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The small town of Chantilly , 40km north of Paris, is closely associated with horses and racing. Some 3000 thoroughbreds prance the forest rides of a morning, and two of the season's classiest flat races are held here. Horses can also be seen at a museum in the stables of Chantilly's other main attraction, its elegant nineteenth-century chateau . Trains take about thirty minutes from Paris's Gare du Nord to Chantilly. Occasional free buses run from the station to the chateau, though it's an easy walk. Footpaths GR11 and 12 pass through the chateau park and its surrounding forest, offering a peaceful and leisurely way of exploring this bit of country. Moored in the park of the chateau is an aerophile , a hot-air balloon , which takes visitors up for short rides over the chateau every ten minutes (March-Oct daily weather permitting 10am-7pm; ?10.06, ?10.98 for the balloon and the chateau/museum). You can also take a 25-minute commentated boat trip all the way round the chateau and be dropped off at the entrance to the museum (March-Oct daily 10am-7pm; ?7.93, ?16.31 for the boat , the balloon and the chateau/museum). By the entrance-gate to the grounds of the chateau is a caravan selling the local delight, Chantilly cream . It's basically whipped, sugared cream and tastes delicious.
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