From the 12th to the 18th century, a number of French kings passed through the Fontainebleau Castle. As it's free to access with the Nagivo Pass, this castle is visited by not only tourists but as well as local Parisians. It's particularily famous because Napoleon I used to live here back in the day.
You'll see this beautiful chamber downstairs from the entrance. The luxuries such as antiquity and ceramics came from China in the 19th century when The United Kingdom and France took the capital city.
This is the chamber that Louis XVI gifted to Marie Antoinette, and decorated with exotic Turkish artifacts. Many pieces of furniture were looted during the French Revolution, and Napoleon redecorated it for his wife, Josephine.
Queens used to use this personal room, and the right side, you can see the bed which Marie Antoinette ordered before the Revolution, but never used.
The chamber where the only throne remains in France. The king's symbols like a sceptre, sword, crown, etc. are are decorated with gold.
Previously it was used as the king's bedroom but Napoleon redesigned the room for his throne.
The period when the castle was rebuilt by François I was the 16th century while in Italia, Renaissance was born. François I, nationally patronized literature and art so that France wasn't behind in culture.
In addition, this gallery was where the Mona Lisa was displayed.
It's the longest chamber made up of 80 meters in the castle. Diane is the Roman name of the Greek goddess of war, Artemis. For the history behind her name, you can find her myth painted on the ceiling.
This gallery was used as a jail during The French Revolution, and is also called "Queen's Gallery" leading to the Queen's chamber.
Originally used by Regent Anne d'Autriche, but since the Pope slept twice in this chamber, it became the Pope's apartment. Napoleon III and Queen Eugenie ornamented this room for the Pope, especially for the portrait of the Pope, they called David who was one of the best painters in the century to do it.
Every April you can see a reenactment and meet Napoleon I and people of the 18th century in Fontainebleau castle. In 2019, it will be the 20th and 21th April.
Words by Soonmin Hong
Photographs by Vincent Sacau
Address : Le Château de Fontainebleau, 77300 Fontainebleau
Transportation : Transilien R (Gare de Lyon - Fontainebleau Avon), take a bus (about 2hours)
Opening hours :
Castle - 9:30 - 17:00 (October - March, last entrance 16:15) / 9:30 - 18:00 (April - September, last entrance 17:15) / closed every Monday, January 1st, March 1st, Christmas
Garden - 9:00 - 17:00 (November - Febrary) / 9:00 - 18:00 (March, April, October) / 9:00 - 19:00 (May - September)
Park - 24 hours
Entrance fee : Castle - 12 euros, student 10 euros / Park & Garden - free