounds, there are multiple hiking paths in the area, like La Petite Boucle and Forêt de Chantilly, if you want a little more walking.
Looking for a shady, quiet green space, we headed toward Le Grand Canal and noticed a few nearby parks. Near Parking du Canal, we stumbled across Trail de Santé des Bourgognes, which is marked on Google Maps as a green trail. A small forested path leading to outdoor fitness stations (good for older kids or teens) turned out to be the perfect setting for our baby’s stroller nap.
Musée de la Dentelle de Chantilly (Lace Museum)
Lace-making in Chantilly dates back to the 17th century, but it wasn’t until the 19th century that artisans began specializing in black lace with floral patterns. Celebrating this craft, the Chantilly Lace Museum is a charming, small two-room museum. You can view delicate pieces up close. Unfortunately, display cards are only in French and there’s not much info on the making process, but the intricate work is still wonderful to see.
Chantilly Cream
Your visit to Chantilly won’t be complete without tasting the famous Chantilly cream. Though falsely attributed to being first created in the castle kitchens, the connection between the cream and the town remains strong—and I’m not complaining. You’ll find whipped cream used in many dessert menus around town. We enjoyed a sweet afternoon treat at L’Atelier de la Chantilly.
And why stop at just one taste? 😋
How to Get to Chantilly from Paris
Chantilly is located north of Paris in the Hauts-de-France region.
Note for Paris residents: While Chantilly is very close to Paris, it is outside Zone 5, so if you’re a Navigo user, you can still use your metro pass to get there.
The most reliable way to get to Chantilly is by taking a regional train from Gare du Nord. With regular departures throughout the day, the TER will get you there in about 25 minutes. Though you can buy tickets at the station, I prefer booking ahead to save time. Check schedules, prices, and book via SNCF.
How to Get from Chantilly Train Station to Château de Chantilly
Getting to the Château from the train station is easy!
From the station, the most direct way is on foot. Walk straight from the station and cross Avenue du Maréchal Joffre to find a well-marked path through the forest and a large field/park. You’ll pass the racecourse and stables on the way. This scenic shortcut takes about 15–20 minutes.
Alternatively, you can walk through town by turning left on Avenue du Maréchal Joffre, then right on Rue du Connétable. This route is longer—about 30 minutes.
If walking isn’t your thing, the next best option is by bus. On weekends and holidays, a tourist shuttle (Navette Touristique) runs directly to the castle, stopping at interesting sights along the way. Buses 645 (daily to Senlis) and DUC (Monday to Saturday) also stop near the castle, but check schedules to confirm. All these bus options are free.
Taxis are also possible but not always available at the station, so they’re not the most reliable.
Is Chantilly Family-Friendly?
Château de Chantilly is great for kids, offering free or reduced admission for children and families. Kids ages 4–10 will love exploring the grounds in a small electric car they can drive (don’t worry—parents control it remotely 😅). Alternatively, the whole family can hop on a golf cart. The Little Train Tour around the grounds is another fun seasonal option.
Strollers and soft-frame baby carriers are allowed inside the castle, stables, and grounds. We used our stroller throughout. Carrying it up a few stairs wasn’t a big deal, but the cobblestones leading to the castle and the gravel paths around the grounds were less ideal. (Thankfully, the gravel was mostly on wider paths!) In general, we love traveling with the Babyzen Yoyo² since it’s lightweight and compact—but a bigger-wheeled stroller might have handled the terrain better this time!
That said, the bumpy ride made for a great nap!
Download the Château de Chantilly app to access an audio guide for kids with a fun mystery to solve while exploring. (Traditional audio guides also include the mystery.) Activity booklets for ages 6–12 are available on-site and in English.
The castle grounds also have a play area and maze, though the play space is in full sun—might be hot for little ones depending on the season.
Children’s menus are available at the castle’s two restaurants—La Capitainerie (in the castle) and Le Hameau (on the grounds). Le Café des Écuries, located in the Great Stables, offers snacks and drinks. Families can also bring their own picnic and enjoy the lovely weather in dedicated picnic areas. We saw some large family groups relaxing on the grass.
The Musée Vivant du Cheval includes sensory activities for young learners, and kids will love seeing horses and donkeys during shows or equestrian demonstrations.
How Much Time Do You Need to Visit Chantilly?
Given how close it is to Paris, a day trip to Chantilly is very doable. That said, there’s quite a lot to see on the estate—not to mention other attractions beyond the castle. While you could fit in most highlights in a day, you might feel a bit rushed depending on your pace.
Related: Day Trip Essentials
Since we were traveling with our 5-month-old baby, we opted to spend one night in Chantilly so we could enjoy everything at a slower pace. This gave us time to see the castle and its grounds, the stables, the lace museum, and take a nature walk—without feeling rushed.
If you’re looking for a place to stay, we really enjoyed our stay at Hotel Le Chantilly. Well located on the main street, it’s about a 10-minute walk from the train station and 20 minutes from the castle. The staff was super friendly and attentive, and the breakfast buffet was excellent. Cribs and baby beds are available upon request.
