Courtesy of Palace of Fontainebleau
The Palace of Fontainebleau has been renovated by every king who has lived there, making it a priceless reflection of 700 years of French art and architecture.
- The Palace of Fontainebleau is one of the largest royal châteaux in France, reports Very Frenchy.
- It has been used as a royal residence for nearly 700 years, making it the only royal palace in France to be in continuous use that long, Le Francofil reports.
- While the exact construction date is unknown, Very Frenchy reports that the palace can be traced back to at least 1137.
- For centuries, the palace was a popular hunting lodge for French kings, but it wasn't until the 16th century that Francis I transformed the hunting lodge into a Renaissance château.
- Since then, the palace has been renovated by every king who has lived there, making it a reflection of centuries of French art and architecture.
- Most recently, Jean-Christophe, Prince Napoléon, a descendant of former French Emperor Napoléon I, used the palace for his wedding reception, after marrying Olympia von und zu Arco-Zinneberg, an Austrian countess who is a descendant of Napoleon I's second wife, Marie-Louise.
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For nearly seven centuries, the Palace of Fontainebleau has served as a dwelling for French kings. It is, as reported by Le Francofil, the only royal palace to have stayed in continuous use for that long.
The palace can trace its roots back to the 12th century. Over time, it became a popular hunting lodge for French kings, but by the 15th century, the fortress was falling into ruins. It wasn't until the 16th century that Francis I came along and transformed the medieval hunting fortress into the Renaissance château it is today.
Since then, the property has been renovated by every king who has lived there, making the palace a reflection of over 700 years of evolving French art and architecture. It's no wonder why Jean-Christophe, Prince Napoléon, and Countess Olympia von und zu Arco-zinneberg chose this location for their lavish wedding reception. If anything, they were just following in the footsteps of their ancestors!
Keep reading for a look inside the stunning château and to learn more about one of France's most prized palaces.