Fontainebleau <- France <- Home
Actually, these first three are from the Champs Elysee. We went to Fontainebleau directly after Palm Sunday service at the American Cathedral, and en route I snapped a few photos. | ||
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Then we took a train to Fontainebleau (which may or may not be located in Avon, although there is certainly a Fontainebleau as well - it was all a bit muzzy) and walked from the train station to the entrance which leads through the grounds of the chateau. | ||
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Above, the main staircase and two photos from the room of plates, which as you can see had plates embedded in the wall throughout. I took a close up of Twickenham castle, which is (was?) located in England. Below, the chapel of the trinity and a couple of shots of the amazingly carved doors. | ||
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One of the things we discussed as we went through the chateau was the excellent job they had done with lighting. It made taking photos somewhat beastly, but it gave you a much better idea of how people would have seen the place. Of course, I think some of the darkness was because they had blocked off some windows to prevent the sun from damaging the amazing and ornate decoration. | ||
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Next row: on the left, self portrait. On the right, the Chapel of the Trinity (most of which was done between 1600-1650) . In the center is a detail from a room Napoleon used. I am informed by the Museum of Fontainebleau that the chair was decorated by bees to tie Napoleon to the Merovingiens (who reigned from 458 to 751, and apparently had long hair). Bees (actually cicadas, symbols of immortality) apparently decorate the tombs of the Frankish kings. | ||
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I have to admit, although the fountain looks quite lovely from a distance, we were a little disturbed by it up close. It seems too late in the season to think about cleaning it, and although I have complete faith that there is a reason for leaving such thick growth on the fountain, I can't for the life of me think what it is.... | ||
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