Fountainebleau

Originally called Fontaine Belle eau or Fontaine Belleaue, Fontainebleau settled on current name in 1169. This hamlet was endowed with a royal hunting lodge and a chapel by Louis VII in the middle of the twelfth century. A century later, Louis IX, also called Saint Louis, who held Fontainebleau in high esteem and referred to it as "his wilderness", had a country house and a hospital constructed there. Philip the Fair was born there in 1268 and died there in 1314. In all, thirty-four sovereigns, from Louis VI, the Fat, (1081–1137) to Napoleon III (1808–1873), spent time at Fontainebleau. The connection between the town of Fontainebleau and the French monarchy was reinforced with the transformation of the royal country house into a true royal palace, the Palace of Fontainebleau. This was accomplished by the great builder-king, Francis I (1494–1547), who, in the largest of his many construction projects, reconstructed, expanded, and transformed the royal château at Fontainebleau into a residence that became his favourite, as well as the residence of his mistress, Anne, duchess of Étampes. From the sixteenth to the eighteenth century, every monarch, from Francis I to Louis XV, made important renovations at the Palace of Fontainebleau, including demolitions, reconstructions, additions, and embellishments of various descriptions, all of which endowed it with a character that is a bit heterogeneous, but harmonious nonetheless. On 20 June 1812, Pope Pius VII arrived at the château of Fontainebleau, after a secret transfer from Savona, accompanied by his personal physician, Balthazard Claraz. In poor health, the pope was the prisoner of Napoleon, and he remained in his genteel prison at Fontainebleau for nineteen months. From June 1812 until 23 January 1814, the pope never left his apartments. Walking through the halls of this chateau are breathtaking when noting all of the meticulous detail. One of the more famous rooms of the chateau was dressed for Marie Antoinette but unfortunately she never had seen it finished because of her beheading. When walking the grounds of the chateau in the gardens you can't help but notice the massive coy fish, some as old as Napoleon III. To think this chateau is only a short drive outside of Paris is unbelievable because the grounds of the chateau are surrounded by lush green forests. Don't like touristy areas? Put this chateau on the top of your to do list when visiting Paris! (not to mention it is the most politically important chateau of france) Very little tourists and you're able to hear a pin drop throughout the chateau. National Geographic: please do not put this chateau on your "top 10 things to do while in Paris" list. It's nice to see some French historic sites without the crowds.