Chateau de Fontainebleau is one of the largest chateaus, or palaces, in France.Located in the commune of Fontainebleau, Paris the chateau is a historic royal residence. It is famous for its architecture as well as its significance in French history.The medieval castle that dates back to the 12th century has been a preferred residence of the French Kings. Starting with Louis VII, Chateau de Fontainebleau has seen the reign of many a monarch, and has changed and evolved with time. From incorporating different styles of architecture to remodeling and expanding the royal gardens, succeeding generations of rulers built much out of a hunting lodge in the woods. Read on to find out how Chateau de Fontainebleau came to take its present renaissance-cum-classical form!Chateau De Fontainebleau’s HistoryChateau de Fontainebleau has a tumultuous history that involves kings, wars, and invasions. From Louis VII to Napoleon Bonaparte, this palace has been at the center of many important events in French history.The first historical record of a fortified castle at the present site dates back to 1137. It is believed that the initial structure of the chateau was built by Louis VI or Philippe I in the 11th century.The original site of the chateau was occupied by a hunting lodge in the middle ages. Louis VII was the one who discovered it and turned it into his hunting cabin within the woods.By the time his grandson, Louis IX, started using the place, the lodge had taken the form of a medieval castle fit for a king’s hunting trip.During the time Louis IX used the castle, it had a religious hospital and a convent, called the Couvent des Trinitaires.Philippe le Bel, Philippe VI, Charles V, and Charles VI are some of the rulers who used the medieval chateau during the middle ages after it had taken the form of a castle.The chateau remained abandoned during the Hundred Years War as the Île-de-France was under English occupation. This was during the late middle ages.François I, or Francis I, was the monarch who brought the aura of renaissance to the chateau in the 16th century. The palace, as it stands today, began taking form at this point.The palace was briefly captured and used as an army headquarters during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870. This was also the downfall of the French Empire.Empress Eugenie, the palace’s final royal tenant, paid a visit on June 26, 1920.The palace of Fontainebleau was again occupied during World War II by the Germans. After the war, the palace remained the headquarters of NATO’s European operations until 1966.The chateau was restored by President Charles DeGaulle and his minister, Andre Malraux, during the period 1964-1968.Finally, the palace was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1981.Chateau De Fontainebleau’s SignificanceFrom being an experiment chamber for the whims and fancies of the Monarchy to bearing the consequences of war and revolution, this palace has seen and withstood it all. It has been especially significant in the life of Napoleon Bonaparte.Prior to renouncing the throne on April 4, 1814 Napoleon spent the last days of his reign at Chateau de Fontainebleau.It was in the Courtyard of Honor of the palace of Fontainebleau that Napoleon Bonaparte gave his emotional farewell speech to the Old Guard, just before his abdication.Napoleon described the palace as the ’true residence of Kings, the house of the centuries’ in memoirs written during the period of his exile.Different rooms of the palace were renovated and decorated grandly to make a prison for Pope Pius VII, who came to Paris to crown Napoleon as Emperor of France. He was brought to Fontainebleau in 1812.The palace has been used for military purposes at several points in history, such as the initial regime of Napoleon I, the Franco-Prussian War, and World War II.The Chinese Museum of the chateau exhibits items gifted to the Monarch from Asian countries and plunder of war. It was personally designed by Empress Eugenie, Queen of the last Emperor Napoleon III. This exhibit was the final contribution of a reigning queen to the chateau’s interior.Architectural Facts About Chateau De FontainebleauThe palace of Fontainebleau has been at the heart of the French Sovereign up until the 19th century, constantly undergoing architectural changes. How did a fortified castle grow into an embellished palace? Read on to find out!Francis I was the king who brought the Italian renaissance style to Fontainebleau. The architect Gilles Le Breton oversaw the transformation of the palace, and several artists, sculptors, and furniture makers were brought in from Italy to decorate the chateau as you see it today. It is believed that the very first grotto in France was also built during this period.The famous Galerie François I, or the Gallery of Francis I, was constructed during this period. It was originally a walkway that connected the king’s apartments to the Trinity Chapel, which was later made a part of the royal apartments during the renaissance refurbishment of the palace.After the death of Francis I, his son Henry II and wife Catherine de’ Medici continued the works of the palace. The iconic horseshoe-shaped staircase of the palace first came into existence under their command.The wing of the palace known today as La Belle Cheminée, named for its elaborate chimneys, was designed by the architect Primaticcio under the orders of Catherine de’ Medici.King Henry IV made many revisions to the palace such as the extension of the Oval Courtyard and a new wing for the kitchens and residence of court officials. He also commissioned a long canal 3,937 ft (1,200 m) in length, 60 years before Louis XIV built the grand canal at Versailles. All the facades of the palace had been redesigned too.King Louis XVI made the palace more spacious to accommodate his courtiers. He also built a Turkish-style salon, a games room, and a boudoir in the arabesque style for Queen Marie-Antoinette.Post the French Revolution, Napoleon I reorganized the architecture and interior of the palace to suit the new Empire style. He refurnished Chateau de Fontainebleau, which had been pillaged during the Revolution.One of the most significant transformations commissioned by Napoleon was turning the King’s bedroom into the throne room. The repurposed throne room is intact with all its furnishings even today!Did You Know…The palace at Fontainebleau is an exceptional structure that has culture, history, and art etched into every nook and cranny. Here are some interesting anecdotes and facts related to the grand palace:King Louis XIV spent the most time at the Fontainebleau palace amongst all the monarchs. He liked to hunt there as a getaway from life at the French court.The jeu de paume, or tennis court, built by King Henry IV is the only historic court still operational in France. Supposedly, it is the largest such court too.King Louis XVI and his queen, Marie-Antoinette, visited Chateau de Fontainebleau for the last time in 1786. This was on the eve of the momentous French Revolution.In 1986, the Museum of Napoleon I was created. This exhibit showcases the King and his family and includes many of his personal belongings.The art and architecture of Chateau de Fontainebleau, called the ‘School of Fontainebleau’, has been a major influence on French artists. This form of decoration was first developed during the renaissance makeover of the chateau by Francis I.The kings and queens of France who lived at Fontainebleau constantly modified and redeveloped its gardens, resulting in the English style landscape gardens and parks you see today!
Chateau de Fontainebleau is one of the largest chateaus, or palaces, in France.
