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Chateau de Fontainebleau

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Ile-de-France

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Chateau de Fontainebleau

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About Chateau de Fontainebleau

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Here is a tourist description of the Château de Fontainebleau, the "true home of kings," ideal for a guide, highlighting its rich history and its connection to cinema. The Château de Fontainebleau: A Home for Centuries Nicknamed by Napoleon "the true home of kings, the house of centuries," Fontainebleau is the only château inhabited by all French sovereigns from the 12th to the 19th centuries. This sprawling palace is an open-air architectural book, where the refinement of the Renaissance—exemplified by the famous François I Gallery and its Italianate frescoes—coexists with the majesty of the Empire. Its horseshoe-shaped staircase has become the global emblem of this UNESCO World Heritage site. But Fontainebleau is not just a static museum; it is an exceptional playground for the seventh art. Its paved courtyards and sandstone forest have hosted numerous film shoots, including swashbuckling epics where Jean-Paul Belmondo displayed his full panache. The spirit of "Bébel" is palpable in this blend of historical prestige and raw energy, particularly in the action scenes that exploit the verticality of its facades. Between the Gardens of Diana, the Grand Canal, and the Emperor's apartments, a visit to Fontainebleau is a complete immersion into the inner workings of power and the magic of cinema.

Tip for an even more exceptional visit.

The Chinese Museum of Empress Eugénie: An Oriental Treasure at Fontainebleau Established in 1863 in the Gros Pavillon, the Chinese Museum is one of the most fascinating features of the estate. This private reception room was designed to house Empress Eugénie's personal collections, composed of diplomatic gifts and precious objects looted from the Summer Palace in Beijing. Beneath richly decorated ceilings, one discovers a dazzling array of fine porcelain, precious lacquerware, bronzes, and carved jade. This imperial cabinet of curiosities, with its hushed and exotic atmosphere, offers a striking contrast to the rest of the palace. It is a unique testament to the 19th-century taste for the Orient, an intimate and mysterious interlude that transports visitors thousands of miles away from the paved courtyards of France.

10 Key Dates

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1137

The first mention: King Louis VII signs a document at Fontainebleau. Originally, it was just a medieval hunting rendezvous in the heart of a game-rich forest.
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1/6/1268

Birth of Philip IV the Fair in Fontainebleau and destroyer of the Templars.
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1293

Birth of Philip VI in Fontainebleau and first Valois king.
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1528

The Renaissance of Francis I: The king decided to transform the old castle into a modern palace. He brought in Italian artists (Primatice, Rosso Fiorentino) and created the School of Fontainebleau, blending frescoes and stucco.
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19/1/1544

Birth of Francis II in Fontainebleau and first husband of Mary Stuart.
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19/9/1551

Birth of Henry III in Fontainebleau and last Valois king.
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27/9/1601

The birth of Louis XIII The future king was born. His father, Henri IV, had carried out major works (creation of the Offices courtyard and the canal), doubling the surface area of ??the palace.
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27/9/1601

Birth of Louis XIII in Fontainebleau and king of Richelieu.
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18/10/1685

The Edict of Fontainebleau: Louis XIV here signs the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, prohibiting Protestantism in France, a major political and religious turning point.
LOUIX XIV
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20/4/1814

The Farewell at Fontainebleau: Napoleon I abdicates before his imperial guard before going into exile on the island of Elba
NAPOLEON

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cbonnet

2026-01-27

star star star star star

"Le château est immense, limite plus authentique que Versailles. L'escalier en fer à cheval à l'entrée, c'est la star du lieu, il est trop impressionnant. Par contre, prépare-toi à marcher, c'est un vrai labyrinthe à l'intérieur et on s'y perd un peu. Un bon mix entre histoire et grandeur."

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