Administration

Compiègne is the seat of three cantons

Compiègne-Nord (with 5 communes) Compiègne-Sud-Est (southeast) (with 4 communes) Compiègne-Sud-Ouest (southwest) (with 5 communes)

History

Population 1882: 13,393 1990: 41,663 (municipal), 44,703 (total) 1999: 41,076 (municipal), 44,703 (total), 69,903 (agglomeration), urban (108,234)

Sights

View of Compiègne Museums Château de Compiègne - the castle itself, and museums of the Second French Empire and of motoring and tourism within its walls Musée Antoine Vivenel Museum of historic figurines Memorial of internment and deportation Compiègne Forest Main article: Compiègne Forest

The Glade of the Armistice in the Compiègne Forest was the site of the signing of two armistices; the 1918 Armistice with Germany and the 1940 Armistice with France. Hitler specifically chose the location, and had the original signing carriage moved from Paris to Compiègne, as an irony for the defeated French. The site still houses several memorials to the 1918 armistice, including a copy of the original railway carriage. The original, after use in the 1940 armistice was moved to Berlin as a trophy of Nazi triumph. The railway carriage was later taken to Crawinkel in Thuringia in 1945, where it was destroyed by SS troops and the remains buried. A replica now stands at the original site.

Education

Compiègne is home to the University of Technology of Compiègne (UTC), an engineering school founded in the mid-1970s to provide an alternative to the traditional "grandes écoles" for students interested in technical fields. The UTC has a strong international students program known as Esperanto, and hosts students from around the world.

Transport

The Gare de Compiègne railway station offers connections with Paris, Amiens, Cambrai and several regional destinations. The nearest motorway is the A1 Paris-Lille.

Cycling

Since 1968 Compiègne is the traditional start city of the famous Paris–Roubaix bicycle race. It was also the finish city of 3rd stage in the 2007 Tour de France.

Personalities

Compiègne was the birthplace of:

Roscellinus (~1050 - ~1122), philosopher and theologian, often regarded as the founder of Nominalism Pierre d'Ailly (1350–1420), theologian and cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church Albert Robida (1848–1926), illustrator, etcher, lithographer, caricaturist, and novelist Marcel Tabuteau (1887–1966), Oboist, regarded as the founder of American oboe playing. Suzanne Lenglen (1899–1938), tennis player, international female sport star