Fontainebleau: the palace of the centuries
Thanks to a skillful blend of dramatic reenactments, 3D reconstructions, specials effects and through the eyes of Charles Percier - a young French architect who sketched every room during the French revolution - this docudrama brings this palace back to life, as it evolves with the whims of its royal residents. A tableau of passion, pride, love and war to discover a hidden side of history.
Type (Documentaire / Documentaire fiction / Série documentaire)Documentary Fiction Genre en anglaisArt & CultureWritten and directed byStéphane Bégoin and Thomas MarlierOriginal score Vincent Jacq, Siegfried CantoNarration Chloé RéjonIn association with France Télévisions, TV5 Monde, la RTBF and Ceska Televize Supported by Château de FontainebleauDistributed by ZEDYear2023Duration96'
No other royal residence in Europe encapsulates as much art and history over such an extensive period as the Château de Fontainebleau. For seven centuries, from Francis I to Napoleon III, kings and emperors continuously inhabited this architectural marvel, which constantly evolved to house unparalleled treasures.
A true architectural mille-feuille, this edifice reflects the stylistic changes, rulers, eras, and influences of the past six centuries. From the great masters of the Italian Renaissance to the illustrious artists of Napoleon’s era, the château has seen it all.
The story of this spectacular château is brought to life through Charles Percier, a young architect of the late 18th century. Amid the chaos of the French Revolution, Percier fought valiantly against the destruction of this heritage treasure, striving to save the artistic masterpieces within. By exploring the current château with his historical drawings, following the work of restorers, and investigating with historians the Italian influences that guided resident artists, the home of Francis I and Henry IV is reborn before our eyes through Percier’s vision, in all its splendor, richness, and modernity.
Press coverage
A thorough documentary featuring stunning scenery that draws you into a captivating narrative featuring 34 kings and 2 emperors.
Le Figaro
Engaging from start to finish.
Le Parisien
Captivating !
TV Grandes Chaînes
An immersion in an extraordinary palace.
Femina
A fascinating docu-fiction.
Télé Loisirs
A documentary in the form of a solid and well-structured historical-architectural synthesis.
Télérama – TT
The monument fully deserves the spotlight that this documentary shines on it. An enlightening guided tour.
Historia