Visitor numbers set record

Pierrefonds Castle in the Oise department welcomed 184,587 visitors in 2025, a 12% increase from the previous year and the highest number in its history. A quarter of these visitors came from abroad, with British tourists accounting for 17%, followed by the Dutch at 15% and the Belgians at 11%.

Historical background and design

The castle's origins date back to a project begun in 1857 to preserve the ruins. However, in 1861, under Napoleon III, the project evolved into a full reconstruction of an imperial residence. Architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc led this transformation, promoting the idea that restoration could involve creating a version of a building that never actually existed in its historical period.

Reconstruction and modern status

The reconstructed castle reflects a vision of an imperial residence rather than an authentic medieval fortress. Today, it ranks 11th among the fifteen most visited sites in the Centre des monuments nationaux network, which manages France's historic monuments and sites.

Ongoing restoration efforts

Restoration work at Pierrefonds Castle continues, with the Preuses wing being the most significant project in the last 150 years. Starting in January 2022, the project includes restoring damaged painted decorations and using materials like violet slate tiles from the Penrhyn quarry in Wales. A second phase, focusing on sculpted and painted elements, is now underway with strict safety measures in place.

Recent historical incident

In October 2026, an old visitor returned two fingers that had been stolen years earlier from the statue of the paladin Turpin. Sculptor Grégoire Teil reattached the fingers, though two others remain missing. This event highlights the castle's ongoing history of reconstruction and evolution.