Rouen to Palace of Fontainebleau: Private day trip

Start your exploration in Napoleon's apartments, walking through his private study with its Empire-style mahogany furniture, throne room with the original throne where he held audiences, and the bedroom where he spent his final night in France before exile to Elba in 1814. Marvel at the Gallery of Francis I with its intricate Renaissance frescoes by Italian masters Rosso Fiorentino and Francesco Primaticcio, and gilded salamanders representing the king's personal symbol throughout the ornate ceiling decorations that influenced Renaissance art across Europe. Don't miss the spectacular Ballroom with its coffered ceiling, massive stone fireplace, and parquet floors where royal celebrations, diplomatic receptions, and court ballets took place for centuries. Step outside to explore the formal French gardens with their geometric patterns, ornamental ponds, and perfectly manicured parterres, then venture into the vast Forest of Fontainebleau—25,000 hectares of ancient oaks, dramatic sandstone rock formations, and hiking trails beloved by artists from Corot to the Barbizon School who established France's first artist colony here. Climb the famous horseshoe staircase where Napoleon bid his emotional farewell to his Imperial Guard in 1814, one of history's most poignant moments captured in countless paintings and historical accounts that mark the end of the First Empire. Overview the palace's opening hours and buy tickets online before your trip: https://www.chateaudefontainebleau.fr/en/plan-your-visit/practical-informations/