Palace Fontainebleau
“The true home of kings, the house of ages”
(Napoleon in Saint Helena, August 1816)
With over 1500 rooms at the heart of 130 acres of parkland and gardens, Fontainebleau is the only royal and imperial château to have been continuously inhabited for seven centuries. A visit to Fontainebleau opens up an unparalleled view of French history, art history and architecture.
Located in the heart of seventeen thousand hectare forest, the palace of Fontainebleau was once one of the privileged residences of the sovereigns who ruled France. The love of the hunt made it into a regularly visited residence., and all of its occupants had their hearts set on improving it through new buildings or new decorations. This resulted in the present profusion of courtyards and buildings with different decorative and architectural styles.
Only one tower remained of the original 12th-century castle. This tower was probable the location of the bedchamber of the kings .