France surprisingly combines seriousness and romance. An avid lover of antiquity, a traveler who appreciates the beauty and grandeur of French architecture, and an ordinary tourist will definitely like it here.
The famous palaces of France (Fontainebleau, Louvre, Versailles) conceal a special charm. Many royal residences are bypassed by tourists, focusing only on Paris. Meanwhile, only 60 kilometers from the capital of France are the magnificent palace and park of Fontainebleau.
Location
The famous residence of the French kings is located in the heart of the historical region of Ile-de-France, in the Seine-et-Marne department, about 60 kilometers from the country's capital. Nearby is the city of Fontainebleau, which owes its appearance to the palace. You can get to the royal residence from Paris by car or train.
Fontainebleau Palace in France: history, description, attractions
For the first time, the future residence of the French kings is mentioned in the XII century. At that time it was a country hunting lodge. Forests of Fontainebleau,rich in game, from time immemorial were the hunting grounds of the rulers of the country. Then the house grew to the size of a manor, and soon a small castle was erected in its place.
The construction of the palace in its current form began under Francis I of Valois, who decided to build a country residence intended exclusively for recreation on the site of the abandoned fortress. The king was primarily attracted by the opportunity to hunt in the dense forests of Fontainebleau and its environs.
The Renaissance in France is most closely connected with the name of Francis I. On trips to Italy, he got acquainted with the works of Italian masters and was fascinated by them. Seriously carried away by the Renaissance, he invited many famous artists, architects and scientists to France. Among them was Leonardo da Vinci. Thanks to Francis I, an ordinary hunting lodge turned into a luxurious palace and park ensemble.
The main entrance to the Palace of Fontainebleau is made in an unusual shape - a horseshoe. From this extravagant staircase, the royal residence can be easily distinguished from other palaces of the French rulers.
The interior of Fontainebleau is striking in splendor. Luxurious galleries are decorated with frescoes on the walls and paintings by famous masters of painting on the ceilings. The gallery of Diana looks especially fabulous, the ceiling of which is decorated with scenes from mythology dedicated to the goddess of the hunt. The library is now located here.
Palace salonsFontainebleau is decorated with wonderful tapestries.
Trinity Chapel is another magnificent building that is part of the ensemble of the royal residence. The vault was designed by Martin Freminet. In it, on both sides of the altar, there are statues of saints - the patrons of the French kings. The chapel was built in the 16th century.
Construction history
The Palace of Fontainebleau (France, Ile-de-France region) was created under the guidance of skilled Italian architects, among whom was the famous Benvenuto Cellini. It was built in the mannerist style that dominated the art of Italy at that time. It is characterized by dramatic images, expression and extravagance of decor, bright colors and elongated proportions of figures.
Leaving only one tower from the previous building, Italian craftsmen erected a magnificent building that became a symbol of the Renaissance in France. It should be noted that the Palace of Fontainebleau, unlike other palaces of European rulers, was devoid of any protective structures. This was partly due to the fact that the French king, being an excellent diplomat, had practically no enemies.
Under Francis, most of the outbuildings, the gates of the palace, the chapel, the dance hall were built.
After the death of Francis I, the Palace of Fontainebleau was not abandoned. Its construction was continued under the leadership of the son of the deceased ruler, Henry II. A covered gallery was attached to the palace, the vault of which rests on supports that make up a beautiful system of arcade embrasures. Subsequently, Henry IV made changes to the appearance of the palace.and Louis XIV. During their reign, terraces, pavilions in the park and a new wing of the building were built.
Fontainebleau Palace in Ile-de-France during the French Revolution
The upheavals that the country experienced during the years of revolution and terror also affected the country residence of the French kings in Fontainebleau. Almost all the furnishings were removed, and the residence housed a military school. In 1803, Napoleon Bonaparte visited Fontainebleau for the first time with an inspection. After that, he decided to make the palace his residence. Invited architects carried out the reconstruction of the palace for almost the entire period of the emperor's stay in power. New stables were built, Diana's gallery was redesigned, fountains were restored, and an English park was laid out. In the courtyard of the White Horse, the farewell of the great commander and his veteran guardsmen after his abdication took place. The last time Napoleon visited the Palace of Fontainebleau after his escape from the island of Elba.
Now visitors to the palace can see the premises associated with the great ruler of France. These are the imperial bedrooms, the Throne Room, the Small Bedroom (in which Napoleon preferred to spend most of his time) and the salon in which he signed his renunciation of power.
Our time
The Palace of Fontainebleau in France today is a magnificent architectural monument of past centuries. Anyone can visit it at a convenient time and admire the luxurious halls, galleries and salons, stroll through the wonderful park and English garden and see the pondKarpov. It is not for nothing that the name of the palace is translated from French as “Wonderful Spring”.
In addition to the park and the English garden, visitors to the castle can take a walk through the forest near Fontainebleau. To do this, it is equipped with walking and cycling paths.
Conclusion
The Palace of Fontainebleau is a luxurious and cozy residence of the French kings, hidden in shady forests near Paris. The magnificent interior decoration of the palace ensemble, beautiful parks and a wonderful pond make Fontainebleau a pleasant place for a leisurely excursion.
