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