chateau
de Fontainebleau is
nevertheless equally interesting and magnificent. Take a full day to
visit the chateau, and then lose yourself in the neighbouring
forest as
well, one of the most beautiful locations for those looking to escape
the capital for a day. At just 60km from Paris the forest was one of
the most favoured hunting reserves for French royalty since the
16th
century. At the behest of François 1st the area was transformed
into a royal palace in an appropriately flamboyant 16th century style.
The work was carried out by a troop of Italian artists commissioned by
the King. Amongst them Rosso il Fiorentino, a student of Michelangelo,
was responsible for creating several extraordinary frescoes.
