It provided an ideal refuge — away from the sniping politics, strict etiquette, and 24/7 scrutiny of official court life. All this royal, noble, and imperial extravagance, and the resulting political upheaval ,is not necessarily a bad thing. Ninety-nine out of 100 of your dinners, you'll forget; you won't forget this one. Louis ruled from 1643 to 1715. Fontainebleau has more Napoleon Bonaparte connections than any other palace, with his personal apartments and an adjacent museum. This is a lifelong memory. Smart travelers avoid weekends, come late in the day, and use a museum pass to skip the ticket line. He spent about half of France's entire annual GNP to turn his dad's hunting lodge into a palace suitable for Europe's king of kings. With both a blank slate and a blank check, Fouquet's dream team made his audacious vision a reality. The Hall of Mirrors was the highlight of the palace. As if to encourage the fun, Venus sends down a canopy of garlands to ensnare mortals in delicious amour. An intriguing part of your visit is a chance to climb through the attic for a peek at the timbers and the structure of the roof. No! And today, many of those that survive make ends meet by renting rooms. The palace's back yard is huge — and if you turn around, it seems to stretch forever. Shifting from medieval piety back to royal excess, it's time for one last palace. Napoleon's throne room is the only French throne room that survives with its original furniture. The emerging horses give the impression of the sun rising out of the mists of dawn. French was the lingua franca. Join Rick Steves as he cruises the Seine River, visits Napoleon’s tomb, and takes in the Louvre. And Louis XIV, he had a thousand. As you stroll, you can enjoy the artistic shift in styles. Rick Steves Pocket Paris works best for people taking a short trip, or perhaps a return trip, to Paris. With an unrivaled harmony of architecture, interior decor, and garden design, it gets my vote for the most beautiful château in all of France. I'm having the terrine of duck foie gras, and Steve's having the blue lobster. Rick: That's right. Switzerland Travel with Rick on this video guide to Paris, France and find out what to do on your next trip. This ultimate royal palace is all about this man: the ultimate divine monarch, Louis XIV. Ah! Napoleon aspired to create his own family dynasty. While home to many kings though the ages, today, with its iconic and sweeping staircase, it's the domain of tourists. While the fountains ran for Louis whenever he liked, they run for tourists only on weekends. The light pouring through these windows was mystical, and encouraged meditation and prayer. It's how the French live. But just a short walk away is another … Get inspired with Rick Steves’ recommended places to go and things to do, with tips, photos, videos, and travel information on Paris. This revolutionary hero came out of a movement that killed off the Old Regime — only to create a new Old Regime. The Venus Room is a reminder that love ruled at Versailles. A newer annex offers four contemporary rooms (sleeping up to three each), with lofts, terraces, and views of the castle. The main attraction is the palace itself, called the Château. This is the pre-Revolutionary playground of France's rich and powerful. Chartres is an easy day trip from Paris. Right? Though getting to Vaux-le-Vicomte requires more effort, it's an absolute joy to tour. Rick Steves Paris 2017 - Ebook written by Rick Steves, Steve Smith, Gene Openshaw. He was symbolized by Apollo, the Greek god of the sun. Rick: This is expensive, but you could say it's a good value because it's more than just a meal — it's a lifelong experience. There is stately Renaissance, such as this fine hall, which dates from 1528. Once king, the massive expansion began. 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