Visiting the Château de Fontainebleau is an unforgettable experience for anyone who loves nature and history. The château is a relic of French history and is located in the Loire Valley, which is one of the most beautiful areas in the country. In addition, it is also home to the Django Reinhardt Festival. Whether you want to take a tour of the castle or simply relax in its gardens, you'll find everything you need here.
Opening hours
Located within 130 hectares of parklands, Chateau de Fontainebleau is an exquisite French palace. This palatial building has been a royal residence for French kings since the 12th century.
The palace was originally built as a modest twelfth-century royal residence by Louis VIII. Over the centuries, each king added architectural flair to the palace, making it a remarkably beautiful example of French architecture.
There are several things to see at the chateau. One of the most notable is the sovereign apartments, designed for Napoleon's court. The inner apartment contains a bed fashioned after that of Marie Antoinette. The other notable thing is the opulent French gardens.
The palace is the only one in France that has continuously been inhabited by royalty for over 700 years. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Museums
Originally a hunting lodge in a forest, Chateau de Fontainebleau has been home to French royalty for eight centuries. It is also home to several museums. Some rooms are only accessible on a guided tour. You can take an audio guide, which is available in several languages.
The museum at Fontainebleau focuses on the life and times of Napoleon Bonaparte. It contains personal belongings from Napoleon's time, such as his cradle and books. You can see the embassy of Mongkut, which was sent to France in 1861. The reception was held in June of 1861.
The palace is divided into four museums. There is the Napoleon I Museum, the French Revolution Museum, the Napoleon Bonaparte Museum, and the China Museum. Each of these museums contains a different collection of art and memorabilia. There are 30,000 works of art and paintings in the galleries. The museum is also home to world-class temporary exhibitions.
Gardens
Located in a park-like setting, the gardens at Chateau de Fontainebleau are among the largest in Europe. The gardens have undergone significant alterations over the centuries.
French renaissance garden designers often sought a connection to the sky or the monuments around them. They emphasized symmetry, proportion and the space between elements. Hydrology influenced the design of fountains and cascades.
The Fontainebleau garden was commissioned by Francois I. It was made to rival the gardens at the great Italian courts. It also served to foster Renaissance culture in northern Europe.
The main difference between the French and Italian renaissance gardens is the emphasis on perspective and the development of greater control over nature. Unlike Italian gardens, the French gardens were designed as extensions to the chateaux, featuring statuary, grottoes and long waterways.
Django Reinhardt Festival
Located in Fontainebleau, France, the Django Reinhardt Festival is an annual jazz music festival that pays tribute to the eponymous guitar legend. Held at the Chateau de Fontainebleau in the Bois d'Hyver prairie, the festival will feature four days of music.
The festival has been held for nearly 50 years. The first edition took place in 1968. The festival has grown to become a major jazz event, with more than 20 groups performing on the two stages. The lineup includes performances from around the world, including soul, jazz, funk, and world music.
In addition to the performances on the two stages, the festival will also feature the Guitare Festival. The festival features more than twenty different musicians, including Melody Gardot, Jamie Cullum, Magma, Anne Paceo, and Thomas Dutronc.
Relic of French history
Located in the heart of France, the Chateau de Fontainebleau is a relic of French history. The Chateau is a royal palace that has been used by French kings for over seven centuries.
The Fontainebleau castle is surrounded by a forest that offers hiking and horseback riding opportunities. The Fontainebleau forest is one of the largest forests in the region.
The interiors of the Chateau were decorated by Louis XIV, who made significant modifications. He modified the apartments of the king and Madame de Maintenon. During this period, Louis XIV spent more days at Fontainebleau than any other monarch. He also modified the garden. The original gardens were composed of square flowerbeds separated by a canal.
The Fontainebleau style consisted of allegorical paintings on moulded plasterwork. These works were reproduced in prints. It became popular throughout northern Europe.
