Upper France

The capital of Northern France Lille borders Belgium. A former merchant city, Lille was founded in the middle of the seventh century. Lille was in turn under Flemish, Burgundian, and Spanish before becoming French in 1667 during the conquest of the city by Louis XIV. 

The old town, with its pleasant pedestrian streets and lofty bell towers, is a particularly nice place to take a stroll. You will find many beautiful baroque buildings with gracefully gabled roofs and chic 19th-century mansions. The Museum of Fine Arts in Lille is the second most important art museum in France after the Louvre in Paris. The museum’s collections include masterpieces of European painting, antiques, and sculptures.

Another city in Northern France - Amiens offers a fascinating glimpse into Jules Verne’s life, where the writer was inspired by its architecture. Fans of the writer can visit the Maison à la Tour Museum. The museum is located in the writer's house, where he lived for almost two decades at the end of the 19th century. Follow in his footsteps and explore the main landmarks. One of the most impressive and unmissable landmarks of Amiens is the 13th-century Notre-Dame Cathedral, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage List. The Saint-Leu quarter around the Cathedral is a canal area with traditional houses and lively cafes located along the canals.

History buffs will learn a lot about rescue Operation Dynamo in the Second World War, in late May 1940. Dunkirk means "church of the dunes" in translation. It became world-famous for the heroic evacuation of Allied forces. Dunkirk is now a place with historic beaches, shops, and plenty of places to sample local food, which is an interesting mix of traditional Flemish cuisine and seafood.

Pierrefonds Castle is located in Picardy, 75 km from Paris. It was built on the remains of a fortress of the XII century, once owned by the Pierrefond family of Chierzy. At the end of the XII century, this fortress became the property of the king. Charles VI in 1392 presented the estate to his brother — Duke Louis of Orléans.

By that time, only underground premises remained from the old fortress. Louis decided to build a new type of castle — powerful, grandiose, luxurious. Reconstruction began in 1396. Construction continued more than a decade. In 1407, the Duke of Orléans was killed, and Pierrefonds was completed under the new owner. The castle survived several wars. It was repeatedly attacked but withstood all sieges and enemy raids with honour. Cardinal Richelieu in 1617 managed to capture, but not destroy it — only the external fortifications and roofs of Pierrefonds were damaged. For more than two centuries, the ruined castle remained in ruins. And only in 1858, on the instructions of Napoleon III, the reconstruction of the castle began, which lasted 26 years. In 1885, due to lack of funds, the reconstruction was stopped, and the interior design of the castle was not completed.

Currently, ten rooms and an underground Giants Hall are available for visits. Within the walls of the castle there is the Museum of Fortification, an exhibition of carved wood products belonging to the hand of Viola le Duc, and a collection of figured metal products of the Monduit dynasty. Moreover, the Montduit collection is not copies, but duplicates of authentic exhibits. In Pierrefonds, the following films were shot: " On Guard», «The Visitors» and «Iron Mask».

Set against the picturesque backdrop of the French countryside, this unique gathering, taking place on a tranquil Sunday afternoon, is a celebration that seamlessly weaves together the realms of the motorcar industry, gastronomy, art, and luxury.

Attracting over 16,000 visitors in its last staging, the event features three prestigious automobile contests, two exhilarating rallies, and a diverse range of activities catering to enthusiasts of all ages. The magic lies in the harmonious convergence of luxury and leisure, where automotive excellence meets the pleasures of gastronomy, art appreciation, and the refined lifestyle synonymous with the French way of life.

As the day unfolds, guests are treated to a lavish garden party within the historic Le Nôtre gardens of the Chantilly Château, adding an extra layer of grandeur to an already spectacular event. Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille stands as the epitome of a perfect Sunday outing, a rendezvous where the beauty of the countryside meets the sophistication of a premium event. Join us in experiencing a day filled with automotive marvels, culinary delights, artistic inspiration, and the sheer pleasure of indulging in the refined ambiance of Chantilly.