Florence/Rome/Paris May2013 - 4

Day 6: Off to Paris! No hassle flying from Fiumicino to CDG. Picked up our rental car and rushed straight to Pierre Gagnaire. Been looking forward to this 3-star lunch as Mr. Gagnaire is well known for his molecular cuisine. And I love molecular for its limitless potential to surprise your taste buds. Inventive food that plays around your different senses :)

Then straight off to Fountainebleu! Small town about 1.5h from Paris. You see, the whole starting point of this trip was for S' INSEAD reunion. A full day affair of talks, catching up and networking like they always do. Not my thing. So I took the time to visit the Chateau de Fontainebleau and thereafter brought the wags to La valleé village for some shopping ;) The Chateau is so grand I wish I had more time to explore..

“The true home of kings, the house of ages” (Napoleon in Saint Helena, August 1816) With over 1500 rooms at the heart of 130 acres of parkland and gardens, Fontainebleau is the only royal and imperial château to have been continuously inhabited for seven centuries. A visit to Fontainebleau opens up an unparalleled view of French history, art history and architecture. -official website

One special thing being captured: Napoleon's Throne
"Requested in 1805 by Napoleon I for what was formerly the King’s Chamber, the Throne Room in the Château de Fontainebleau is the only such suite in France still in its original state. Together with his crown, his two ensigns and his daïs, the throne was installed in the alcove in which the king’s bed formerly stood. Originally made for the Château de Saint Cloud in 1804 by Jacob-Desmalter, based on designs by the architects Percier and Fontaine, it was installed at Fontainebleau in 1808. The seat itself had been created for the throne at the Tuileries Palace."

The morning after - BBQ feast at the campus!