Château de Fontainebleau

Fortunately there was no early movement from the nearby Military Equestrian Centre this morning, allowing for a quiet start to the day. 

The Emperor Napoleon and his first wife, Joséphine from paintings at Fontainebleau. 

After breakfast we were early starters in the grounds of the Château, enjoying the quietness of the picturesque surroundings. 

Later we took a tour through the appartments of Fontainebleau. Realising that the history of the Château spans over nearly 1000 years - with the first chateau being built here in 1137 - there have been many additions and alterations. 

Fontainebleau is the product of a cluster of styles from different periods. Louis VII built an abbey here in 1169. A medieval tower survives but the present château harks back to François I.

Originally drawn by the local hunting, the Renaissance king created a decorative château modeled on Florentine and Roman styles.

While impossible to cover it all in a day, the grands appartements provided a sumptuous introduction to this royal palace. We took this tour early before the expected crowds and were quite amazed as to the overall experience. 

Exquisite tapestries adorn many walls throughout the Château. 

The bed chambers were all highly decorative. 

Many collections and patterns around the Château. 

Beautiful ballrooms, concert chambers, library and chapel. 

The Napoleon museum was also part of the Château’s exhibition. It contained a huge variety of objects from his time as Emperor. 

A replica of the accommodation that accompanied Napoleon on his campaigns. Personal

health and hygiene was important so a kit to maintain his high standards can be seen here. 

The economy turn for the better under Napoleon- one of the beneficiaries was the porcelain industry. Dinner sets were made for many different occasions. 

The Jardin de Diana is overlooked by all the personal chambers of the kings and emperor.  A very pleasant area of the Château. 

The co-pilot wishes me to add a selection of her choice:

 Napoleon’s crown room. 

The room where Napoleon abdicated on 6th April 1814 before farewelling his troops from the imposing horse-shoe shaped staircase at the front of the Château.