Some pictures of Fontainebleau

I went to the Château of Fontainebleau last weekend. Fontainebleau was one of the royal châteaux, and even though it didn't always serve over its history as the principal royal residence, it was almost always one of the court's favourite châteaux. I can see why. The very French geometric gardens are largely surrounded by a forest (which provided the kings excellent hunting) that gives the whole a rough, natural contrast at its edges, and the way the sprawling building is made of up different rooms, chapels, and façades from different periods and styles keeps it fairly loose and eclectic, but still grand.

Marie Antoinette's "Turkish cabinet." 

The wall panels are silk with painted-on arabesque details. On a sunny day like that day, it was like being inside a mother-of-pearl jewel box.

Jardin de Diane.

These guys are pretty much like all the dogs I've ever met...