And today, I get to explore Fontainebleau. And it would be customary to pay a visit to Château de Fontainebleau, one of the oldest surviving, and one of the best preserved medieval palaces in France.
With an eye on learning more on French history, I set out on my cycle. The ride from Rue Saint Merry to Château de Fontainebleau took just about 7-8 minutes. The ride itself was quite pleasant with a cool breeze blowing under cloudy, overcast skies.
Quite a laidback morning in Fontainebleau, can't believe it's a Monday morning...
One of the many cafes and bistros that line up along the rues of Fontainebleau...
At Place Napoleon Bonaparte...
The imperial eagle staff at the gates of Château de Fontainebleau...
And I enter the gates of the Chateau...
The Chateau has had a rich history. Historical records dating back to 1137, during the reign of Lois VII, suggest that there was a fortified castle at this location. The location of Fontainebleau next to the forest, the Forêt de Fontainebleau, with its abundant game and natural springs, made it a favorite hunting lodge of the of the French nobility.
In fact, one of the springs located right here within the chateau premises (Jardin Anglais) gave Fontainebleau its name.
In 1169, Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas à Becket, who was then exiled in France, consecrated the Château de Fontainebleau chapel to both the Virgin Mary and Saint Saturnin. In 1259, Saint Louis established a monastery (Cour du Cheval Blanc or Cour des Adieux) and a hospital here. Today only the foundations of the chapel and monastery buildings survive.
It was here at Fontainebleau in 1332, a European alliance was forged through the marriage Jean de France and Bonne of Bohemia was signed.
Later, Charles VII, who ruled France in the 1400s began extending the Chateau complex. During the Renaissance era, the palace was expanded and was often used by the French monarchs as a centre for diplomacy, entertaining the kings of Scotland and the Holy Roman Empire.
King Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette made additions to the Chateau in the years before the French Revolution in the late 1700s.
During the French Revolution the Chateau did not suffer any significant damage, but all the furniture was sold off at auction. In 1803, when Napoleon I setup a military school there. As he prepared to become Emperor, Napoleon wanted to preserve the legacy of the past - the palaces and the protocols. Napoleon chose Fontainebleau as the site of his historic 1804 meeting with Pope Pius VII, who had travelled from Rome to crown him as the Emperor.
The plan of the Chateau...
Bust of Charles IV...
A grand staircase...
Exploring the Napoleon I Museum...
Bonaparte's regalia...
Portraits of Napoleon Bonaparte...
Portrait of Joséphine de Beauharnais, Napoleon's spouse...
The imperial table used by Bonaparte...
Imperial tableware...
Napoleon restored the grandeur of the French royal court after the damage done during the French Revolution. He did love the pomp of being a monarch...
Napoleon's tent that he used at battle-time...
Napoleon's military fatigues...
It said Napoleon fought alongside the common soldier as though he were one of them...
His legendary sword...
Napoleon's ceremonial dress...
With an eye on cementing an alliance with Austria, Napoleon married the Archduchess Marie Louise,..
Cradle of the King of Rome, Napoleon II, the son of Bonaparte and Louise...
A cherub bust, of Napoleon II...
Bonaparte with his son and Louise...
Napoleon II...
Little kids being given a tour of the Chateau...
An antechamber...
A room for the lawmakers...
A room for army officers...
An imperial waiting room...
1 comment:
I remember visiting this place. The best part is they allow photography!
I must have clicked a few 100s here. Enjoyed seeing yours. :)
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