Versailles: royal symbol, home to the kings of France from the
reign of Louis XIV to that of Louis XVI. Its Galerie des Glaces,
the appartment and chamber of the king. The Orangery and its border
framed by the one hundred steps of pink marble.
The magic of the fountains with the Royal walk, the basins of Apollon, and of Neptune. The great marble Trianon like an Italian style palace..., Fontainebleau, built by Francois I, a fine range of buildings in complete harmony with their surroundings. "This is the true home of kings. the house of centuries", said Napoleon.
Compiegne surrounding the medieval chateau of Charles V. Designed as a summer palace for Louis XV, this was the favorite residence of Louis XVI and Napoleon III.
Chantilly a small 16th century chateau and a large 19th century
chateau, whose paintings by Raphael, de Vinci and Delacroix and
especially the magnificent collection of manuscripts and illuminated
designs (including the "Tres Riches Heures" of the duke
of Berry), are an invaluable part of the this country's heritage.
Vincennes, at the gates of Paris, born of the French kings' passion for hunting; the functional mass of its fortified castle and the classicism of its main courtyard. Its dungeon had some famous prisoners: Diderot, Sade,Mirabeau...
Rambouillet, Napoleon's study, superb woodwork, a former hall
opening onto the gardens, a marble room with decor from the Renaissance
period, nowadays still used as a residence for the presidents
of the Republic.
