Palais Fontainebleau: history, interesting facts and video

🙂 Greetings to history and travel lovers! The Renaissance palace of Fontainebleau is located in the Seine-et-Marne department, 60 km from Paris.

This castle was considered the most “royal” of the palaces in France. It is believed that this place is a powerful source of energy, which gave power to the rulers who lived in the castle.

The guides assure that the castle is home to the ghosts and souls of those who played an important role in the history of France. The main royal house has seen a lot. Within these walls, dynasties were born and died, cunning intrigues were woven.

History of the castle of Fontainebleau

The castle is located freely in the forests, which have always been rich in game, and the kings loved to hunt. The first owner of the castle was Louis VII. At that time, this building was not yet a castle. A small hunting lodge was built in the forest. He became the first country residence.

Francis I (1494-1547)

Then a small castle was erected on this place, more like a fortified fortress. The fortress acquired an exquisite look during the reign of Francis I – he ordered to completely rebuild it. Only the tower reminds that there was once a fortress here.

Italian architects worked on the architecture of the new castle. At the time, Italians were considered the finest craftsmen in Europe. The king aspired to become the master of this Europe, and therefore he needed more than just a palace.

This is how Fontainebleau became a symbol of the Renaissance in Northern Europe. Collections of the best Italian painters and sculptors are gathered here. Subsequently, art critics began to call them “the first school of Fontainebleau”.

In European courts, it was considered good form to copy the style of this graceful castle. Heavy fortress residences are a thing of the past, now palaces were built, completely devoid of defensive functions.

Until now, in Fontainebleau, you can see the gallery and living room, built under Francis. The gallery led to the palace chapel. It is decorated with Italian frescoes and statues.

Henry II (1519-1559)

Under Henry II, the decoration of the ballroom was completed. He dedicated this hall to his beloved Diana de Poitiers. Bright rays of light penetrate through numerous windows. It seems that the room is covered in gold.

On oak panels, the monogram is often repeated, which was composed of the capital letters of the name of the king and the favorite. The frescoes and paintings depict the goddess of the hunt, Diana. Everything in this room speaks of love for the favorite. In addition, Diana’s fountain can be seen in the palace garden.

Under the Bourbons, a new stage in the life of the castle begins: it is called “the second school of Fontainebleau”. These are the works of French and Flemish painters. The frescoes of the Holy Trinity Chapel can be seen while visiting the castle.

Under Louis XIII, the palace was also not empty. It was here that the most vile intrigues developed, which Alexandre Dumas described in his fascinating novels.

It was in Fontainebleau that the tumultuous romance between Louis XIV and Louise de Lavalier began. But the ambitions of the young monarch demanded more. Soon he left not only the favorite, but also the palace. So for many years Fontainebleau went into the shadows, giving way to Versailles.

Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821)

During the empire, Fontainebleau again became the official residence. The Napoleonic era left a significant mark on the architecture of the castle:

• throne room;
• the emperor’s study and bedroom;
• “The hall of renunciation”. Here Napoleon signed his abdication;
• horseshoe staircase that led to the courtyard of the White Horse. The Emperor said goodbye to the faithful guard on the square, which is now called the “Courtyard of Farewell”

Since the end of the nineteenth century, the castle has been turned into a museum. By the way, the more modest Malmaison was the favorite home of Napoleon and Josephine.

Video

Take a walk around the castle! “French Palace of Fontainebleau”

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