Barbizon

At the beginning of the 19th century, Barbizon was a small hamlet of peasants. It was around the middle of the 19th century that Barbizon truly gained its letters of nobility when settled Theodore Rousseau and Jean-François Millet who fleeted Paris with his family where prevailed an epidemic of cholera. Barbizon counted at this time famous residents such Paul Huet, Diaz Of Pena, Cabat, French Louis, Daubigny, Decamps, Chintreuil or Dauimier...

The creative current which emerged from this place gave immortal Artworks such as " The Angelus " or " Les Glaneuses ". In their work "Solomon Lever " in 1967, the Goncourt brothers, in addition inhabitants of the place, describe the atmosphere and the life of the village at the time. The character of the Crescent painter is moreover non-openly inspired by the painter Jean-François Millet.

Fontainebleau

The castle was built from 16th until the 18th century. In the 16th century, Francois I transformed the castle into a Renaissance palace decorated by Florentine artists. The castle was made into a national museum since 1870.

Outside, visit the "cour du Cheval-Blanc" with the statue of Marcus Aurelius and the famous monumental horseshoe shaped stairway. Inside, visit of the "Grands appartements", François I's gallery and the Renaissance Halls, Napoleon I's room. You can also visit the museum of Napoleon I. Don't forget to take a stroll through the gardens.

Napoleon at Fontainbleau

Prior to the French Revolution the Chateau at Fontainbleau had fallen into disrepair and during the Revolution many of the original furnishings were stolen and what remained were sold. Within a decade Napoleon began to transform the Chateau into a symbol of his grandeur as an alternative to empty Versailles, with its Bourbon connotations. He completely refinished the entire palace and Fontainebleau became one of his favorite residences. The throne room is the most spectacular room in the apartment, with silks and brocades enriched with precious decorations of gold bee and other Neoclassical symbols.

It was here at Fontainebleau that Napoleon bade farewell to his Old Guard and went into exile in 1814. Napoleon, from his last exile at St. Helena, recalled Fontainebleau fondly: " Here was a true home of kings, the best furnished and most happily situated ancient house in Europe".

Today the museum dedicated to Napoleon in the Chateau brings his epic career to life thought small objects that were part of the daily life that he shared with his brothers and sisters, the monarchs of half of Europe.