Fontainebleau Castle - how to get there from Paris, France. Fontainebleau Castle - royal luxury near Paris

Address: France, city of Fontainebleau, district of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, rue Las Cases, 23
Start of construction: 1527
Builders: Francesco Primaticcio, Rosso Fiorentino, Nicolo dell'Abate
Main attractions: gallery of Francis I, horseshoe staircase, throne room, library, ballroom, boudoir of Marie Antoinette, gardens, red salon, etc.
Coordinates: 48°24′14″N,2°42′8″E

When going on a trip to France, it is impossible not to include the Fontainebleau Palace, which is one of the most stunningly beautiful and largest royal palaces in the country, in the list of historical and architectural monuments that you would like to see with your own eyes.

This amazing palace with a thousand-year history boasts not only significant events for the whole of France that took place within its walls, but also dazzling interior decoration and unique external architecture that made the palace famous throughout the world. The luxurious Fontainebleau Palace has undergone reconstruction, expansion and restoration more than once during its long history.

Bird's eye view of Fontainebleau Palace

This is not at all surprising, because the place where the palace is located amazes with its wonderful nature, which even the monarchs who ruled France at various times could not ignore.

There are numerous legends according to which the rulers of the country were attracted to this area like a magnet, and, imbued with the atmosphere of which, the French monarchs became even more powerful. Although there are other legends, darker and more mysterious, that say that there were some otherworldly forces in the palace that helped the kings in solving important state issues. Are they present in the palace now and do they influence their visitors in any way? An intriguing question, however, this legend does not yet have confirmed facts.

View of the Fontainebleau Palace from the park

But the Fontainebleau Palace attracts the attention of hundreds of thousands of tourists not so much with mysterious myths and legends, but with its interesting history associated with court life, intrigue, the birth and death of monarchs. The decision of the architects who worked on the majestic building, made in the Renaissance style, is also interesting, as is its rich interior decoration, which is no longer possible to find in any of the existing palaces.

The Fontainebleau Palace is located 50 kilometers from the capital of France, on its southeastern side. The residence of many French kings, made in the Italian mannerism style, is compared by many travelers to crystal wine glasses of different heights and shapes. There are small, squat outbuildings, graceful tall turrets, and wide but elegant outbuildings.

Western façade of the Fontainebleau Palace

However, the intricate architecture also has a very light, one might even say flirtatious name, Fontainebleau, which literally translates from French as “beautiful fountain”, and originates from the name of a spring located nearby. It is worth noting that local residents prefer to be called only “Bellifontaines”. This spring went down in history forever thanks to the French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, who every morning, drinking a glass of water from this spring, drew strength from it.

Palace of Fontainebleau - history

Since ancient times, forests rich in game and all kinds of living creatures attracted the attention of kings who wanted to show their skills in hunting.

Horseshoe ladder

The forests of Fontainebleau were no exception. The first ruler who decided to build a country residence here for himself was King Louis VII, nicknamed the Young, who led the country in the early 1100s. Initially, the residence, for the most part, resembled a medieval fortress, which, however, was typical of that time. But already in the 1500s, namely in 1515, the French king Francis I of the Valois dynasty, who ascended the throne, decided to make the fortress a real palace, which, in fact, was supposed to correspond to the power and undeniable authority of the ruler.

To build the palace, he invites famous Italian masters who worked in the style of mannerism (including Benvenuto Cillini, Primaticcio), thereby demonstrating his desire to dominate throughout Europe.

The symbol of the Fontainebleau Palace is a horseshoe-shaped staircase

Leaving only one tower from the fortress, under the leadership of Francis I and with the help of world-famous architects, sculptors, masters of painting, a new building was erected, which later became a symbol of the Renaissance in the northern part of the Old World. It should be noted that it was from this time that the first school of Fontainebleau was born, which trained more than one generation of world-famous masters. It is also worth saying that the Fontainebleau Palace, unlike its predecessor, was devoid of any defensive fortifications, which in turn served as an example for European monarchs who wanted to build similar splendor in their homeland. By and large, Francis I, like his father, was a great diplomat and had practically no enemies from whom he would need to defend himself in a fortification.

View of the Fontainebleau Palace from the park

The death of the monarch did not cause the destruction of the palace. It was inherited by his son Henry II of Valois and his wife Catherine de Medici, who continued its construction and interior decoration. Thus, Henry II, known for his love affairs, after the final work on the decoration of the Ballroom under the guidance of the masters Primaticcio and Abatto, dedicated it to his favorite, Diane de Poitiers. The husband's love affair remained a secret for the queen, but Henry II nevertheless perpetuated the memory of his beloved by ordering the hall to be decorated with her initials. The ballroom is richly decorated with monograms, which, of course, emphasizes the boundless love of Henry II for Diane de Poitiers. Although, whose initials were hidden behind these monograms, only those initiated into the secret relationship between the king and his favorite knew. Catherine de Medici, naive even in those days, thought quite differently, thinking that the rich interior of the room was made in honor of her.

Architectural ensemble of the Fontainebleau Palace

The magnificent hall, which some guides also call a gallery, is made by craftsmen of such high quality and richness that it seems as if everything around is glowing with gold. However, this splendor is created thanks to the large window openings through which the sun's rays penetrate, filling the hall with “natural gold”. In addition, the walls, ledges and niches are decorated with amazingly beautiful frescoes, which, for the most part, depict the goddess of the hunt - Diana, thereby Henry II again emphasized his reverent attitude towards the beautiful favorite.

After the death of Henry II in 1559, and then his son Henry III (the last of the Valois dynasty), in 1584, and with the beginning of religious persecution, the palace was abandoned for a decade.

Oval Court and Dauphin Gate

Only in 1595, when Henry IV of the Bourbon dynasty came to power, the palace again became the residence of monarchs. At the same time, a global restoration of the Fontainebleau Palace took place with the involvement of French and Flemish masters, who became the founders of the so-called second school of Fontainebleau. The painting, which can still be seen in the palace today, is an example of the transition of the Renaissance to the newfangled Baroque style in Europe, also called mannerism. By the way, it was at this time and by order of Henry IV that a water canal was dug towards the palace, which was subsequently filled with valuable fish species. It is worth noting that Henry IV, unlike his ancestors, was a lover of not only hunting, but also fishing. By the way, the fish he caught in an artificial pond was always served on the royal table.

Palace of Fontainebleau view from the pond

The Fontainebleau Palace was renovated more than once under its subsequent owners: Louis XIII and his wife Anna of Austria, who adored the palace, left their mark on the architecture of the building; By order of Louis XIV, known from history as the “Sun King,” some construction work was also carried out. However, Louis XIV, conquered by the palace of the Marquis Nicolas Fouquet Vaux-le-Vicomte, begins construction of a new palace (known as Versailles), while completely abandoning the Fontainebleau Palace.

Palace of Fontainebleau - a new story

At one time, Louis XV and Louis XVI also lived in the palace, but the Fontainebleau Palace truly “shine” only when Napoleon I Bonaparte came to power, who sincerely loved this luxurious country residence and made every effort to ensure that Fontainebleau again filled with brilliance, chic, glory and grandeur.

Gallery of Francis I

The flourishing of the palace continued until Napoleon signed his abdication under pressure. A few days after the loss of power, Napoleon Bonaparte, saying goodbye to his loyal army, walked along the square in front of the palace for the last time. According to historical facts, the soldiers, seeing off their emperor, could not hold back their tears. Subsequently, the cobblestone square was named “The Courtyard of Farewells” in honor of this event.

Today, a modern traveler, finding himself in the Fontainebleau Palace, can visit the so-called halls of the era of Napoleon I, including: the Throne Room, the Emperor’s Bedroom, Napoleon’s Study, as well as the famous “Red Salon”, in which the signing of the abdication of the throne.

Throne room, Napoleon's throne

In 1852, Napoleon III came to power, who was also not indifferent to the fate of the Fontainebleau Palace, and who sincerely enjoyed spending time within its walls. But very soon, in 1870, the French Empire was replaced by the French Republic, and therefore the Fontainebleau Palace was abandoned, looted and completely abandoned.

Palace of Fontainebleau - today

The Fontainebleau Palace was remembered only in the middle of the twentieth century, and already in 1981, the UNESCO Association in France turned its attention to the majestic monument of architecture and history, and included it in the World Heritage List.

Currently, every guest of the Fontainebleau Palace can see with their own eyes the luxurious decoration of numerous rooms, made in various styles; paintings by famous artists; various objects of art, furniture made of precious wood and inlaid with natural stones.

The luxurious Fontainebleau castle was originally planned as a small hunting lodge in the forest. The year of construction is considered to be 1137, when the Duke and then the King of the Franks, Hugo Capet, chose a beautiful place near the Fontaine belle eau stream for his future home. It was from this phrase that the name of the palace subsequently came about.

A whole century later, the secluded position of the castle, located outside, was appreciated by the hermit king Louis IX. He lived in it for a long time, calling the house his cell, although this place had little resemblance to a monastic home. It was under Louis IX that the first major reconstruction took place here, with several new buildings and towers appearing. One of them is still called by the name of this monarch.

Over the next 3 centuries, Fontainebleau did not change significantly - it, as before, was used mostly for hunting. The next round of development occurred only during the time of Francis I in the 16th century, when instead of a modest dwelling it was decided to build a real palace in the Renaissance style - which is what tourists see today.

But, of course, the following monarchs also had a hand in the design of the castle. Henry II expanded it, entrusting the construction to the famous Renaissance architect Delorme. Under Henry IV, several beautiful parks and the Chapel of the Holy Trinity appeared - a richly decorated temple with frescoes of the Last Judgment. And thanks to Louis III, the famous horseshoe staircase was built, where many years later Napoleon said goodbye to the army. And Bonaparte himself did a lot for this palace - he declared it his residence and decorated the front doors with appropriate luxury.

Already in the 20th century, Fontainebleau became famous for hosting a historic summit with the participation of presidents of 6 countries, which resulted in the formation of the European Council. Today, the luxurious castle still plays an important role in politics, but at the same time it is a museum - in 1981 it was taken under the protection of UNESCO.

How to get to Fontainebleau Palace

One of the most famous castle museums in France is located about 60 kilometers from Paris. Near it is a town of the same name with an area of ​​172 sq. km and a population of just over 15,000 people.

The exact address: 77300 Fontainebleau, France.

How to get there from Paris:

Option 1

Train: At the Lyon station (Gare de Lyon) you need to buy a ticket for a regional train in the directions Montargis Sens, Laroche-Migennes or Montereau from one of the brown machines. Trains leave from the underground floor of the station. It takes about 45 minutes to get to Fontainebleau-Avon station.

Bus: at the Fontainebleau-Avon station, follow the signs to find the bus stop and take bus number 1, go 15-20 minutes to the Château stop.

Option 2

Automobile: Fontainebleau can be reached via the A6 or N104 highway. There is paid parking near the castle museum, but it is free on Sundays.

Palace of Fontainebleau on the map

What to see

The Fontainebleau Palace, which appeared much earlier, over the years of its existence has acquired a mass of historical monuments, each of which is associated with a particular period in the life of the country. It is almost impossible to list all its attractions, and there is no need - you need to look at it. Let's focus on the most interesting and iconic places.

The most interesting things in Fontainebleau:

• - the king, after whom this truly French Renaissance gallery is named, collected one of the first and richest collections of paintings in Europe. Many frescoes from it still adorn these walls, although the pearl of the collection, the Mona Lisa by the brilliant Leonardo, moved to Versailles under Louis XIV, and later to the Louvre.

Gallery of Francis I - engraving

• - a truly royal chapel with rich interior decoration. Carved panels, gilding and intricate patterns delight at first glance, but the main value here is the frescoes. The paintings by masters of the Mannerist era, which decorate the entire chapel, are dedicated to religious subjects, mainly scenes of the Last Judgment.

• Horseshoe ladder- an original horseshoe-shaped staircase, nothing special at first glance, except for its history. It became famous because at this place Napoleon Bonaparte said goodbye to the officers loyal to him on the eve of his abdication and exile.

• Napoleon Museum- personal apartments of one of the most famous French emperors. This includes the bedroom, study, Throne Room and other rooms, including Diana's Gallery, where the commander liked to meditate on maps for a long time. By the way, in the gallery today you can see Napoleon’s personal globe, as well as his other things.

• Ballroom- one of the most luxurious and majestic rooms in the royal chambers. However, its interiors may be of interest not only for their beautiful decoration: in the intricate patterns and monograms, attentive visitors will notice the initials of Henry II and his beloved Diane de Poitiers.

The castle also has the Chinese Empress Museum, the Red Salon, where Napoleon resigned, the Furniture Gallery with a collection of interior items from the 18th and 19th centuries, the Papal Apartments, the Diana Gallery and the Deer Gallery.

However, the Fontainebleau Palace is interesting not only inside, but also outside - you can spend as much time in its parks as in the state rooms. Thus, in the English Garden there is a large artificial rock with a grotto and a mass of rare tropical plants; the Grand Parterre has retained its original layout - just like in the 17th century, it is divided into geometrically regular shapes with smooth paths and neat alleys. And the complete opposite is Diana’s Garden - albeit very small, but in places it looks like a real forest. By the way, you can also find a statue of that same goddess of hunting in it. In total, the length of all the paths in the Fontainebleau parks is about 300 kilometers - it is not surprising that the French themselves love to come here from Paris on weekends to relax in the shade of the green alleys.

Opening hours and ticket prices

Fontainebleau Castle is open every day except Tuesdays:

• From October to March - from 09:30 to 17:00;
• From April to September - from 09:30 to 18:00.

Parks and gardens are open seven days a week:

• From November to February - from 09:00 to 17:00;
• In March, April and October - from 09:00 to 18:00;
• From May to September - from 09:00 to 19:00.

In case of bad weather, part of the territory may be closed to visitors.

Ticket price:

• Adult ticket - 12 € ( ~898 rub. );
• Discount ticket (up to 25 years old) - 10 € ( ~749 rub. );
• For groups of 20 people - 10 € ( ~749 rub. ).

Children under 18 years of age, as well as persons under 25 years of age living in the European Union, can enter for free.

It is better to check the latest information before visiting.

Important: every month except July and August, the first Sunday is a free day to visit Fontainebleau.

Excursions

The castle museum has a lot of thematic excursions for both individual visitors and groups. Most last 1.5 hours, although there are also short 45-minute tours.

The cost of a thematic excursion for a group of 10 people can be 190-260 € ( ~19,464 rub. )(for the whole group). Additionally, each participant pays entrance to the castle museum.

For a tour of the royal apartments there is an audio guide in Russian costing 3 € ( ~225 rub. ). Also, if you prefer to explore Fontainebleau on your own, you can pick up a Russian-language brochure about the main attractions at the registration table.

Visiting rules

• The ticket is valid for a whole year after its purchase, and on the day of the visit it allows you to leave the castle grounds several times and return again.
• An hour before the end of the working day, some halls close, so late visitors are offered a special ticket at a reduced price (only for those halls that are open at this time).
• Photography is allowed in the palace and in the surrounding parks with virtually no restrictions.

• Fontainebleau, like any ancient castle, has its ghosts. There is a special legend about one of them - the Red Ghost appears exclusively to kings and only before their death.
• The White Horse Courtyard is named after the unfinished sculpture of Henry II. It was originally planned to install an equestrian statue of the monarch, but it never came into being. For some time, in the center of the Lower Court there was a plaster cast of a horse, which gradually fell into disrepair. The cast was removed, but the name remained. Although after Napoleon Bonaparte made a farewell speech here before his abdication, the place began to be called the Court of Farewell.
• Fontainebleau was the first European castle built solely for decorative and residential purposes - it was never intended for defense and does not contain any military fortifications.

• The Great Porter Garden and the English Park can be explored on a special excursion in a carriage drawn by a pair of horses or in an open carriage of a tourist train.
• By reservation, you can take a hot air balloon ride and see the castle and its gardens from above.
• On a hot day, you can relax by the pond opposite the Fountain Yard or go boating. There is also a Grand Canal in the park, more than 1 kilometer long and almost 40 meters wide.
• If you go to Fontainebleau for the whole day, be sure to bring a picnic with you - you are allowed to sit on the grass in the park (you are not allowed to light fires). It is also worth taking a separate baguette for ducks, swans and carps that live in ponds.
• A full excursion and walk through the park area will take a lot of time; take care of comfortable shoes and a sun hat.

Virtual tour

Palace of Fontainebleau on video

Fontainebleau Castle is often compared to Versailles, another famous symbol of France. According to reviews from tourists, in terms of architecture and interior decoration, these two attractions may well compete with each other. However, in Versailles you will not find the calm and secluded atmosphere that can be found in the parks and gardens of one of the oldest royal residences. It’s worth coming here for the whole day to walk around, enjoy the spirit of history and not be in a rush.

Fifty kilometers south of Paris is one of the World Heritage Sites, under the special protection of UNESCO. Beautiful Palace of Fontainebleau- a most valuable architectural monument, the construction of which began during the time of the French ruler Francis I on the territory of the richest royal hunting grounds and continued for centuries. Many successor kings completed and improved the architectural masterpiece, and even Napoleon III, who was born three hundred years after the first stone of the royal residence was laid, had a hand in the construction of the new palace theater. This centuries-long construction could not but affect the current appearance of the palace and its worldwide historical and architectural value. The change of eras is reflected in the variety of architectural styles in which various parts of the palace are made: Renaissance and the First School of Fontainebleau, Mannerism and the Second School of Fontainebleau, and of course the magnificent Empire style. It was not for nothing that Stendhal called this castle an “architectural encyclopedia”, and Napoleon called it the “House of Ages”.

Today, the Fontainebleau Palace is a national treasure of France, a state museum and simply a favorite place for a relaxing holiday for the French and foreign tourists. And there really is something to see here! The Golden Gate, the Royal Room, the Gallery of Francis I, the Chapel of the Holy Trinity, the Throne and Ballrooms, the Napoleon III Theater, the royal library, the Diana Gallery, magnificent gardens with ponds are just a small list of attractions of the Fontainebleau palace complex.

The Gallery of Francis I is a true architectural masterpiece created in the Renaissance style. The many frescoes on the walls are truly works of art and sit comfortably alongside inlaid decorative panels made of polished wood. The central place in the Gallery of Francis I is occupied by a rich collection of paintings. During his reign, it was the first art collection in Europe, and a special place in it was given to the mysterious painting “Mona Lisa” by Leonardo da Vinci. The gallery is an example of the First School of Fontainebleau, as a fresh Italian movement in Renaissance painting. The Gallery of Francis I combines the royal chambers with the Chapel of the Holy Trinity.

The triumphal Golden Gate opens access to the royal chambers and the fireplace hall. In the royal bedrooms and inner chambers of the emperor, expensive furniture, unique paintings and gilding, frescoes and stucco on the walls, Lyon silk in the decoration - everything speaks of luxury and grandeur.

The Ballroom is located in the same wing. The decoration of the Ballroom was carried out already under Henry II and Catherine de Medici, but it is no less luxurious and majestic. The initials that can be seen on the ceiling and in various elements of the decoration of the hall carry the love secret of Henry II to his favorite Diane de Poitiers.

An excellent example of the style of the Second School of Fontainebleau is the Chapel of the Holy Trinity. The theme of the Last Judgment runs through the whole idea of ​​church style. In all works of art, of which the chapel houses a huge variety, one can feel the hand of true masters of mannerism. Everywhere in the church, as in the entire palace, there is an original decoration with frescoes and wooden panels with royal ornaments.

Reign of Napoleon

Under Napoleon Bonaparte, the palace changed its appearance significantly. The spirit of the Napoleonic era is preserved in many rooms of the palace: the Throne Room (former royal bedroom), Diana's Gallery, the emperor's office and private chambers, the Red Salon, where in 1814 Napoleon officially abdicated the throne. Rich textile decoration, many columns, stucco moldings and sculptural compositions - everything speaks of a bright Empire style.

The famous horseshoe-shaped staircase in the White Horse Courtyard, later called the “Farewell Courtyard,” has also been preserved to this day, since it was here that the abdicated emperor once said goodbye to his loyal army.

In the palace you can also visit the Napoleon Museum, which houses the emperor’s personal and memorabilia.

The Fontainebleau Palace is famous not only for its architecture and interior decoration. The surrounding royal park is also magnificent with numerous fountains, ponds and a beautiful lake. The park complex includes the English Garden, the Grotto of the Pine Grove, the Grand Parterre, the Garden of Diana created in honor of the goddess of the hunt and decorating it with a magnificent fountain, numerous flower beds laid out in the Versailles style.

Peacocks walk around the park, not at all afraid of the huge number of people. There are especially many visitors to the park on weekends, when the French come here with families to have a picnic and take a break from the suffocating atmosphere of big cities. Tourists also don’t mind sitting on the lawns and enjoying the picturesque scenery and breathing in the fresh air.

As one French historian said: “Whether I am deeply unhappy and seek solace in nature, or whether I am happy beyond measure, I will still go to Fontainebleau.”

Address: Address: 77300 Fontainebleau, France.
How to get there: from Gare de Lyon train station to Fontainebleau-Avon train station
(trains run every hour, travel time is 45 minutes), then from the station by bus to the castle.
Opening hours: June-September from 9:30 to 18:00, the rest of the year from 9:30 to 17:00, the museum is closed on Tuesdays.
Cost of visiting: adults - 6.30 EUR, children under 18 years old - free;
You can buy at the SNCF railway ticket office a single ticket for the train, bus and palace for 23 EUR for adults and
for 16.70 EUR for children from 10 to 17 years old.

Like stars in the sky, France is dotted with castles: large and small, pompous and modest, famous and forgotten. All of them are silent witnesses to the turbulent events of the country, remembering bloody wars, crusades, magnificent balls, fearless knights, beautiful ladies, and, of course, palace intrigues. And yet, the castle of Fontainebleau, called by Napoleon “the true abode of kings, the haven of centuries,” is of particular interest. Carefully preserving the traces of the 700-year history of the reign of the royal dynasty, it magnetically attracts countless number of tourists.

Palace of Fontainebleau - residence of 34 kings

Where it all started

The best entertainment of autocrats has always been hunting. Therefore, it is not surprising that they were attracted to a small village with a forest in the countryside, where there were wild boars, deer, foxes, pheasants and other game. In the 12th century. Louis VII intended to build a hunting lodge there. According to legend, while hunting in these parts, the sovereign lost his bearings. Exhausted and tired, he was very thirsty. A faithful dog named Blo accidentally found a life-giving spring that saved his owner from thirst. The incident accelerated the implementation of the plan. The name of the estate itself arose from the merger of two words “Fontaine” - source and the dog’s name “bleau”. The four-legged friend was immortalized in a statue installed in the hallway. They say to keep Lady Luck alive, you need to scratch your dog behind the ear.
Louis IX, considered wise and pious, finding great pleasure in solitude, decided to expand his beloved Fontainebleau, calling it a monastic desert, after which the fates of the following rulers were connected with the wonderful estate, which was passed on by inheritance. Three of them were born here, their childhood passed carefree within these walls, holidays were celebrated, and as they grew up, they ascended the throne. Everyone there changed something, added something, improved it, trying to arrange life in their own way.
The most significant changes took place under Francis I, who arrived here in 1528. Having lost the battle of Pavia with the Spaniards, trying to find an outlet for something, he began rebuilding the estate, which had fallen into disrepair, dreaming of turning it into a country residence. Having gathered specialists from various fields, he set to work with enthusiasm. The project was developed by architects Lebreton, Chambizh, Gerard. Wonderful halls, a chapel, multiple outbuildings surrounding the courtyard, and new gates were added. A small part of the previous building has been preserved.
In the huge collection of ancient manuscripts, sculptures, and paintings, the main place was occupied by Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa. The crown bearer invited the creator to be a court artist, but he refused due to the meager remuneration. The decorative decoration of the premises was entrusted to the famous Francesco Primaticcio and the no less popular Rosso Fiorentino, who founded the French school of painting. As a result of painstaking work, a marvelous palace rose among the gardens and enchanting parks, which was the unique cradle of the Renaissance.
The idea started after the death of his father was continued by Henry II, who became interested in updating the interior. Subsequent successors did not have a great passion for the castle. Henry IV received the house in an abandoned state. In honor of his son’s baptism, he designed the entrance on the eastern side, built the Dauphin’s Gate, and carried out a complete restoration of the grandiose structure.
With his death everything fell into disrepair. Louis XIII, who was born here, did not pay due attention, and the Sun King was completely absorbed in the construction of Versailles, although he visited his parents’ monastery, where his youthful passion for the charming Louise de La Vallière flared up. Louis XIV most of all inherited from his ancestors an ardent passion for hunting. Only a serious injury from a fall from a horse, which had serious consequences, caused him to give up riding, but not his favorite pastime. The overlord continued to hunt even while sitting in the carriage. When he passed away into eternity, the family nest became orphaned again.
The revival came during the Napoleonic era. Arriving there in 1804, he was shocked by the desolation of the once luxurious mansion, and immediately began restoration. The transformation took place at a rapid pace, and soon a second wind was given to the royal apartments, which became a symbol of his greatness. It was here in 1804 that he was crowned by Pope Pius VII, who came especially for the ceremony. Bonaparte is the first monarch elevated to the status of emperor without royal blood flowing in his veins. And in 1812, the same pontiff became his prisoner for a year and a half during the conquest of the Vatican.
Here they spent happy years together with Josephine, the only woman he loved madly, but, unfortunately, was unable to provide an heir. Therefore, he made a difficult decision for himself to leave, explaining the breakup by the fact that the ruler is not allowed to think with his heart, a cold mind must dominate. In December 1809, the couple, having received a divorce certificate, separated; Josephine moved to Malmaison, a gift from her husband. Her place was taken by another empress, Maria Louise of Austria, who served only as a birthing machine. Having broken up with his beloved, he could not throw him out of his soul; he continued to write tender messages filled with love. The last word spoken before her death on St. Helena Island was her name.
Over seven centuries, the structure, similar to a mosaic assembled in different periods, was replaced by 34 rulers, leaving a noticeable and indelible mark on architecture. In 1981 it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The French authorities allocated 2 million 300 thousand euros for reconstruction. And now the flow of visitors there never stops. It's time to get to know him better.

Getting to know the Fontainebleau ensemble

Passing the gilded lattice gates with the emblems of Bonaparte and two figures of eagles on the sides, you will find yourself in the spacious courtyard of the White Horse, from where the majestic domain begins. The name was preserved in memory thanks to the plaster cast of the horse that stood here earlier. After the tragic death of her husband, Catherine de Medici asked Michelangelo to make a copy of the royal monument, a rider on a horse. The master commissioned Daniel de Volterra to complete the sculpture. The order was made and delivered, but without a rider. After a while, the stallion fell apart, because the cast is short-lived. The former courtyard was renamed “Farewell” after Bonaparte left for the island of Elba.
The vast territory (152 x 112 m) once hosted knightly tournaments and celebrated special events. Trees in tubs are placed along the entire perimeter, and in both directions of the central alley there are lawns with green, as if smoothed, grass and decorative bushes.
From the outside, the palace looks discreet and elegant, occupying an area of ​​46,000 m2, where there are 1,530 rooms. Perhaps to some it will seem the way Stendhal saw it: “like a literary encyclopedia, where there is everything, but nothing exciting.” The richness of the interior decoration completely compensates for the external simplicity. A semicircular horseshoe-shaped two-flight staircase leads to the building, from where in 1814 Napoleon delivered his farewell speech after abdicating power. These were the most difficult moments when I didn’t want to live, but the intention to commit suicide was not destined to come true.
On April 12, 1814, at dawn, the emperor, foreseeing a gloomy near future, locked himself in his own chambers, took out a bottle filled with poison, prepared at his request by his personal physician after unforeseen circumstances that occurred in the unsuccessful battle for Maloyaroslavets, when he almost fell into a trap . A year and a half has passed since then, but I have not been separated from the bottle. Without thinking for a long time, he swallowed the contents of the bottle. His follower, the Marquis de Caulaincourt, suspecting something was wrong, sounded the alarm, but the commander flatly refused to take the antidote. The poisonous substance, obviously, having run out of steam, had no effect.
On the 20th of the same month, the guards were ordered to line up at the main entrance. 1200 soldiers froze in mournful silence. When the chimes struck 13:00, the palace entrance door suddenly opened and the now former autocrat came out. As he approached, he addressed the soldiers: “I am forced to leave, and you continue to serve France faithfully and truly, without worrying about my fate.” The always confident voice trembled. Approaching the banner, he touched the shrine with his lips, hid his face there, hiding a stingy man’s tear.

Trinity Chapel

Small in size, but quite beautiful, it is located to the left of the staircase. The vault depicts a picture of the Last Judgment. In the center, surrounded by Jewish kings and virtues, is Christ (by Martin Freminet). The main altar, made of marble (1633), depicts the Holy Trinity (1642). On both sides are statues of the defenders of the crowned family: in a lace tunic, with a lily on the mantle, and gilded sandals, St. Charles the Great froze majestically on the marble floor, on the contrary - St. Louis, holding a scepter. The royal couple never missed a religious service, turning to the Almighty in prayer, asking for blessings and protection for themselves and their native people.

A gallery worth admiring

The real treasury created by Francis is an undisputed masterpiece of the Renaissance style. For the first time, it harmoniously combines mahogany paneling with frescoes and a wide variety of sculptures. Huge elongated windows let in streams of sunlight, illuminating the painting with natural light. The walls of the oblong, somewhat narrowed hall (64x6 m) are divided into two parts. The lower one is decorated with warm wooden panels, where the national coat of arms and royal monograms are displayed. Above is incomparable artistic modeling. Unique frescoes demonstrating the military triumphs of God's anointed one glorify his fearlessness and righteousness, patronage of art and science. The oval-shaped letters “F”, a lily flower and a salamander in a flame of fire (royal emblem) do not allow us to forget about the customer, whose motto was “Nutrisco et extinguo”, meaning “I nourish and destroy”.
The amazing wall paintings (14 in total) are striking, representing a composition thought out to the subtleties, having a deep meaning that one can only guess about. In the center is a painting by the talented Italian painter Primaticcio “Danae”. Reclining on the pillows is a naked golden-haired beauty, who, according to Greek mythology, is the daughter of the Argive king Acrisius and Eurydice. The girl's father, frightened by the message of the Delphic oracle, foreshadowing death at the hands of his grandson, isolated her, imprisoned her in a tower underground, and guarded her. But you cannot escape from what is destined from above. The mighty Zeus, turning into golden rain, entered the maidens' chambers. Danae gave birth to a son, Perseus, and the prediction came true.
The following canvas delights: the sovereign in the guise of a noble prince appears in the temple of Jupiter as a conqueror over ignorance. People who wish to remain rude and uneducated die. Rosso's canvases "Venus and Cupid" do not let go, especially "Bacchus and Venus", where the body of the young man is so realistically conveyed that it seems alive, and not painted, created from flesh and blood. Nearby are all kinds of incredibly intricately shaped vessels made of crystal, silver, decorated with precious stones. The genius of the brush depicted a satyr with a goat's face, on which delight was frozen, a boy riding a bear. The greatest talent was helped by cabinetmakers, modelers, carvers, and engravers. Ancient stories serve as a reason for thinking about morality and religion.

Sophistication of the ballroom

A spacious room of 300 square meters with a coffered ceiling, bathed in sunlight, literally sparkles. The glamorous appearance was given by Henry II, who completed and decorated it after the death of his parent. Drawing of a magnificent typesetting The parquet corresponds to the ornament of the vault, supported by powerful supports from numerous arched pylons. The bottom is lined with oak slabs. The top is decorated with mythological scenes made by the Italian artist Niccolo del Abbate. One canvas is dedicated to the patroness of hunting, Diana, whose multiple images saturate the vast space of the estate. Five huge window openings open onto an elegant garden; the Oval Courtyard is visible through the rest.
When dusk fell, thousands of candles were lit on crystal chandeliers descending like spiders on a gilded “web,” music sounded, and couples slowly danced. Elegantly dressed in satin and silk, the ladies amazed with lace, the sparkle of diamonds, whispered, looking at the carved decoration, where the Latin letter “H” is clearly visible, placed on the Roman numeral “II”, crossed by two crescents. And even though the owner explained that this was a joint marital monogram, everyone understood perfectly well who the interesting combination was intended for.
Having married a noble representative of the richest family in Italy, Catherine de Medici, he was devoted until his last breath to Diana Poitiers, almost 20 years older. Legends were made about her unearthly beauty; many representatives of weak status would like to know the secret of her charm. And today people are amazed at the fantastically unreal depth of men’s feelings. He gave the only woman he wanted expensive jewelry, lands, presented the fabulous Chenonceau castle, built on the banks of the Loire, was ready to throw the whole world at her feet, wanted to get a divorce, but she did not allow it. It was a strange, incomprehensible life for three. The wife regularly gave birth to children, the mistress took care of their upbringing. Which of them could be considered the true queen: the favorite who owned the king’s heart, or the wife who wore mourning for her trampled, crucified love?

Secrets of the Deer Salon

The room, 74 m long and 7 m wide, was built in the 17th century. Along the perimeter, the walls are crowned with the heads of noble animals (43 pieces), sculpted from plaster, watching the guests with glass beady eyes. Mysteriously froze antique statues (bronze copy) of “Sleeping Ariadne”, “Laocoon with Children”, “Apollo Belvedere”, brought from the Louvre, a sculpture of the huntress from Olympus, made in 1602 by Prieur. In the picturesque groves, the lovely palaces of Chambord and Amboise (13), painted in oil on plaster by the skillful hand of master Poisson, look wonderful from a bird's eye view. On the ceiling there is a hunt of game by dogs. Rich colors give a feeling of naturalness - the forest seems real, the barely tangible smell of virgin nature is felt, the quiet whisper of foliage is heard, the sounds of a bird choir are barely discernible. Here the ghost of the Marquis de Monaldeci, who was killed on the orders of Queen Christina of Sweden and convicted of treason, appears.
In 1667, she appeared on the estate with her lover, the Chief of the Horse, in a man's dress, resembling a charming boy. The couple looked happy, but quite by accident the girl found written love messages addressed to her rival. Fury overshadowed reason; the insane desire to take revenge on the liar was stronger than it. When the officers attacked Monaldeci in the gallery, she enjoyed the hypocrite's death throes with particular cruelty, ready to cling to the traitor herself like a wild cat. The unfortunate man was on his knees asking for mercy, but treacherous letters and reproaches were flying in his face. With his throat pierced, the dying man called on Jesus and Mary, and she danced with Louis XIV that same evening. And today the soul of the murdered man wanders, unable to find peace.

Book storage

This is perhaps the longest hall, stretching 80 m, 10 m wide. Whenever it was not used: it was a banquet hall Louis Philippe, dedicated to Diana, served as a prison during the revolution, in 1858 it became a huge library. 16 thousand publications rest peacefully on glass shelves. This is heaven on earth for avid literature lovers! A lifetime probably won’t be enough to re-read everything. Mythological images on the vaults are replaced at the ends by frescoes executed in the “troubadour” style, where plots of real and legendary events of the past are conveyed with iconographic accuracy, for example, “Charles the Great crossing the Alps” (8 in total).
In the center is a large globe, ordered in 1810 by Bonaparte. Few people know that China is missing from it; this is a manufacturer’s error that remains uncorrected. Chinese delegations are kept silent about this so as not to inadvertently offend. And Russian travelers joke: “It would be better if the emperor had not discovered Russia there. Perhaps he would not have brought so much grief to our cities and villages when he reached Moscow.” Of course, it's a joke, but who knows...

Imperial chambers

The apartments of Napoleon, the last of the living monarchs, do not stand out with pomp, like those of his predecessors. A more modest setting characterizes the inner content of a great, no matter what, personality. The former royal bedroom was converted into a throne room with a stage, a throne set under a scarlet velvet canopy and flanked by flagpoles. The velvet canopy is surprising, because it is usually considered a sleeping element, but this is not accidental. It is a sign of heavenly patronage, royal power - no less! Numerous tassels on the curtains indicate that the room is intended for God's protege; they used to decorate holy places, later they turned into interior classics.
The “camp bed” where His Majesty rested, tired of the day's bustle and worries, looks simple. Even indoor slippers have been preserved here. In the red salon there is still a very small round table on a single thick leg. It was behind him that the emperor said that for the good of his homeland, remaining faithful to the oath, he was ready to leave the country, if necessary, to die.
The topographical cabinet contains a silent witness to his successful and unrealizable plans - a large oak table (master Georges Jacob). And he planned on a grand scale, hence the aphorism - “Napoleonic plans.”
The commander extremely valued and treasured weapons. His gold-encrusted sword was sold at an auction held in Fontainebleau in June 2007 for $6 million 400 thousand. The fancifully curved blade with an intricate pattern reaches a length of 1 m. In 1978, it was declared a national sovereign treasure. The law allows it to be purchased only by the owner of real estate in France, where the unique item must remain for at least six months.
Considerable importance was attached to clothing. Among the exhibits, a military uniform was preserved, recalling the inexhaustible belligerence of the owner, who practically did not wear civilian attire. Having come to power, he allocated a huge sum for the purchase of ceremonial outfits. The embroidery on the snow-white velvet of the cloak alone cost 10,000 francs, not to mention the hat with ostrich feathers and a diamond in a gold frame. He wore bicorn every day. There were 170 of them in the wardrobe. A familiar gesture was to tear off the bicorne and throw it at the feet of the ambassadors, thereby expressing anger.

Garden and park area

It occupies 115 hectares. At first, they tried to grow coastal pines in the western part. In honor of the defender of Rome, the glorious Pomona, a pavilion was erected, decorated with paintings by Italian painters Rosso Fiorentino and Francesco Primaticcio, but in 1566 it was destroyed. The grotto remains preserved, its rusticated arches are supported by powerful atlases. In 1812, a modern garden in the English style was laid out here, crossed by an artificially created river with clean, transparent water, flowing, like human life, in a single direction. The green spaces were replenished with exotic seedlings: tulip tree, Japanese sophora and others. In different corners, sculptures from the 17th century rest on the silky grass. (copies) "Gladiator Borghese", very close - "The Dying Gladiator", behind him - "Telemachus on the Island of Ogyga".
A pond occupying an area of ​​4 hectares with large carp, swimming ducks, and white swans, which delight the guests, adds a touch of romance to the surrounding panorama. In the center, on the created island, there was an octagonal gazebo, built by the architect L. Levo in 1662. Peter I, who came on a visit, liked this nice place so much that he expressed a desire to dine there. The palace retinue had to travel by boat, carrying kitchen utensils with prepared dishes. Along the shore there is a long alley lined with plane trees.
There are two wonderful swimming pools on the vast territory. In one in the 17th century. there was a rock fountain called the “seething cauldron”, replaced by a marvelous stone bowl. In the second, an eagle cast from bronze sits proudly, tenaciously grasping its prey with its sharp claws. It's so nice here in the summer season. Like sisters, flowering linden trees are lined up in rows; the fragrant smell is intoxicating, pure as youth, sweet as honey. You can take a boat ride along the canal (1.2 km), dug in 1606 -1609. To fill it, several aqueducts were built.
On the north side, by order of Catherine de Medici, a garden with a greenhouse dedicated to her was planted. But ironically, it was here that a fountain was installed (1603) with a beautiful sculptural composition “Diana with a Doe” (sculptor Biard). The goddess standing on a pedestal is guarded by four dogs, under them are deer heads with branched antlers. The garden complex was renamed in her honor. This is the will of the Dauphin.
Obviously, most people imagine peacocks with bright, colorful tail fans, but here you will also meet the rarest albinos. Surprised? A completely unexpected move by Mother Nature. They were brought by Queen Catherine. Having become accustomed to the graceful royal birds, reminiscent of her father’s land, she did not want to part with them. The French did not like their nasty scream, which (as it seemed to them) brought trouble, so the courtiers did not like handsome men. You can only meet them in spring and summer, because they are too thermophilic. What a miracle this is!

You can talk endlessly about the beauty of the legendary castle and its crowned inhabitants, but listening is one thing, but seeing... The best assessment would be a brief dialogue between the historian Michelet and his opponent:
- Tell me, where will you seek refuge and consolation when you feel unhappy?
- I'll go to Fontainebleau.
- What if they are very happy?
- I'll go there too.

Castles of France. Fontainebleau (1 part)

Fontainebleau is an amazing place that bears the imprint of many royal destinies.

The castle of Fontainebleau, surrounded by a spacious forest rich in game, was the favorite residence of French rulers for many centuries. However, this is not a traditional official residence like Versailles or the Louvre, but rather a family home that came to life during the hunting season.


Construction of the castle lasted from the 16th to the 19th centuries, which was reflected in the variety of buildings in the castle.

The castle is located around four main courtyards.


The main staircase of the castle has the shape of a horseshoe. At the foot of these stairs, on April 20, 1814, the ceremony of Napoleon's departure to the island of Elba took place.


The medieval fortress at Fontainebleau dates back to the 12th century, during the reign of Louis VII. In 1259, Saint Louis stood next to the fortress as a hospital monastery of the Trinitarian Order. Philip the Fair was born and died at Fontainebleau Castle. And Queen Isabella of Bavaria decorated it in the 15th century.


In 1528, Francis I decided to rebuild a new castle on the foundations of a medieval building, leaving only the donjon, a large square tower in the depths of the oval courtyard.


The medieval chapel dedicated to Saint Saturninus had by this time begun to collapse, so Francis I visited the Trinitarian Church. To make the path from his bedroom, located in the donjon, to the church more comfortable, Francis ordered the construction of a gallery connecting these rooms. On the ground floor of the gallery, Francis’ collections were placed, including “La Gioconda” by Leonardo da Vinci. The unique decor of the second floor was created in 1533-1539 by the Florentine Giovanni Batista di Jacopo (or Rosso) together with the Bolognese Primaticcio. It successfully combines low carved panels, frescoes and artificial marble decorations.


The picturesque part of the gallery's design remains more mysterious. However, historians still agree that Francis wanted to symbolically represent human life and the power of the king.


Banished ignorance
One of the frescoes, “Exiled Ignorance,” is an allegory of Francis the First, philanthropist and humanist, entering the temple of light and leaving behind oppressed men and blindfolded women symbolizing ignorance.
In 1540, on lands purchased from the Trinitarians, Francis erected new buildings around a large square lower courtyard.
Also at this time the park is being developed. To the south, the Court of the Pines is decorated with decorative buildings and a grotto, and the new Court of the Fountain overlooks a pond in the south of the gallery of Francis I, another garden was laid out in the north.






Henry II, son of Francis I, in 1547 entrusted the further construction of the castle to the architect Philibert Delorme. He places a horseshoe-shaped staircase in the center of the lower court, and in the Oval Court he transforms the plan of a wide loggia (unsuitable to the local climate) into a Ballroom covered with a wooden coffered ceiling in the Italian style.


Ballroom





Ballroom
The frescoes were conceived by Primaticcio and executed by Nicolo del Abbate and the artists of his workshop in 1550. The symbols of the new king: the initials “N”, a crescent moon symbolizing glory, are present in the wooden decor of the walls, ceiling, on the fireplace and chandeliers.

Chapel of Saint Saturninus


The king's widow, Catherine de' Medici, again returned to the court the architect Primaticcio, who in 1565-1570 completed the wing of the Beautiful Fireplace for her.


Henry II made a significant contribution to the construction of Fontainebleau. In 1601-1606 he lengthened the buildings of the Oval Court almost twice.


Salon of Louis XIII
The study of Henry II is distinguished by a special decorative design made by the artist Abroise Dubois in 1601. It was here that on September 27, 1601, the Dauphin, heir to the kingdom, the future King Louis XIII was born (this salon is now named after him). It was etiquette for queens of France to give birth in public, and Henry II ordered his wife Catherine de' Medici to be accommodated in his study because it was more accessible than the queen's bedroom.
In 1606 - 1609 he built the Service Yard, intended for kitchens and housing for court employees. He commissioned a new interior interior from the artists Ambroise Dubois and Toussaint Dubreuil, and entrusted the creation of the second chapel of the castle on the site of the Trinitarian Church to Martin Freminet.


Trinity Chapel
Work continues to improve the gardens. Henry II surrounded the queen's private garden, called Diana's garden because of the fountain depicting this goddess, with brick and stone pavilions. Queen Catherine de' Medici could admire this garden from Diana's gallery during bad weather.
On the south side, the king ordered the construction of a canopy garden over the Carp Pond, and also converted the King's garden into a Grand Parterre, decorating it with pools and fountains, and extended it from the east by digging a canal more than a kilometer long.


His son Louis XIII commissioned the architect Jean Andruet du Cersault to rebuild the staircase in the shape of a horseshoe:


After his death, the widow Anna of Austria continued active construction of the castle and improvement of its interiors from 1643.


Queen's Bedroom


Queen's bedroom ceiling
Thus, in the Queen’s bedroom, from the time of Anne of Austria, the central part of the ceiling has survived, representing a beautiful ornament of gilded wood, made in 1644. The rest of the room's decor dates back to the times of Marie Leszczynska, wife of Louis XV, and Marie Antoinette.


Louis XIV makes minor changes to the castle and commissions the gardener André Le Nôtre to redesign the Grand Parterre.




Architect Louis Levoe is erecting a small octagonal pavilion in the middle of the reservoir.


The next big changes take place under Louis XV. He erected a new wing of the castle, and also rebuilt the existing ones in 1738-1741 and 1773-1774. Numerous improvements have been made to make it easier to move around the castle. Thus, the bedroom of the Duchess d'Etampes, decorated with frescoes and ornaments by Primaticcio, was transformed into a staircase.


Bedroom of Madame d'Etampes (Louis XV staircase)
The Council Chamber was enlarged and decorated in a new way. Panels in blue or pink, painted by Carl Van Loo and Jean-Baptiste Pierre, represent the seasons, forces of nature, virtues and knowledge necessary for power.


Council Chamber
Louis XVI continues to search for a new space. In 1785-1786 he doubled the gallery of Francis I with a new wing, which made it possible to enlarge the Small and Official Apartments.
Marie Antoinette updated the interior decoration of some of her rooms in 1786-1787. The antique decor of the Queen's boudoir was conceived in 1786 by Pierre Rousseau. And in 1787, for its final completion, Bernard Molitor laid mahogany parquet of various shades. The yellow and white gold of the wooden wall coverings and armchairs are combined with mother-of-pearl and the silver of the handicraft table, striking with its subtle radiance.


Queen's Boudoir
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France. Fontainebleau Castle (part 2)



During the French Revolution, the castle was completely deserted, however, the building itself survived. Since 1796, it housed the Higher School of Arts, and then a special Military School.
After Napoleon I came to power, the castle regained its former purpose and blossomed with new colors. In November 1804, to welcome Pope Pius VII to Fontainebleau, who had come to crown Napoleon at Notre Dame Cathedral, the future emperor ordered the castle to be refurbished in record time, in just two weeks.
As a result, the Pope's apartments were arranged in an enfilade of eleven rooms, next to the royal apartments. These rooms were located in two buildings of different eras and were called “Apartments of Louis XIII” and “Apartments of Louis XV”. Louis III's apartments included a reception room and the Officers' salon, a reception hall with a Henry II-era ceiling and walls decorated with four "History of Alexander the Great" tapestries; a bedroom with tapestries “Triumph of the Gods” and a dressing room.


Bedroom

Salon-reception
The apartment of Louis XV consisted of a dressing room, a bedroom in which Pope Pius VII actually spent the night; Corner salon, Officers' salon, Bailiffs' salon and Dark hallway.


Bedroom and portrait of the Pope
The Pope later returned to the same apartments during his forced stay in France from June 1812 to January 1814. The Pope was detained within the castle walls as a prisoner in order to force him to sign an agreement which he rejected.
Napoleon I regularly visited Fontainebleau. Wanting to open the castle from the city side and make a main entrance there, he destroys the Ferrar wing and replaces it with the current lattice gate. On his initiative, the architect Gurto is restoring the almost completely destroyed Diana Gallery, 80 meters long, created under Henry IV. The gallery's original decoration, telling the story of the goddess of the hunt, by Ambroise Dubois and Jean de Goët, was continued by Mary-Joseph Blondel and Abel de Pujol during the Restoration. Napoleon III subsequently converted the gallery into a library, including volumes from Napoleon I's library commissioned for the Tuileries.


Diana Gallery
In 1808, Napoleon I converted the King's bedroom into the Throne Room. The throne and canopy are strewn with golden bees, the symbol of Napoleon.


Throne room
In addition, Napoleon I decorated the interior of his personal apartments, which once belonged to Louis XVI. So the emperor turned Louis XVI's dressing room into a bedroom. The bed, like the rest of the furniture, is covered with patterned velvet, lightened with embroidery at Napoleon's request.

Emperor's Bedroom
Particularly noteworthy are the two Pomie armchairs in front of the fireplace, named after their inventor. These are chairs with two unequal armrests: high to protect against drafts and low to enjoy the fire.


Emperor's Bedroom
A special place in the apartments of Napoleon I is occupied by the office, since the emperor had an amazing capacity for work and could regain his strength during a short respite on the iron bed installed in the office.


The Emperor's Study and the Abnegation Salon
The next room of the Imperial Apartments is associated with an important historical event, thanks to which it received the name Salon of Abnegation. It was here in Fontainebleau, sitting at a table in his private salon, on April 6, 1814, that Napoleon I signed the act of abdication.
And on April 20 of that year, at the foot of the horseshoe-shaped staircase, Napoleon said goodbye to his guards before leaving for exile on the island of Elba. Called the Court of the White Horse because of the plaster statue that adorned it during the Renaissance, the court from that time on received a second name: the Court of Farewell.


Courtyard of Farewell
The following changes to the Fontainebleau Castle took place under Louis Philippe, who stayed at this residence several times. On his initiative, a lot of restoration and reconstruction work was carried out here, improving comfort and decor. Artists Jean Alot and Abel de Pujol restored and added to many of the damaged frescoes. Significant changes have taken place in the Guard Hall.


Hall of the Guard
All that remains of the original Renaissance decor is the ceiling with painted beams and a frieze underneath depicting war trophies.


Ceiling in the Hall of the Guard
The rest of the neo-Renaissance decor was done under Louis Philippe, including the parquet flooring, which reflects the beamed structure of the ceiling.
Louis Philippe creates a gallery of plates. The ceiling and walls above the wood panels were decorated with decor that had been moved here from Diana's gallery.

Gallery of Plates
And in the panels, by order of Louis Philippe, 128 plates from Sèvres porcelain were inserted with images of events that took place in Fontainebleau, and views of the castle and its surroundings.


Gallery of Plates
Like his predecessor, Napoleon III attached great importance to Fontainebleau and carried out many restoration works on the castle. Napoleon III decorated the salon of Francis I with carpets on the theme of Emperor Maximilian's hunting, woven in the 12th century at the Tapestry Factory according to Flemish designs from the 16th century.


Salon of Francis the First
Also under him in 1854, the architect Hector Lefuel created a new hall for performances. In 1861, the emperor received gifts from the ambassadors of the King of Siam, which supplemented the Far Eastern collections of Empress Eugenie. Based on these collections, the Empress created the Chinese Museum in Fontainebleau in 1863.
After the fall of the Empire, the castle of Fontainebleau at times served as the residence of some presidents of the Third Republic, and in 1927 it became a national museum.
This beautiful castle near Paris has such an interesting history.


To be continued...
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The dazzling luxury of Fontainebleau
This castle is reminiscent of Versailles with its grandeur and attractive charm. French kings lived in the town of Fontainebleau from 1137 to 1870.

The luxurious palace, which Napoleon once gave the name “House of the Ages”, appeared only in the 16th century. Before this, French kings came to the forest south of Paris to hunt.

King Francis I and Napoleon Bonaparte are the most famous personalities who lived here. After the revolution in France in 1789, this castle was dilapidated, but under Napoleon I it was restored and turned into the emperor's country house.

By the will of Francis I, who invited Italian artists to decorate the palace, turning an ordinary country mansion into a kind of art museum, the palace became a center for the spread of Italian Renaissance culture: the founders of the “Fontainebleau school of painting” worked here.
Castle interior: on the 2nd floor - large royal chambers, richly decorated and furnished, a chapel, a gallery of Francis I with frescoes, a wonderful ballroom (30 m long and 10 m wide) with unique paintings, a huge fireplace supported by two atlases , double twisted staircases, stone "lace", coffered ceilings, royal bedrooms upholstered in Lyon silk, the Council Chamber, the Throne Room and the Emperor's inner chambers.

Since the 17th century, every empress and queen of France has slept in a gold bed trimmed with emeralds, which is located in the so-called Queen's Bed Chamber.

In addition, the castle also houses the Napoleon Bonaparte Museum (Le Musee Napoelon), which displays the most complete collection of the emperor’s personal belongings: right down to his toothbrush, slippers, state gifts, etc.

French guides always begin their story about Fontainebleau with Napoleon, his chambers, and his emblem - the hardworking bee. The cult of Napoleon still exists in France. He really worked like a bee, twenty hours a day (the remaining four hours were always enough for him to sleep).

In the imperial chambers, visitors are surprised for a long time, looking at his magnificent bed with a tent canopy - it is so short that it is impossible to lie down on it normally. It’s not just Napoleon’s short stature, it’s just that back then everyone slept sitting up, it was considered good for health.