Trail du Château de Pierrefonds

Feeling like a run through the corridors of time ? Then this trail is for you! Come immerse yourself in our history at the Pierrefonds Castle, on the doorstep of Paris. This historic fortress, used as a filming location for certain scenes The Visitors, located in the Oise in the Hauts-de-France region welcomes you every January. Hauts-de-France? January? Yes, you got it—it will be cold, so bring a hat and gloves 🧣, but it’s totally worth it! Two races of 13 km and 27 km are on the program and a walk is also organized.

It’s a guaranteed change of scenery with this trail between heritage and nature. If you’re a beginner don’t worry—the highest point of the race is only 146m. Come on, the start is given on the esplanade of the Pierrefonds Castle built in the 15th century, you’ll be able to admire its beautiful stones but don’t get too lost, it’s not the only edifice that will rise before you ⛪️! And yes, you’ll pass right after by the Saint-Sulpice Church (and no, not the torture, the race isn’t that hard 😅) from the 13th century. You’ll then follow the lake of Pierrefonds to reach at the end the Château de Jonval waiting for you. Take a deep breath of fresh air as you enter the Compiegne Forest where beech trees, oaks and other trees will form you a floral welcome 🌳. Being an old hunting ground for the lords, you’ll discover preserved fauna and flora. And here’s the finish in front of the Charles Quentin Institute in Pierrefonds, shaping the youth’s respect for the environment and tomorrow’s agriculture in an idyllic setting.

There’s more: the Pierrefonds trail offers a true bucolic setting with its wooded houses kept in character, its ponds like that of Vertefeuille and its many streams; among the best known are the Berne and the Planchettes. Fun fact: you can’t get lost during this race—the forest crossroads of the Compiegne Forest (and there are more than 350) have been given cute names like “Tête Saint-Jean intersection,” “Keeps’ intersection,” or “the Falconry junction”—pretty neat, right?

If you’re not full from all this history, take a stroll through the town of Compiegne. It will tell you its royal and imperial past. And if you’re very thirsty, go fill your water bottle accompanied by Godefroy near Montmirail ! ⚔️