Chateau and Goodbye Paris

Sunday was the last day for Sue and John who headed back to Calvisson while we headed to Fountainbleau. We both left from Gare de Lyon, and David and I met up with Alexa and Bob who were travelling our way and shared the journey to Fountainbleau-Avon Gare where we caught the bus into the town. Here we had lunch before heading across the road to the Chateau. We had read that this was worth the visit and it certainly was! The Chateau is surrounded by beautiful parkland and lakes and appears to have as much land as Versailles. We had chosen to visit on the last day of a History of Art Festival and entry was FREE during the festival month. What a bonus. The Chateau itself was beautiful and the small number of visitors made wandering through the many rooms, wonderfully furnished with original pieces of period furniture, a pleasure. I had a headphone with a commentary for each of the rooms. Photography was allowed and David wandered on ahead enjoying the freedom of snapping almost the whole building. He has since spent some time deleting a great number and has only 49 left from the original number taken. We took time to stroll around the smaller of the lakes set close to the Chateau where there were visitors rowing around and huge carp swimming.

Chateau from the lake

On the entrance steps

The centre garden

Napoleon's Throne

Josephine's bedroom

Gallery

Ornate ceiling

Waiting room for audience with Napoleon
We caught the train back in the late afternoon and once in the apartment, packed ready for our departure. The apartment had to be left clean, so I spent some time doing the housework in the morning before we checked out at 11 and walked to Gare de Lyon. It was sad to leave Paris but the next adventure was about to begin.