FRANCE: Chateau de Fontainebleau

Château de Fontainebleau was originally a medieval hunting lodge in the 12th century.

But over 800 years it became home to 34 kings, queens and emperors including Louis XIV, Napoleon I, and Napoleon III.

The transformation from a hunting lodge to a regal home began in the 1500's with continuous additions and renovations over the centuries with different rulers.

Unlike Versailles, which became the primary seat of power, Fontainebleau retained its function as a “country retreat” in the countryside away from it all.

It is about 55 kilometers (34 miles) southeast of Paris.  

Bonus: It is much quieter than Versailles without the hordes of tourists.

It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

 

The château is huge with over 1,500 rooms. 

With all the additions made over time and through different rulers it evolved to become a blend of medieval, Renaissance and classical architectural styles.

The gated front entrance to the chateau welcomes guests.

There is an impressive horseshoe shaped double staircase that was added in 17th-century. When I look at it I imagine horse drawn carriages coming down the long "driveway" and elegantly dressed folks stepping out of their carriages to ascend up those stairs for a formal event. 

 

 

 

 Chateau Fontainebleau has its own chapel, Chapel of the Trinity. It has a lavishly decorated Baroque interior and it was used to host royal weddings and baptisms.

 For a former hunting lodge, I don't think they scrimped on their furnishings or decorations during the renovations. 

Look up at the ceilings. They are magnificent themselves. 

 

Everywhere the attention to details is amazing.   

When we were there musicians were practicing for a concert. It was such a magical setting. 

Napoleon loved the chateau. 

 

 

He also quite fancied himself and left his mark at Fontainebleau. 

 

The Throne Room was formerly the King's bedchamber, but, Napoleon I transformed it in 1808 placing his throne where the royal bed had previously stood.

 

 

Fontainebleau Palace's throne room is significant because it is the only remaining throne room in France that is still in its original place.  

 

In 1814 Napoleon Bonaparte signed his abdication at Fontainebleu. He also famously gave his emotional farewell to his Old Guard in the "Courtyard of the Farewell" (Cour des Adieux) before being exiled to Elba.

Outside the gardens are manicured French parterres, romantic English-style paths, peaceful ponds and even a canal. 

We didn’t get to see all 1,500 rooms, but, John and I were so surprised when we realized that we had spent the better part of a day happily exploring the parts of the Chateau that were open.

And the BONUS - no throngs of annoying tourists.