I am glad to find some pictures not in my blog yet this time just forgotten in my vault of memories, and they should be in my blog for the memories of always for you and me, We have been coming here since 1990, and we love it and then almost every year since 2003! This is Chantilly , a lot more than the castle me think, Do read my many posts on it and be delighted as I , This time let me tell you on curiosities of Chantilly !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I,
For reference as usually by me ,Chantilly is in the département 60 of the Oise, in the region of Hauts-de-France at the center of the forest of Chantilly, in the valley of the Nonette in my belle France, It is located about 38 km north of Paris, 71 km from Versailles, and 525 km from my current home, Lately, we get there on the N24 past Rennes take the N157 to the A81 ,and by Le Mans take the A11 dir Paris into the A10 and then connect with the A6b/a to the A3 to connect with the A1 exit 7 connect with the D16/317/1017 to Chantilly, Easy posted nice ride, toll roads,take less than 6 hrs.
The history of the Hospital Condé in Chantilly is like all in my belle France is just amazing, The story goes that in 1646, the Princess of Condé, born Charlotte de Montmorency, founded a charity in Vineuil, a hamlet in the Chantilly estate as the city of Chantilly would not be founded until 1692. Two “Daughters of Charity”, from the congregation founded in 1633 by Monsieur Vincent (future Saint Vincent de Paul), would settle in a small house to care for the sick poor. In 1711, Louis XIV, by letters patent, consecrated this legacy and authorized the establishment of a hospital in Chantilly. It was then that the building was constructed at the end of the Grand-Place. This hospital, which succeeded the house of Vineuil, would open its doors in 1723. In 1736, Louis XV issued new letters patent and entrusted the management and administration of the hospital to the Prince of Condé and his successors, stipulating that they did not own it. The French revolution put a stop to the expansion of this hospice. From 1800, the hospice resumed its charitable activities by also caring for abandoned children. Louis XVIII in 1815 confirmed the letters patent of 1711 and 1736 abolished by the French revolution. The Prince of Condé, having made the Duke of Aumale his heir, bequeathed to him at the same time the responsibility of taking care of the hospice. In 1897, the Duke, by will, entrusted the high guardianship of the establishment to a civil society which would be chaired by the head of the Family of France, Orléans branch.
The Fondation Condé possesses a precious heritage: archives spanning its entire history, paintings, furniture, and a collection of pharmacy jars exhibited in the former Saint-Laurent chapel located in the park. Of the 123 original vases, 119 remain. Admire 8 large vases, 12 incense-shaped jars, 35 small urn-shaped jars, 29 large urn-shaped jars, and 35 shouldered urn-shaped jars. In the 19C, the Duke of Aumale added 37 jars in the same style, but from Lunéville. Two preparation tables with marble tops dating from the 17C can also be admired. The old buildings of the Hospice Condé, which date back to the 18C, had become dilapidated and unsuitable for new health standards. They were leased to OPAC in 1984 for social housing. Currently, the hospice has become the Condé Geriatric Center, which manages a retirement home and a nursing home. This beautiful building complex, opens onto Place Omer Vallon, is a prime social housing facility for 71 families.
In front at the Place Omer Wallon see a wonderful fountain , This square was formerly called Place de l’Hospice, it was named Omer Vallon in honor of the mayor who held the longest term in Chantilly, from 1891 to 1929, almost forty years. He lived through great moments in the city’s history such as the death of the Duke of Aumale, the arrival of the Germans in September 1914, the installation of Joffre and his G.Q.G the same year, the creation of the Bois Saint-Denis district and its attachment to the city of Chantilly… Place Omer Wallon is where a pretty market is held every Wednesday and Saturday morning of each week.
In the 17C, during the time of the Grand Condé, this marshy valley was a duck shooting ground, giving the district the name Canardière. The marshes were drained during the developments carried out by André Le Nôtre from 1662 to 1683 for the castle gardens. Completed in 1858 by the Compagnie des Chemins de fer du Nord, the viaduct allows trains on the Paris-Creil line to cross the Nonette valley. 438 meters long, it has 36 semicircular arches, 25 meters high. Very badly damaged during the Liberation by Allied bombing and by the nazis during their retreat, it was restored in 1944. This is the viaduc de la Canardiere.
The Porte Saint–Denis runs on rue du Connetable D924A , attached to the Great Stables of Chantilly It is between the Great Stables and the tennis court, between the town center and the castle. A bit of history I like tell us the gate was designed in the first half of the 18C as part of one of the Duke of Bourbon’s pavilions at Chantilly. It was to stand at one end of the Grand Stables mansion, the Grand Stable, where the king’s thoroughbred horses were bred and which is now the Living Horse Museum (see post). The palace was completed and is now one of Chantilly’s attractions. However, upon the Duke’s death in 1740, work on the pavilion at the far end, the Porte Saint-Denis, was halted, and no one took any action to complete it, especially after the French revolution in and with a republican France. Thus, of all the constructions begun, only the structure of the portal, which serves as access for pedestrians, cars, and a few other elements, has survived. On one side of the portal structure, what must have been an also unfinished circular courtyard remains. The name Porte Saint-Denis comes from the lands on which the gate stands, which belonged to the Abbey of Saint-Denis (see post).
The official Fondation Condé : https://www.fondation-conde.com/patrimoine/historique.html
The Chantilly-Senlis tourist office on Chantilly: https://www.chantilly-senlis-tourisme.com/en/patrimoine-curiosites/les-sites-a-visiter-et-musees/
The Chantilly city tourist office on its heritage: http://www.ville-chantilly.fr/category/decouvrir-chantilly/patrimoine/
There you go folks, easy in and out and a wonderful town , castle, and museum to enjoy with the whole family for a good day or more. Again, hope you enjoy this post on curiosities of Chantilly as I
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 