Marie Antoinette's

The foggy history of the Château de Chantilly only clears up after the 10th century AD, where it passed through a succession of owners, including the Grand Constable of Montmorency, whom added to the estate by purchasing lands around it. Louis XIII took particular interest in the estate, spending much time there and it was only until 1643 when Queen Anne of Austria gave the estate back to the Marguerite de Montmorency and her husband the Prince of Condé.

Chambre of the duchesse, Chantilly, Domaine de Chantilly. http://www.chateaudechantilly.com/en/ (accessed October 11, 2013).

The estate underwent major improvements prompted by a race to keep up with Louis XIV's building projects at Versailles, and later during the French Revolution the historical and valuable contents of the ages old chateau were removed  (the library was confiscated) and other items were sold in a large auction in 1793.

Gallery of Paintings, Chantilly. Domaine de Chantilly. http://www.chateaudechantilly.com/en/ (accessed October 11, 2013).

While exiled, the then current Prince of Condé purchased art, books, and furniture.  Eighteen years later the Prince of Condé returned to France and attempted to have the items that were removed returned. He was somewhat successful in securing some of the original art and items that filled the house, but he had to supplement them with the collections he had been building on his own.

Princes Chambers, Chantilly. "Domaine de Chantilly." Domaine de Chantilly. http://www.chateaudechantilly.com/en/ (accessed October 11, 2013).

Because of his diligence in collecting and gifts during this period, the Museum Condé at Chantilly boasts over 1000 paintings, 2500 drawings, 2500 engravings and 1500 manuscripts, not to mention the large and important library.  The collection includes sculpture and decorative arts, and is housed in the castle's galleries and rooms.

Pol de Limbourg and finished by Jean Colombe, Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry (Très Riches Heures), folio 7 v.; July: Castle Poitiers, which the Duke rebuilt; sheep-shearing and harvesting. illuminated manuscript, 1409-1479. Musée Condé.

Botticelli, Autumn. Musée Condé.

Raphael, Three Graces. Oil on panel, 1502-1503. Musée Condé.

Jean Fouquet, Hours of Étienne Chevalier; Adoration of the Magi. Manuscript illumination, 1445. Musée Condé.

Piero di Cosimo, Portrait of a Woman, perhas Simonetta Vespucci. Distemper on wood, 1480. Musée Condé.

Jean Decourt, Henri III before his accession, or his younger brother the Duke d'Alençon. Painting on wood, 16th century. Musée Condé.

For another gorgeous image of the inside of Château de Chantilly, check out Abby's photo of the week, at Nooks, Towers and Turrets!