Sunday 7 October 2012

Fontainebleau Château


Hello dear friends!
Each time I visit my family
in France, I like to learn something
more about it's history.

A wonderful way to do this is by
visiting some of the great chateaux.

This time it was Château Fontainebleau
only 40 minutes from where my daughter lives.


This beautiful chateau set in 50,000 acres
of park lands and forest was used as the
hunting palace of the Kings of France.



The Francis 1 gallery has exceptionally opulent decor.
It was built following the return of King Francis from Italy,
and became a showcase for the Rennaissance in France.

The palace galleries were spaces in which
the Court could socialise and promenade.

It was not hard for me to imagine
feminine courtiers in crinolined gowns
sweeping through this gallery
in search of
tête-à-têtes, liaisons and intrigue!



 Each and every room in the chateau
houses an exceptional collection
of works of art representing
the stylistic and aesthetic tastes
of those who lived
in it's apartments and decided
on their decor.
Including ornaments and furnishings
these works provide
a fascinating art history lesson.



However, for 7 and 8 year olds
there is a limit to how long they
can be on their "best behaviour"
wandering from room to room
looking at old paintings!

So we changed the pace
and all went for a fun ride
in this horse drawn carriage
through part of the estate.
All the time the girls
pretending to be
Princesses from the Chateau!!

Vicki Archer of French Essence
is having a wonderful
Giveaway here
and
Ria of It's Me
has another Giveaway here




Thank you dear friends
for popping in!
Wishing my new followers
very big
WELCOME
I'll be over to see you very soon.

Take care and
be kind to one another
au revoir
Shane






26 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness Shane!
    What an amazing chateau with it's size, architecture and opulence!
    It is hard to imagine the lifestyle of some of these kings and their entourage!
    Something the likes of which we would never see in our homelands!
    It must be wonderful to hold the wonderful memories of time spent visiting these places.
    Thanks for sharing these with us and, oh, love that chandlier - incredible!
    Love and hugs,
    Suzy

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  2. Hello Shane:
    What a splendid day out. We have, in our time, visited many French chateau but have never had the opportunity to see Fontainebleau and so this post is especially interesting. It is certainly a very impressive house from all that you say and show.

    We can too well imagine that the ride around the grounds was particularly enjoyed by the young princesses - rather more so than looking at old pictures!

    Thank you so much for the welcome; we shall hope to be able to do the same for you.

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  3. hello Shane..such lovely splendor, amazing that it has been so well preserved..sounds like the little ones did really well on such a tour! Have a joyful week❤

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  4. What a beautiful place to visit. And I'm glad there was something for the little ones as well.

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  5. Shane, Thanks for sharing these lovely photos of France. You are so blessed to experience this amazing country! I just adore and look forward to seeing what you are up to next! xo's Pam

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  6. Deareast Shane,

    Even for us adults there comes a time that our eyes get saturated by all the 'grandeur'... It is such a sharp contrast to the common man's life at that time.
    Can't blame those girls and it was a smart option for taking the horse drawn carriage and tour the estate. Fun for everyone.
    Thanks for sharing and for you it is great to relive fond memories...
    Hugs to you,
    Mariette

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  7. Fontainebleu is a wonderful place to visit. So glad you had such a good day.

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  8. You are right, Shane, beautiful historic houses bring us more in touch with history then just reading about it. x

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  9. So lovely. The craftsmen and artists who did this work would surely be proud to know it is still being appreciated after such a long time. I wonder if the fine homes and buildings of today will be preserved or if somebody will renovate and modernise them. In some ways the original money was wasted because the building seems like an indulgence for the rich, but in other ways the money was not wasted at all. Craftsmen had employment. Skills were refined and passed on. And something of great beauty was created which still gives pleasure. Nothing is all good; but nothing is all bad either. I will never see these places in person, but I love hearing from others who have done so. To go with children is doubly impressive.

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  10. Dear Shane,
    I visited France a few times,but never saw Fontainebleu-
    what an amazing place, and history,-and yes we ar lucky here in the European and Scandinavian countries, to be such old countries, to have a history reaching far,far behind, and filled with kings and queens, fantastic castles,and magic stories.
    You had a beautiful day, there with the girls, and your family, -isen`t it wonderful with such lovely memmories!
    Thankyou for great photoes,Shane.
    And -hugs from me.
    Dorthe

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  11. Shane, sweet friend, your images are gorgeous! I truly love when you share your trips to France with us. xo Rhonda

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  12. Stunning! another one to add to my 'to do' list, just beautiful, what amazing inspiration! Mx

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  13. aaaah... all the gorgeous chateaux to see all over France!! This is one I have not seen so I thank you for sharing it. I'm always in awe of the opulence, the architecture and the furnishings-just stunning!

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  14. Oh wow, what a beautiful chateau. I have put it on my to visit list, it can be done from here. Thank you for the tip.

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  15. Your photos are fabulous Shane!!!
    What a gorgeous spot to enjoy...

    We've just visited a grand estate in North Carolina fashioned after a French Chateau, but it's all American made. They did not allow photos inside (imagine me twitching LOL) ... we made up for it snapping pix outside and in the lavish gardens!

    ah to visit a 'real' French Chateau again

    Happy October !
    oxo

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  16. Dear Shane,

    The Fontainbleau Castle looks magnificent, such a grand chateau and love all the gold and rich colours.
    Thanks for sharing and along with your Grand- daughters you must have felt like a Princess too, walking around from room to room.

    Happy Thursday
    Hugs
    Carolyn

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  17. Shane... I need to go! I don't think I have ever been to Fontainbleau... only to Versailles...
    Also, just wanted to say how lovely it was to see the snaps of MY French Life in your last post.. I thought I recognised that book binding... :) Happy weekend... xv

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  18. Beautiful photos of this stunning chateaux! So glad you could visit it!

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  19. On my first trip to Paris, we had to choose between Fontainbleu and Vaux le Vicomte. I let my host choose -- he had been to Fontainbleu more recently so he chose the other. It was lovely, It, too, was lovely. But I think you may have had us beat!

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  20. Ciao Roses,
    grazie per la visita al mio blog e per le gentili parole che hai scritto!
    Sono contenta di averti conosciuta!
    A presto!
    un bacio,Claudia

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  21. Beautiful photos of an exquisite estate. Thanks, also, for the history lesson.

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  22. Hi Shane! So beautiful photos! Happy day for you ♥ xxxx riitta

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  23. Thank you so much for the Giveaway mention Shane... Happy Sunday... xv

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  24. I'm sure my boys would not have found it an interesting visit at all, but I certainly would have enjoyed visiting the chateau. Such beautiful surroundings. Hope you are having a great week. Tammy

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  25. PS -- have to tell you how much I love that Brocante bike in your banner!

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  26. Beautiful. So often the château's in France have lost their contents to the English.

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