In 2024, the Compiègne Castle welcomed 117,074 visitors, i.e. increase more than 15% compared to 2023 (101,656 visitors). “These positive figures reward the work of the castle teams,” declares the director Rodolphe Rapetti. This is a great encouragement to start the year 2025, which promises to be even more lively than the previous one.”
This progression is a continuation of a regular increase in annual attendance since 2018 (85,627 visitors that year). The castle has seen an increase in attendance of nearly 37% in six years, after the difficult context of the Covid crisis period.
The castle park will also be equipped with a new computerized counting system in spring 2024. From this data, the estimated number of visitors to the castle gardens for the whole of 2024 is 266,854 visitors. “Which confirms the attraction of visitors and Compiégnois for this place, once again labeled “Remarkable Garden”,” rejoices Rodolphe Rapetti.
Create a surprise for the visitor
“Permanent entertainment through a renewed cultural program allows each visitor to become familiar with the life and history of the castle,” indicates Rodolphe Rapetti. Guided tours, narrated tours and drawing and sculpture classes give everyone the opportunity to understand the prestigious past of our establishment, thanks to quality cultural mediation workshops. With each visit, the public must see something new.”
Between exhibitions and events, the Château de Compiègne tries to offer new events, such as the reopening of rooms. Like the room of the Baptism of the Prince Imperial in the fall, or the Coypel rooms, which will reopen in 2025. The exceptional presentations will be renewed in the future, such as that of the lunar rover from the Venturi company in the Colonnes gallery .
Develop partnerships
THE Compiègne castle has other strings to its bow to increase its attendance.
In 2025, the castle plans to expand its offering for businesses. Several projects will see the light of day, such as the development of a privileged visit offer for company employees and/or customers. The castle will develop the reception space rental offer for corporate events and seminars. “As well as offers to audiovisual production companies for the filming of films and series in historic locations,” indicates the director.
A new annual pass
To allow the most loyal visitors to enjoy the castle all year round, a new Annual Pass is available. It allows, via a subscription, to freely visit the castle and its museums all year round. By benefiting from reduced rates for all adult events and workshops. As well as discounts at partner sites and museums. The individual subscription costs €30 per year and the Duo subscription (with a companion of their choice) costs €45 per year.
The start of the year promises to be “particularly rich” at the Château de Compiègne. The new Itineraries of Love theatrical journey will be offered for Valentine’s Day on February 14 and 15. The Spring 2025 concerts return on April 18 and 19.
New collections in 2024
These 117,074 visitors visited the museums and attended the various events organized at the castle. Like the major exhibition dedicated to Proposing Mérimée. “While associating various events with the exhibition,” notes Rodolphe Rapetti. Like the Francis Huster reading show or the conference bringing together the greatest specialists of this author.”
The director of the Museums and National Estates of the castles of Compiègne and Blérancourt recalls the exhibitions of objects taken out of the reserves. “They allowed the public to admire the collection of restored sleds from the National Car Museum in the Bal gallery,” says Rodolphe Rapetti. And to see again in the Guards room, after twenty-five years of absence, the works of Charles Coypel dedicated to the story of Don Quixote. These two exhibitions took place as part of the “Unknown Treasures” cycle.
Constant development of events
In addition to Museum Night, Rendez-vous aux jardins and European Heritage Days, the castle continued to develop its events offering. By creating new events such as the show “Francis Huster reads Prosper Mérimée”. Or the nocturnal ones which allowed us to discover hidden spaces of the castle using a flashlight at the end of October.
The cycle of classical music concerts, each season during a weekend, has made it possible to conquer a new audience.
