Day 17: Fontainebleau and Metz

We wake up one hour earlier than usual. It is 7 o'clock and we have breakfast, pack up, and set off 2 hours later. The first stage takes an hour and a half and brings us to Fontainebleau. Here stands another royal castle with magnificent architecture. The complex was built under François I and Henri II on the site of a 13th century castle, with its keep incorporated into the construction and expanded into a hunting lodge under King François I. The construction of the central building, which is visible today, began in 1528. The castle is considered the first Renaissance building on French soil. The castle was significantly influenced by 4 kings or emperors: Henry II, François I, Louis XIII, and Napoleon. This is reflected in the individual rooms. The letters and coats of arms of the respective kings can be found on the doors, ceilings, walls and furniture. Many rooms are lavishly furnished and display a variety of styles. There is a bed in the queen's chambers, which was commissioned by Marie-Antoinette, but she never returned to Fontainebleau to use it. Napoleon's rooms can also be seen. Here he signed his abdication on April 11, 1814. The ballroom and the library also impress us. After the tour of the castle, we stroll through the gardens. They are by no means as magnificent as the gardens in Versailles. We leave the place around 2 o'clock. It is 350 kilometers to Metz, which we cover in just under 4 hours. I have not booked the campsite in advance. Despite the long queue, there are enough spaces available. We park the car and take a short walk into the city of Metz. The cathedral is impressive, but already closed. We choose a restaurant and end our vacation in France with a final dinner.