When did King Louis VII establish the royal residence at Fontainebleau?
King Louis VII established a royal residence at Fontainebleau in 1137. Evidence suggests a structure may have existed earlier during the reign of Philip I.
Questions about Palace of Fontainebleau
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who commissioned the transformation of the medieval castle into a Renaissance palace at Fontainebleau?
Francis I commissioned architect Gilles Le Breton to transform the modest medieval castle into a Renaissance palace beginning around 1528. He preserved the original medieval keep on one side while adding a monumental new entry called the Porte Dorée or Golden Gate in Italian Renaissance style.
What happened to Pope Pius VII at the Palace of Fontainebleau between 1812 and 1814?
Between 1812 and 1814, the château served as an elegant prison for Pope Pius VII under close supervision. The monarch had previously chosen Fontainebleau as the site of his historic 1804 meeting with Pope Pius VII who traveled from Rome to crown him emperor.
When was the Palace of Fontainebleau classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
The Palace of Fontainebleau was classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981 recognizing its unique architecture and historical importance. A general restoration took place between 1964 and 1968 under President Charles de Gaulle and Minister of Culture Andre Malraux before this designation.
Who designed the formal gardens at the Palace of Fontainebleau during the reign of Louis XIV?
Louis XIV commissioned André Le Nôtre to create classical French formal garden featuring geometric designs paths bordered boxwood hedges colorful flowerbeds. Henry IV greatly expanded grounds between 1606 and 1609 constructing a grand canal extending 1200 meters similar to one at nearby Fleury-en-Bière.