Fontainebleau is not just one monarch's palace, it belonged to them all. 

Fontainebleau is not just one monarch's palace, it belonged to them all. It was a "family home" for the kings of France, passed down from generation to generation from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. 
 
                              WHO ARE WE? The American Friends of the Château de Fontainebleau is dedicated to supporting the work of the Château de Fontainebleau. It brings awareness to the Château's collections and activities and raises funds for restoration projects, acquisitions, and cultural programming. Through its work, it also promotes stronger ties between France and the United States.  U.S.-based donors can support the Château de Fontainebleau with tax-deductible gifts and donations through the King Baudouin Foundation United States (KBFUS). The KBFUS is a public charity and 501(c)3 organization. FOLLOW IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF ROCKEFELLER AND MANY OTHER SPONSORS There is a long history of American philanthropy at the Château de Fontainebleau. In 1924, the business magnate John D. Rockefeller donated 4 million francs, which contributed to the restoration of the Belle-Cheminée wing of the castle. Since then, many other US-based individuals and foundations have follow in Rockefeller's footsteps. In the past two decades, we have also received major donations from international patrons. In 2008, for instance, the Château received 10 million euros for the restoration of The Imperial Theater. Thanks to the generosity of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the president of the United Arab Emirates, we are able to preserve this important landmark. WHY GIVE? As our supporter, you will help directly in promoting and advancing the work of the Château de Fontainebleau. Your gifts ensure that current and future generations can enjoy the art and architecture of this historic site.         PROJECTS TO SUPPORT As you give, you may choose to apply your donation to a specific project. Currently, the American Friends of the Château de Fontainebleau is focusing on several restoration projects, including the Porte Dorée (the first royal entrance to Fontainebleau), the royal hunting scenes of Jean-Baptiste Oudry in the Hunts Apartment, and seven busts of historical and mythological Roman figures for the terrace of the François I Gallery. 

Contact us at: mecenat@chateaudefontainebleau.fr 
 
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A tale of leisure at Fontainebleau  Among the hidden treasures of the Château de Fontainebleau, the Pond Pavilion has long caught the eye of visitors with its romantic allure. This gazebo, situated on an islet in the middle of the Carp Pond, was designed by architect Louis Le Vau for Louis XIV and built in 1662.  With its extraordinary panoramic view of the château, pond, and royal gardens, the structure provided an excellent setting for light meals, entertainment, and relaxation during the time of the French monarchy and well into the 19th century, during the First and Second Empire. Frequenters also found themselves surrounded by a myriad of leisurely activities as fanciful boats glided on the pond. Inside, a rich painted décor by Charles Moench flaunts multi-coloured birds, butterflies, fruits, and botanical elements. Urgent repairs needed The pavilion's particular setting has also exposed the structure to serious hazards and complicated repairs. Unfortunately,  the irreversible loss of the painted décors is a real possibility . Rising damp has caused substantial damage to stonework – especially the foundation, exterior paving, and interior tiles – as well as the painted wood paneling.  Works done in recent years have improved the general condition of the pavilion, but a complete restoration is necessary to save this treasure for posterity. The restoration project concerns the pavilion in its entirety and addresses both structural issues and the artistic elements.  Get involved, help preserve this pearl! The Pond Pavilion is a unique relic of leisurely activities at Fontainebleau and an inseparable part of the Carp Pond. We are calling on the Château's devotees to ensure that this centuries-old pearl continues to inspire and provide relaxation. 
 Once restored, the pavilion will open for special visits. It could also be the perfect destination for your future private dinner, cocktail, or tea. 
 
 
 
 Want to discuss our projects? 💬 
 Eric Grebille, Head of Sponsorship Telephone: (+33) 01.60.71.57.92 / (+33) 06.87.40.14.34 Email: eric.grebille@chateaudefontainebleau.fr 
 
 → Other ways to support the Château de Fontainebleau ← 
 Discover all of our current projects  or  leave a gift in your will   
 
 
 
 Alternative ways to give:  
 
 For gifts by check: Write your check to KBFUS, write " American Friends of the Château de Fontainebleau-Restoration " in the memo section of the check, and send it to KBFUS, 551 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2400, New York, NY 10176.  Gifts by wire transfer or to contribute other types of property: Email KBFUS at: info@kbfus.org or phone (212) 713 7660.

Restoration: The Pond Pavilion

Fontainebleau's 2020 exhibition will expose the dazzling art of Renaissance festivities 
 
 The Château de Fontainebleau, palace of Valois court festivities The French court of the 15 th  century was characterised by festivity. Tournaments on land and water, banquets, balls, and masquerades inspirited the world of the sovereigns. Royal entrances, weddings, baptisms, and diplomatic receptions all involved the biggest names in Renaissance art, who produced fantastic works for the occasion: Da Vinci's mechanical lion, Philibert Delorme's ephemeral architecture, and the extravagant costumes designed by Rosso Fiorentino and Primaticcio to name a few. These celebrations were moments of pleasure guided by a sense of humanism. Their programmes were composed by notable poets and philosophers such as Ronsard, Dorat, and Desportes.  The Valois festivities not only entertained the court but also worked to the government's advantage as foreign ambassadors spread word of the monarchy's brilliance. In the midst of the Wars of Religion, they served as a political tool, reconciling through dance the antagonistic Catholics and Huguenots while praising the sovereign.  Souvenirs of French festivity  The Château de Fontainebleau's forthcoming exhibition, opening autumn 2020, will bring together an exceptional group of tapestries, drawings, illuminated manuscripts, and objets d'art.  Its focal point, two pieces from the famed  Valois Tapestries  series, illustrates the scope of Catherine de Medici's celebrations, from extravagant costumed tournaments to diplomatic banquets and the birth of court ballet. These works evoke the variety of festivities at the Valois court, their components, and above all the spirit and ideals behind their conception.  The European character of the exhibition is expressed through an exceptional collaboration of major institutions including the Uffizi Galleries (Florence), Kunsthistorisches Museum (Vienna), British Museum (London), Nationalmuseum (Stockholm), and Rijksmuseum (Amsterdam).  Become a patron of an unprecedented display of Renaissance masterpieces! Your contribution will  support the Château de Fontainebleau, a historical crossroads of the European Renaissance, in assembling and presenting masterpieces from across the continent .  Concretely, your patronage will enable the transport of precious pieces including tapestries from the Uffizi Galleries and Kunsthistorisches Museum as well as Da Vinci drawings held by the Royal Collection at Windsor Castle – priceless works of art brought together for the first time ever! Giving to this project also means supporting educational activities, the reconstitution of an original Renaissance costume, and the publication of the exhibition catalogue. Want to discuss our projects? 💬 Eric Grebille, Head of Sponsorship Telephone: (+33) 01.60.71.57.92 / (+33) 06.87.40.14.34 Email: eric.grebille@chateaudefontainebleau.fr → Other ways to support the Château de Fontainebleau ← Discover all of our current projects  or  leave a gift in your will   
 
 Alternative ways to give:  
 
 For gifts by check: Write your check to KBFUS, write " American Friends of the Château de Fontainebleau " in the memo section of the check, and send it to KBFUS, 551 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2400, New York, NY 10176.  Gifts by wire transfer or to contribute other types of property: Email KBFUS at: info@kbfus.org or phone (212) 713 7660.

Exhibition: Festivities and Ceremonies at the Valois Court

Art of empire: rare Napoleonic porcelain  Since 2016, the Château de Fontainebleau has actively pursued the acquisition of an exceptional series of Empire-era porcelain services produced by Sèvres. In addition to their incredible beauty, these fine works of art were symbols of imperial power. The services, currently held by a private collector, will find their place in the Château's Napoleon Museum, one of the world's finest Napoleonic collections. The Château has already purchased three of seven lots –  help us further enhance the museum's Napoleon exhibition with these remarkable artefacts!  Two of the remaining lots are of high priority:  Empress Marie Louise Vase This vase is decorated with a portrait of Empress Marie Louise clothed in a black velvet travelling dress and hat richly adorned with white feathers. In 1814, it was gifted by the emperor to his sister-in-law Catherine, the former Queen consort of Westphalia, who was taking refuge in France. It is an exceedingly rare unofficial image of Marie Louise. The distinctive "fuseau" (spindle) shape of the vase is a neo-classical Empire fashion that evokes the ancient amphora.  Egyptian Breakfast Service In 1813, the Duchess of Montebello received this this breakfast service or "cabaret". It is one of seven Sèvres services based on images from Vivant Denon's  Travels in Lower and Upper Egypt  (1802). Egyptian themes were in vogue during the period following Napoleon's failed military campaign in Egypt, and French decorative arts combined them with earlier styles. Other recipients of this exclusive service included Tsar Alexander I, Empress Josephine, Marie-Louise, and Napoleon himself.  The service is complete and includes a teapot, bowl, milk jug, sugar bowl, six cups, and six saucers, decorated with Egyptian landscapes and portraits. The teapot is especially outstanding: it is the only known Sèvres piece with a wholly Egyptian form and snake-shaped spout.  Want to discuss our projects? 💬 Eric Grebille, Head of Sponsorship Telephone: (+33) 01.60.71.57.92 / (+33) 06.87.40.14.34 Email: eric.grebille@chateaudefontainebleau.fr → Other ways to support the Château de Fontainebleau ← Discover all of our current projects  or  leave a gift in your will 
 
 Alternative ways to give:  
 
 For gifts by check: Write your check to KBFUS, write " American Friends of the Château de Fontainebleau-Acquisition " in the memo section of the check, and send it to KBFUS, 551 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2400, New York, NY 10176.  Gifts by wire transfer or to contribute other types of property: Email KBFUS at: info@kbfus.org or phone (212) 713 7660.

Acquisition: Sèvres Porcelain for Fontainebleau!

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