Palace and Park of Fontainebleau, home of the French kings. Palace of Fontainebleau in France - the favorite residence of the monarchs and the emperor

Country residences of the kings of France, of course, appeal to everyone who loves
luxury and pomp.

Fontainebleau Palace occupies one of the first places in the history of France and all of Europe: from the 12th to the 19th centuries, a total of 34 French rulers visited here - from Louis VI Tolstoy
to Napoleon III.
From the 12th century French monarchs lived in Fontainebleau. Here Napoleon signed his renunciation of power and from here went to the island of Elba.
Notable foreign guests also visited Fontainebleau - Peter I and Pope Pius VII.

Fontainebleau served the French rulers for seven centuries, and only with the collapse of the Empire in 1870 did it forever cease to fulfill its historical functions and was turned into a museum.
With each century, the kings expanded their chambers, adding to existing buildings
new galleries, apartments, halls.
So the palace turned into a huge box filled with priceless treasures.

This castle is reminiscent of Versailles in its grandeur and alluring charm. A luxurious palace appeared in Fontainebleau in the 16th century. Prior to this, French kings came to the forest south of Paris to hunt. King Francis I and Napoleon Bonaparte are the most famous people who lived here.


Francis I invited Italian artists to decorate the palace, who turned an ordinary country mansion into a kind of art museum.

The most famous room in the castle is the Gallery of Francis I (Galerie de Francois I). Since the 17th century, every empress and queen of France has slept in a golden bed trimmed with emeralds, which is located in the so-called Queen's Bed Chamber (queen's bedroom).

In the gallery of Francis I, in the ballroom and the salon of Louis XIII, be sure to look at the wall paintings and sculptural decorations.

After the revolution in France in 1789, this castle was dilapidated, but under Napoleon I it was restored and turned into Vacation home emperor.


Moreover, the amazing dance halls were built precisely under Napoleon, who attracted the students and followers of Michelangelo Bonarotti for this purpose.

In addition, the castle also houses the Napoleon Bonaparte Museum (Le Musee Napoelon), which presents the most complete collection of personal belongings of the emperor: up to his toothbrush, slippers, state gifts, etc.
The palace is surrounded by a large park and forest with paths for cycling.

French guides always begin their story about Fontainebleau with Napoleon, his chambers, his emblem - the industrious bee.


In France, the cult of Napolnon still exists, although his campaigns and the huge number of men killed in them led to sad statistics: after the reign of the emperor average height the French decreased by 10 centimeters.
Napoleon 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 about Napoleon’s small stature, it’s just that then everyone slept sitting, it was considered good for health.

The attraction of the castle are the ghosts inhabiting it, which have accumulated a lot. The most famous is the Red Man, who is often seen in the park between half-night and two in the morning. According to legend, it was he who predicted the death of Catherine de Medici of her four sons, and King Henry IV - violent death from the assassin's dagger. The kings have left Fontainebleau, so the proud ghost no longer communicates with anyone.

Beyond the historical Palace of Fontainebleau, located 65 km south of Paris, the name " house of kings". Many people are more interested here than in, because it is ancient: the French kings lived in the town of Fontainebleau from 1137 to 1870. For eight centuries this world-famous was the true home of French kings and later emperors.

The palaces of Paris were intended for the public, open life monarchs; here, in Fontainebleau, their private life, the most important family events were celebrated here - weddings, births, christenings. Many princes and princesses were born within these walls, many of the kings of France spent their childhood years here. Until the fall of the Second Empire in 1870, the most important events in French history were associated with Fontainebleau.

Fontainebleau, history of occurrence

Documents of the XII century, this area in Ile-de-France, lost among the dense forest, was called "Fontene Bleaudi" - "Blodie's source". Once upon a time, the Bladobald family of the warlike Franks lived here, and scientists suggest that Blody is the name of the person on whose land the spring beat.

The French name of these places - "Fontaine-Belle-Eau" ("wonderful source") eventually turned into "Fontaine-Bleau". So the source of Blo - that wonderful source, which (according to legend) during the royal hunt was found by a dog named Blo - and gave the name to the forest, and the castle, and the city.

The history of Fontainebleau begins with hunting lodge built in the 12th century. in a forest rich in game, near the Blo spring source, from where the name of the Fontainebleau area came from ("fontaine" - in French "source"). Later, a manor grew up on the site of the house, and then a castle was erected, which became for a long time royal residence.

The first mention of Fontainebleau - in connection with the coronation of Louis VII - dates back to 1137. In the 12th century, in this place, in the heart of a vast forest that occupied more than 17 thousand hectares, there was a royal hunting castle. The traditional love of hunting made Fontainebleau a regularly visited place, and at the same time, almost every king considered it his duty to contribute to the improvement of castle buildings, rebuilding and decorating them in accordance with new tastes.

The castle underwent the most significant transformation under King Francis I (1494–1547), who wished to turn the old “house of kings” into a “New Rome”, which would surpass palaces in luxury and beauty, and.

The construction of Fontainebleau continued throughout 1528–1547. Instead of the old medieval castle a huge luxurious palace arose (architect J. Lebreton, P. Chambizh, etc.), in the form of which Italian and French artistic traditions were embodied. The gates, the dance hall, the chapel of St. Saturini, the buildings surrounding the courtyard of the White Horse and the gallery of Francis I, which connected the two groups of buildings, were built.

From the 12th century castle only one ancient donjon tower has survived, which once housed the royal bedroom. For palace complex Fontainebleau is characterized by courtyards - an echo of Italian architecture - and original horseshoe-shaped outdoor stair shoots.

To decorate the royal residence, Francis I invited the Italian painters Rosso Fiorentino, Francesco Primaticci and Sebastiano Serlio, who laid the foundation for the so-called "first Fontainebleau school". Art of Fontainebleau in the mid-16th century. became an offshoot of the Italian Mannerist style. It is characterized by a special elegance, a combination of painting with decorative friezes and complex carvings on plaster, imitating colored marble (stucco).

The artists of the first school of Fontainebleau widely included in their canvases allegorical and symbolic figures glorifying the kings of France. These paintings can still be seen on the walls of the monumental front staircase, in the dance hall and the royal bedroom, but they are best preserved in the gallery of Francis I, created by Rosso Fiorentino between 1522 and 1540.

The creation of the garden and park ensemble in Fontainebleau dates back to the time of King Francis I. A huge park “according to Italian fashion” was laid out around the palace, which, despite numerous later alterations and additions, gives an idea of ​​​​the garden and park architecture of the 16th century.

A large trapezoid-shaped pond, which is the center of the park, was once used for all kinds of "water tricks" and fun. Fountains were arranged in it, the largest of which was decorated with a statue of Hercules by Michelangelo. On artificial island a banquet pavilion was built in the middle of the pond.

In subsequent centuries, the palace in Fontainebleau was repeatedly subjected to significant alterations. According to the good old tradition, each monarch, having ascended the throne, was in a hurry to decorate the "house of kings" with something new. Although the builders tried to adhere to the project approved by Francis I, time made its own adjustments, and today the palace has lost a sense of the unity of style, embodying in its appearance architectural elements XVI–XIX centuries

Henry II, the son and successor of Francis I, and his wife Catherine de Medici completed all the constructions of Fontainebleau, although modified in accordance with new tastes, inviting architects Philibert Delorme and Jean Bullan for this purpose. The Mannerist painter Niccolo del Abbate worked on the decoration of the palace during these years.

Under Henry IV (1552–1610), the palace underwent major new alterations, led by the architect Ambroise Dubois. The Flemish painters who worked in Fontainebleau during this period laid the foundation for the “second school of Fontainebleau”. By order of Henry IV, the park was significantly expanded. A 1200 m long canal was dug in it, plane trees were planted - a rarity for France of that era, as well as spruce and fruit trees.

King Louis XIII, whose childhood was spent in Fontainebleau, added an iron staircase to the palace ensemble. In 1661–1664 André Le Nôtre, court gardener to Louis XIV and creator of the Versailles park, pitched on the site of the former Big park green stall. The "sun king" himself used to spend two autumn months in Fontainebleau every year, enjoying the peace and magnificent nature.

The reign of Louis XV includes the restructuring of the southern part of the White Horse Court and the construction of the Great Pavilion, called the Hermitage of the Marquise Pompadour (architect JA. Gabriel). Under Louis XVI, the size of the gallery of Francis I was doubled and the queen's boudoir was created, consisting of three salons, decorated in accordance with the tastes of the time.

When Napoleon arrived in Fontainebleau in 1804, the “house of the kings” struck him with its virgin emptiness. Only empty halls remained, however, almost untouched, and all the luxurious furnishings disappeared thanks to the efforts of the “citizens” of the republic. By order of Napoleon, the palace was refurbished and decorated, and within its walls the emperor of France received Pope Pius VII, who arrived in Paris to crown the "usurper".

The last dramatic pages of the history of the Napoleonic Empire are connected with Fontainebleau. On April 28, 1814, after saying goodbye to the soldiers of the Old Guard lined up in the courtyard, Napoleon left the castle forever. Years later, while in exile on St. Helena, he last day recalled Fontainebleau - "the true home of kings, the best decorated and most well-located palace in Europe." The National Museum of Fontainebleau contains many items belonging personally to Napoleon, his wife, brothers and sisters.

In subsequent years, the Palace of Fontainebleau remained the "home" royal residence. Under Louis Philippe, significant repair and restoration work was carried out here. In 1837, the marriage of the heir to the throne, Prince of Orleans, with a German princess took place within the walls of the palace.

The last heyday of Fontainebleau falls on the Second Empire. Emperor Napoleon III restored the abandoned part of the park, re-decorated the premises of the palace, and until 1868 Fontainebleau remained the place of official receptions, celebrations and amusements of the imperial couple.

The Franco-Prussian War and the fall of the empire put an end to political history Fontainebleau. Today the Palace and Park of Fontainebleau is national museum, which is part of, and part of it, by tradition, remains the residence of the head of state.

Fontainebleau, architecture and interiors

Acquaintance with the Fontainebleau ensemble begins with the Court of Honor, which is spaciously spread out in front of the main palace facade. The yard is part of the area where the miraculous spring once gushed. Almost the entire area of ​​the Court of Honor (152x112 meters) is occupied by a green parterre: four large squares of cut grass lay here, two on each side of the central alley leading to the main entrance to the palace.

At first, this courtyard was called the Great Lower Courtyard. In the 16th century, it was decorated with a sculpture of a horse, which (according to one version) was brought from Italy by the artist F. Primaticcio. It was a plaster cast of an ancient Roman statue of Emperor Marcus Aurelius on horseback, installed by the great Michelangelo in the center of the Capitoline Square in Rome.

According to another version, as if in September 1560, Catherine de Medici asked Michelangelo to sketch a monument to her late husband, King Henry II, in the form of a horseman. The famous sculptor accepted the order, taking on only supervising work, and recommended the sculptor Daniele da Volterra as the performer, who made the stone model.

Soon a part of the monument was poured into bronze: the horse is very big size, much larger than the horse statue of Marcus Aurelius. In Italy, this was an event, because even here they did not see such a large sculpture. A plaster cast taken from it was taken to Fontainebleau and installed in the middle of the Great Lower Court. The rider on this plaster horse never appeared, and the Great Lower Courtyard, decorated with this sculpture, was renamed the White Horse Courtyard. In 1580, the plaster horse broke up, a new cast ordered in Rome also fell into disrepair over time and was removed in 1626.

This yard has another name - the yard of Farewell. In April 1814, Napoleon Bonaparte signed his abdication at Fontainebleau, and on the 20th of the same month, in the courtyard of the White Horse, he said goodbye to his old guard to go to the island of Elba. But less than a year later, in the same courtyard, he reviewed his devoted grenadiers, who helped him return to Paris in triumph.

One of the most significant monuments of the French Renaissance, the Francis I Gallery, is located in the Fontainebleau Palace. It is a very long and rather narrow room (64x6 meters), covered with a box vault. The walls of the Gallery are divided into two tiers: the lower one is sheathed with carved wooden panels, along which there are images of the coat of arms of France and the monograms of the king, enclosed in ovals.

The upper tier of the Gallery is decorated with frescoes and sculptural reliefs. High windows, going into the walls, form shallow niches: streams of light pouring through them illuminate the painting with its original frame and glide over the golden surface of oak parquets.

The Francis I Gallery was the first room in France to be decorated with monumental murals of a secular nature. Every single fresco is dedicated to Francis I - his victories, courage and piety, as well as his favor for the sciences and arts.

And the refrain to them is the repeated image of the coat of arms of Francis I - a salamander on fire, accompanied by the king's motto: "Nutrisco et extinguo" ("I feed and destroy"). The meaning of this motto was that a wise and just monarch sows good and good, while eradicating evil and ignorance.

Fourteen frescoes of the Gallery make up a single, finely thought-out cycle. The center of the large wall of the Gallery is occupied by the work of the Italian artist F. Primaticcio "Danae" - the main fresco of the entire ensemble. The artist skillfully inscribed a golden-haired beauty with an antique profile, spread out on pillows, in a thoughtful way, into a large oval. The painting of this fresco is immersed in tints of golden color, the effect of which is further enhanced by the gilded frame.

Some frescoes in the Francis I Gallery are paired, which allowed the artists to show the main idea in different aspects. For example, in the ensemble of frescoes "Education of Achilles" and "Venus Punishes Cupid" the idea of ​​state virtues is encrypted. All images are based on plots from mythology and the works of ancient authors, but the content of most of them was encrypted in allegories, the meaning of which has not been revealed to this day.

The gallery of Francis I was a connecting corridor that led to one of the buildings of the Oval Court. This yard was closed by the facades of outbuildings, monotonous in architecture, squeezing the main building. Now the Oval Courtyard is closed to the public, and lattice gates have been placed at the place of services.

One of the attractions of the Oval Court was the pavilion of St. Louis, which was subsequently reconstructed. This building stands on a massive plinth, its floors are marked by cornices and windows, and a steep roof with two symmetrical chimneys gives it an elegant harmony. The dormer window of the St. Louis Pavilion has also noticeably changed: now it is framed by strict antique pilasters and completed by a triangular pediment.

In the southwestern side of the Oval Court, the architect J. Lebreton placed the Golden Gate - a fortified entrance to the castle. They still seem unapproachable. The Golden Gate is an elegant, slightly elongated pavilion built of light stone and red brick. Its facade is clearly divided into three parts in length and height, and on the sides of its architect placed windows one above the other, completing each with a pediment lined with bricks.

A priceless relic of Fontainebleau from the time of Francis I is a clock installed on one of the buildings of the Oval Court. The watch is decorated monumental sculptures, personifying the seven planets, and the ancient Roman god Vulcan beats every hour with a hammer.

Known primarily for the magnificent Renaissance palace, the residence of many of the rulers of France. Built in the style of Italian Mannerism, the palace most of all resembles a row of intricate crystal wine glasses. different heights and forms: squat pot-bellied outbuildings - heavy whiskey glasses, elegant wide wings - solid vessels for red wine, and graceful slender turrets between them - frivolous champagne glasses. And the very name of the city is very coquettish: “fontaine bleau” means “beautiful fountain”.

The inhabitants of Fontainebleau refer to themselves as "les bellifontains" (Bellifontaines), and it is also recommended to use the adjective "bellifontain" when describing local phenomena.

The palace is surrounded by a wonderful park, and it, in turn, is a vast forest. In addition, Fontainebleau is one of the equestrian capitals of France: the hippodrome is located here and the largest international competitions in all equestrian disciplines are held.

In Paris, go to Gare de Lyon and take the train towards Montargis Sens. After about 44 minutes, get ready to get off at Fontainebleau Avon station. Trains run from 0:34 to 22:46 from Paris to Fontainebleau and from 05:24 to 22:40 in the opposite direction. The fare is 5-8 EUR.

You can also come to Fontainebleau from Marseille by high-speed train TGV. Travel time is about 4 hours.

From the station, the center of Fontainebleau can be reached by bus line AB, leaving every 15 minutes. Tariff - 1.70 EUR. To get to Fontainebleau Palace, you need to get off at the Château stop. Prices on the page are for August 2018.

Search for flights to Paris (nearest airport to Fontainebleau)

Weather in Fontainebleau

How to navigate in the city

The city of Fontainebleau is very compact and easy to navigate. the main street- rue Grande, connecting the palace with the opposite end of the city, passes through central square place Napoleon Bonaparte. Most of the shops, restaurants and cafes are also located here. From the center of Fontainebleau to the palace complex - no more than half an hour's walk.

The Tourist Office of Fontainebleau (rue Royale, 4) offers bicycles for rent at a price of EUR 5 per hour, EUR 15 for half a day and EUR 19 for the whole day.

Cuisine and Restaurants of Fontainebleau

Fontainebleau has many restaurants, eateries, cafes and bars, most of which are located on rue Grande. The cuisine is very different - from classic French (for example, in the restaurant at the Napoleon Hotel, one of the best in the city) to Mediterranean, Mexican and Japanese. For a bite to eat, go to establishments under the sign "brasserie", it is customary to order more solid dishes in restaurants. Be sure to try the local pastries and sweets.

fontainebleau

Shopping and stores

Local agricultural products are a matter of special pride for the people of Bellifontaine. The stalls of the food market, held on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays near the Church of Saint-Louis, are literally bursting with reference specimens of vegetables, fruits, root crops and greens. They also sell cheeses and dairy products, meat gastronomy, cakes, pies and buns for every taste.

In 1996, the National Culinary Association awarded food market fontainebleau honorary title Marché d'exception is an exceptional market.

In addition to souvenirs depicting the Palace of Fontainebleau, you can bring glassware, paintings, mosaics and stained glass, cheese and chocolate from here.

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Popular hotels in Fontainebleau

Entertainment and attractions

The palace complex of Fontainebleau is without a doubt the main attraction of the city. This includes the palace itself, courtyards and gardens and the palace park.

In the Fontainebleau Palace, a huge number of rooms are open for visitors, and it is simply impossible to get around them all. Among the pearls are the 16th-century Renaissance halls, the Grand Sovereigns' apartments of the 16th-19th centuries, literally bursting at the seams with luxury, gold and glitter, Napoleon's Inner Apartments and the Small Apartments (used by Napoleon, his wife and closest associates). Look also into the cozy boudoirs of Marie Antoinette and the apartments of the Pope (meaning Pius VII, who stayed here twice).

In the Palace of Fontainebleau, you can learn the old ball game - jeu de paume, a kind of volleyball with rackets.

In addition, there are four museums in the palace: the Chinese Museum of the Empress, the Napoleon Museum, the Painting Gallery (pay attention to the fresco "Royal Elephant") and the Furniture Gallery with a magnificent chest of drawers by Beneman.

Leaving the palace, go for a walk through the courtyards and gardens, arranged for any mood: the strict and slightly gloomy Oval Courtyard, the Fountain Courtyard with a motionless water surface of the pond, the English Garden immersed in greenery, Diana's chamber garden and the pacifying Pine Grotto.

And finally, for the tireless explorers of sights, the Fontainebleau complex has in store a 130-hectare park with an artificial canal, numerous bridges and marble statues of goddesses and nymphs.

Nature lovers can enjoy walks in the forest of Fontainebleau. There are 300 km of walking, equestrian and cycling routes for any level of physical fitness. A variety of species of animals, birds and plants will enchant even the most dedicated fan of urbanization. Thrill-seekers can practice rock climbing.

Equestrian sport is another highlight of the region. Races and races are regularly held at the Hippodrome de la Solle, and prestigious international competitions in show jumping and dressage are held in the arenas of Le Grand Parquet. For non-professionals, horse riding lessons and horseback riding in the surrounding area are offered.

You can also visit the Museum in the city itself. military history and the only Prison Museum in Europe (pay attention to the letters from the dungeons of eminent prisoners: Francois Villon, Mirabeau and the Marquis de Sade).

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And associated with the life of 34 monarchs of France, including Napoleon Bonaparte. At the same time, the Palace of Fontainebleau is not inferior to Versailles in luxury, but at the same time it undeservedly enjoys much less popularity. Napoleon Bonaparte awarded the estate the title of official country imperial residence and called Fontainebleau "the real abode of kings, the house of centuries."

The area where the estate was built is famous for its beauty, which the French monarchs could not fail to notice. They seemed to be attracted by the local nature and beautiful forests suitable for hunting. At the beginning of the 12th century there was a small hunting yard here, then a fortress was built, and in the middle of the 16th century magnificent palace. Thus, the history of Fontainebleau is associated with the names of dozens of monarchs, from Louis VI (Tolstoy) to Napoleon III. Four monarchs were born in Fontainebleau Palace.

There are many legends about the estate and, according to one of them, otherworldly forces exist in the palace, which influenced the decision-making of kings. Whatever it was, but in Fontainebleau all the kings felt more confident and even more powerful.

How to get to Fontainebleau

The most convenient way to go to Fontainebleau is by train. Trains depart from Gare de Lyon. Tickets can be bought at the terminals. ATTENTION! There are 2 types of terminals at the Gare de Lyon. You need brown terminals (there are only 3-4 of them), they sell tickets for regional trains. If you have any questions, please contact the Information Desk. Get off at Fontainebleau-Avon station. Ticket price 8.85 euros (2018). The journey takes about 40 minutes. Timetables, prices and tickets can be purchased at www.transilien.com.

Opening hours of the Palace of Fontainebleau 2019

• Daily except Tuesday
• April to September 9:30-18:00
• October to March 9:30-17:00
• Days off - January 1, May 1 and December 25
• Entrance to the museum closes 45 minutes before the indicated time
• The ballroom closes 1 hour before the indicated time
• The Chinese Museum and Papal Apartments may be closed between 11:30 and 14:30.

Ticket prices for Fontainebleau 2019

Ticket prices for the palace:

• Adult ticket 12 euros
• Children under 18 free of charge
• Young people under 25 living in the EU - free of charge
• Young people under 25 years old, NOT residing in the EU - 10 euros

Admission is free for all categories of visitors every first Sunday of the month, except for July and August.

Entrance to gardens and parks is free.

Name

The name Fontainebleau (French "Fontainebleau") is translated as "beautiful fountain". The estate received this name from a local spring with a clean healing water. There is a legend according to which Napoleon Bonaparte drank a glass of water from this spring every morning, which gave him strength.

From the history

In 1137, Louis VII, who came to power, built a fortress here, which was typical for that time, and later, under Francis I in 1527, a Renaissance palace was erected, which is distinguished unique architecture and magnificent interior decoration.

Francis I was a great diplomat and, by and large, he had no one to defend himself against. Therefore, he left only one tower from the fortress, and the palace, built according to the project of Jules Lebreton, was distinguished by grandeur, which emphasized the power and authority of the king.

For Fontainebleau, the reign of Francis I was truly a golden age. The estate has become a center of French and foreign art. In addition to Lebreton, architects Pierre Chambige and Castore and famous masters from Italy - Primaticcio, Rosso and Cellini - also worked here. The joint work of the best European architects, sculptors and masters of painting laid the foundation for the world-famous Fontainebleau school.
For several centuries, Fontainebleau was completed and changed in accordance with the taste and desire of each of the monarchs, so here you can see buildings of different styles, characteristic of different times (from the 15th to the 19th century).

The palace became a favorite for Napoleon Bonaparte, who came to power. The office where the ruler made important decisions, the Red Salon, where he signed the renunciation of power, as well as the horseshoe-shaped staircase leading to the Court of Farewell, standing on which Napoleon said goodbye to his soldiers, have been preserved.

Many tourists pay attention only to the palace, however, Fontainebleau is a whole complex consisting of a palace, three gardens and four courtyards (Oval and White Horse, Service and Fountain), as well as a park and forest. In addition, there are several museums here, among them - the Museum of Prisons and the Museum of Military Art.

Gardens of Fontainebleau

• The Palace of Fontainebleau is surrounded by gardens, the smallest of which is Diana's garden, which got its name from the name of the statue depicting the goddess of the hunt - Diana with a deer
• The English garden appeared under Francis I and then it was called the Pine Garden. The transformation of the garden was carried out under other rulers. IN English garden You will walk along winding alleys, see a picturesque river and an artificial rock, as well as exotic plants
• The parterre garden is the exact opposite of Diana's Garden. Now it's favorite place tourists walks. The layout created by the gardener Le Notre during the time of Louis XIV has been preserved here. Unlike the overgrown Garden of Diana, there are smooth paths, clear lines of lawns and neatly trimmed shrubs, and in summer 45,000 flowering plants will delight you.

Behind the parterre, a park begins, along the entire length of which, under Henry IV, a 1.2 km long canal was dug. The park is decorated with statues of goddesses and marble bridges.

On weekends, Parisians are attracted by the forest surrounding the gardens and Fontainebleau Park. Almost 300 km of walking paths are arranged here, and in the shade of centuries-old trees, in peace and quiet, you can perfectly relax from the worries and bustle of Paris.

In front of the main facade of the palace there is a huge Court of Honor, which was originally called the Lower Court, then it was renamed the Court of the White Horse, since knightly tournaments were held here and a plaster sculpture of a horse was installed. Later, after the abdication of Napoleon in 1814, this courtyard was called the Court of Farewell.

Gallery of Francis I

The gallery of Francis I was created in the middle of the 16th century, that is, much earlier than the galleries in the Louvre and Versailles. It was the first art Gallery in Europe. Here you will see frescoes and paintings, carved wood panels and stucco, skillfully made by European masters. The Francis I Gallery also contained the most mysterious work by Leonardo da Vinci - Mona Lisa - Gioconda.

The gallery leads from the chambers of the king to the chapel of the Holy Trinity. The construction of the chapel was begun under Francis I and completed under Louis XIII.

The painting of the chapel, which has survived to this day, was performed by the French artist Martin Freminet.

Interior and Small apartments of Napoleon

The former imperial apartments keep the memory of Napoleon I and his family members. The inner apartments include an office where the ruler made decisions and his private quarters. Here you will see portraits and household items, furniture and valuable works of art.

In the Throne Room (before the revolution it was the king's bedroom), Napoleon's chair of 1805 and the table at which the emperor took the oath were preserved. In the Red Salon, the emperor renounced power, declaring that he was ready to leave France and even die if it was for the good of the country.

Pay attention to the textile trim and the many columns, stucco and rich sculptural compositions. All decoration is made in the Empire style.

Small apartments, where Napoleon rested and received guests, can only be visited with a guided tour.

Ballroom

After the death of Francis I, his son Henry II came to power. It was under him, under the guidance of the masters Abatto and Primaticcio, that the Ballroom was decorated. All its decoration is dedicated to the king's favorite, the influential Diane de Poitiers. The abundance of sunlight makes the Ballroom look golden. It was used for celebrations until the 19th century, that is, for about 600 years and was a witness to many historical events.

In the decoration of the hall, as in the decoration of the Galleria Francesco I, one can see a colorful combination of frescoes and wood panels. On one of them it is easy to notice the monogram of Diane de Poitiers - three crossed crescents.

Fontainebleau official website

Fontainebleau is much older than Versailles, it is a kind of symbol of the history of France. It is impossible to remain indifferent to its picturesque nature, architecture and works of art.

According to the French historian Jules Michelet, Fontainebleau is “a delightful last refuge where you can relax and enjoy what is still left of life ... Ask me where I would look for solace if misfortune befell me, and I will answer - I would go to Fontainebleau. But even being happy, I will also go to Fontainebleau.

For the first time in the historical chronicle of France, records about this castle appeared in the 12th century. There were forests rich in game, which were often visited by kings Louis VI and then Louis VII. The charter of Louis VI testifies that these places were the royal domain. With their retinue, the kings hunted in these places, so a royal hunting pavilion appeared there. However, Louis VII of the Capetian dynasty, nicknamed the Young, was reputed to be adamant in matters of justice. Having learned once that these lands partially belonged to the peasant, from whom it was illegally taken away, he decisively ordered the building to be abolished.

The matter was "corrected" by King Saint Louis, who, traveling around Fontainebleau, was delighted with the beauty of these places. He decided to rebuild a massive donjon, and soon a castle of Fontainebleau. France can rightfully place this chateau in one of the first places in a long list of castles, if only in terms of the number of kings who have visited it. Judge for yourself, its history begins from the reign of Louis Tolstoy (1081-1137), and the “last” monarch who stayed in it and remade it at his own discretion was Napoleon III (1808-1873).

Miraculous source

Fontainebleau got its curious name thanks to the wonderful spring that existed during the construction of the castle, but completely disappeared at the beginning of the 18th century. According to one version, once during the royal hunt, one of the dogs of the hunting kennel raced along the trail wild beast and found a spring. This source was called Blo, the same as the name of the dog. Another version says that the area was called "Fontene Bleaudi" after the name of one of the owners of these places, a certain Blody. Fontainebleau in French "Fontaine-Belle-Eau", transformed over time into "Fontainebleau", that is, "wonderful source."

Fontainebleau "saw" many French rulers, to be more precise - the 34th. And many of them considered it their duty to remake the castle: to add buildings, expand the territory, arrange gardens, parks, courtyards, demolish the “old” in view of its unsuitability, change the “face” palace ensemble. It is for this reason that Fontainebleau Castle has a rich style from an architectural point of view. It miraculously combined in successful harmony several styles at once: classic, Renaissance, medieval elements. Not for nothing that Napoleon I said about the castle of Fontainebleau that he is “a haven of centuries”. More precisely, you can’t imagine!

FrancisI

Despite the regular rebuilding of the castle, its “golden age” falls on the reign of Francis I. By his ascension to the throne, Fontainebleau was already pretty “shabby”: firstly, from old age, and secondly, from the fact that the castle had been empty for a long time. King Francis I did not remain indifferent to the local landscapes, to the successful location of the castle, and to the fact that his ancestors lived in it for several centuries. In addition, the king wisely decided to resume old tradition royal hunts, and Fontainebleau was the best suited for these purposes.

In 1528, the king resolutely began to gather craftsmen to restore the former hunting castle. The best of the best were called to the court:

• Architects;
• Graphic designers;
• Sculptors;
• Bricklayers;
• Master craftsmen;
• Gardeners.

Work began to boil in earnest, and soon, instead of a hunting chateau in medieval style grew a magnificent royal castle. As a reminder of the antiquity of the ensemble, Francis I ordered that only the ancient donjon be left. Subsequently, Fontainebleau was repeatedly remade, but this "transformation" was the most epoch-making for the building.

“We have decided to establish our residence here in the future, in order to enjoy the named area and the hunting of foxes, red and black, which are found in the forest of Biera and its environs.” So spoke Francis I, and his words never differed from deeds. The abandoned castle was soon resurrected. There were new kennels, a hunting yard, a house for the royal guard and the royal stable.

It was during the finishing work luxurious palace the so-called "school of Fontainebleau" appeared. The king invited prominent architects and craftsmen of that time to decorate;

• Lebreton;
• Chambizh;
• Castore;
• Primaticcio;
• Cellini;
• Rosso.

Successful interaction in the work of French and Italian masters gave amazing results and a new direction in the art of decorative interior decoration. The same Benvenuto Cellini spent five whole years in the castle, creating masterpieces for Fontainebleau, like a cameo with the image of the goddess Diana on the bas-relief of the salon of Francis I. However, not all of his works "settled" in the castle, many went to other museums in France and the world.

As a tribute to the active nature of Francis I, who all his life favored art, science and the well-being of his own people, an entire Gallery in Fontainebleau, named after him, is dedicated to him. This is a long room connecting the buildings of the palace, the walls of which are decorated with amazingly beautiful allegory frescoes, monograms and coats of arms. All of them are dedicated exclusively to this wise and just king, whose motto was the saying "I nourish and destroy."

Bloom times, sunset times

Since the time of Francis I, such famous paintings as "Gioconda" and "John the Baptist", written by Leonardo da Vinci himself, have been kept in Fontainebleau. Today these canvases are kept in the Louvre.

After the death of Francis I, the country was ruled by his son, Henry II. He also honored Fontainebleau with attention. Its huge Ballroom has been called one of the wonders of the castle. The room, covered by the original vault, occupied 300 square meters in area with windows overlooking the Oval Courtyard and the beautiful palace garden. The architect of the Ballroom was Gilles Lebreton, and his successor was the Renaissance master Philibert Delorme.

The next significant reconstruction of the castle was carried out by King Henry IV, famous for his enthusiasm and love to improve everything. However, after his death, the castle was empty and dilapidated for many years. Louis XIII almost did not take care of the palace and its park, but he was very fond of the wife of the king - the same Anna of Austria, whose times were wonderfully described in his works by Alexander Dumas. By the way, the action of his novel The Three Musketeers partially takes place in Fontainebleau.

During the reign of the Sun King Louis XIV, the entire royal court moved to a new residence - Versailles. And the next kings came only in the autumn period. True, Queen Marie Antoinette often visited Fontainebleau, and her husband Louis XVI remade the park for her, the architecture of which has survived to this day.

The former grandeur of the castle was returned by Napoleon I, who restored it and made it his country residence. Here he had to give up the throne. In April 1814, in the Red Salon of the castle, he signed his abdication, and a few days later he touchingly said goodbye to his guards. Then he kissed the banner and delivered a speech to the soldiers in order to effectively go to ... exile. After this event, the Courtyard of the White Horse, where the "farewell" took place, was called "La cour des adieux" ("Courtyard of farewells"). True, in 1815, Napoleon once again visited Fontainebleau: then history gave him another 100 days of reign.

Priceless casket of history

The castle has experienced moments of prosperity and oblivion over the years of its existence. Many historical events took place in it, including the birth, wedding ceremonies and death of monarchs. At one time, it even served as a place of detention for the pontiff Pius VII, who hated the castle with all his heart. In the 20th century, Fontainebleau served as the headquarters of NATO, and in 1981 UNESCO included it in the List of World Heritage Sites.

Today it is visited by up to 300 thousand visitors a year. In 2009, the French government decided to restore the castle, and allocated more than 2 million euros for this purpose. Fontainebleau - a priceless box, which over time was filled with unique works of artists, sculptors, interior and landscape designers today is of great historical value.

Especially for Lilia-Travel.RU - Anna Lazareva