Day-Trip to Fontainebleau from
Paris
Less celebrated than Versailles, Vaux-le-Vicomte or certain chateaux of
the Loire valley such as Chambord, the chateau
de Fontainebleau is
nevertheless equally interesting and magnificent. Take a full day to
visit the chateau, and then lose yourself in the neighbouring
forest as
well, one of the most beautiful locations for those looking to escape
the capital for a day. At just 60km from Paris the forest was one of
the most favoured hunting reserves for French royalty since the
16th
century. At the behest of François 1st the area was transformed
into a royal palace in an appropriately flamboyant 16th century style.
The work was carried out by a troop of Italian artists commissioned by
the King. Amongst them Rosso il Fiorentino, a student of Michelangelo,
was responsible for creating several extraordinary frescoes.
Highlights in the history of the palace include; the birth of Louis
XIII in 1601, the revoking of the Edict of Nantes in 1685 and the
marriage of Louis XV in 1725. Napoleon and Louis-Philippe also spent
small fortunes here on maintenance and the occasional holiday. The
central court is nicknamed La Cour des Adieux (the court of goodbyes)
in homage to Napoleon who came here to say goodbye to his reign before
his final exile. Practical
informations
Take the train from Gare de Lyon
(journey of around 45 minutes). At
the Gare de Fontainebleau take the green bus, line A will take you
direct to the chateau.