Fontainebleau

 Fontainebleau deserves its own missive.  If you've never been there then you should make the time to visit when you are in France.  It's a treat.  We visited maybe 12 years ago and were still amazed by the size, decor, history and sheer magnitude of the palace.  I realize that Fontainebleau isn't Versailles.  BUT, it will still take you hours to view all the furnished rooms and walk the grounds.  As part of the admission price you receive an audio guide.  It is immensely helpful as you try to grasp the magnitude of the furnishings and finishings of this chateau.

The first chateau dates back to 1137 but little has survived.  The chateau was rebuilt in 1528 by Francois 1.  In the 17th century Henry IV was another great builder of the chateau.  Under Louis XV in the 18th century more was added and parts were rebuilt.  In the 19th century during the revolution the chateau was emptied of its furniture but the building was spared.  Napoleon I made it into an imperial residence which he refurnished.  In the following years areas were destroyed, replaced, demolished, rebuilt and redone.

The palace is filled with royal and imperial symbolism and its walls are hung with exquisite tapestries.

Napoleon I described Fontainebleau as "The true home of kings, the house of ages."  It was inhabited almost continuously from the 12th century until the fall of Napoleon III in 1870.  Today it is an immense palace with many courtyards and gardens and its exceptional collections make it the most fully furnished of the French royal chateaux.  The chateau de Fontainebleau is one of the largest royal residences remaining in Europe, listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site.

Enough history for one day.  

Marty and Sara joined us in Montargis and Fontainebleau was our first field trip.

Please join us on our tour of Fontainebleau.

 I wasn't able to keep track of which room belonged to what period, designed by whom.  So many important people left their mark as they passed thru these doors.  The decor was busy, gaudy, and over the top by modern day standards.  Yet, it was and is spectacular!

Check out those walls.

Now get a load of the ceiling!  It was hard to know what to look at.  I found everything so overwhelming.

This is the Renaissance Hall of Francois I which dates from 1582.  This room inspired other royal galleries including the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles.

Every palace must have its own chapel.  This one is two stories.  We are on the upper floor here.  Notice the ceilings.

This is crown molding like I've never seen before.

It went all the way around the room.

The magnificent library which houses many volumes of books.  Each successive occupant added to the collection.

Bedroom, drawing room, sitting room, etc  Every square inch is covered.

As Tom would say "It's good to be the king."

From the gardens this is the back of the chateau.

A close up of the back of Versaille.

The French are serious about their butter.  Tom is pointing at the end of the butter section.