Some of the great places to shop in and around Paris for highly original objects are the boutiques of the Rmn-Grand Palais which are found in museums and monuments throughout France. The bookstore-boutique within the splendid Fontainebleau castle, one of France’s fabulous chateaux, has just been given a refreshing new looking outfitted with gifts and books created especially for the occasion and the location. Located in the castle’s Courtyard of Honor just to the right of the spectacular staircase, the space is drenched in natural light allowing visitors to walk easily amongst the wide range of 500 different objects — 65 of which are exclusive to the boutique — including books, gifts, accessories, local gourmet products and art, many of which draw their inspiration from the Chateau of Fontainebleau.

Left: The Hortense ring in gold-plated brass at the Rmn-Grand Palais bookshop-boutique at the Chateau of Fontainebleau. Right: The Hortense bracelet in gold-plated brass at the Rmn-Grand Palais bookshop-boutique at the Chateau of Fontainebleau. Photos: Courtesy Rmn-Grand Palais. Handout via The Gourmet Gazette 

The Hortense line of jewelry in gold-plated brass includes a ring, a bracelet, earrings and a necklace. The jewels are a direct reflection of those worn by Hortense de Beauharnais, the Queen of Holland with her son the Prince Royal as painted by Baron Gérard, François Pascal Simon (1770-1837) and which is found in the collections of Fontainebleau. Another line of objects — make-up case, bag, notebook — draws its inspiration from the castle’s emblematic and spectacular horseshoe-shaped staircase. Also in the works is a line of products bearing the emblem of King Francis I, the mysterious fire-surviving salamander. 

But the best way to discover these highly original products is a visit to the splendid chateau, inhabited by the French monarchs from the 12th through the 19th centuries. The collections are regularly enriched with new stationary products, the table arts, home decor and plenty of things for children and young adults often reflecting events and exhibitions at the chateau. There is an abundance of books for children as well. Another highlight are locally made teas and even a limited edition and numbered bottle of Pouilly Fumé, Napoleon I’s favorite white wine. Multi-lingual guides are on hand to help you with  your potential purchases. The refurbishing of the space was driven by the Rmn-Grand Palais in collaboration with the architect Etienne Bruley of the Hors Limites architectural firm.

Left: The Hortense earrings in gold-plated brass at the Rmn-Grand Palais bookshop-boutique at the Chateau of Fontainebleau. Right: The Hortense necklace in gold-plated brass at the Rmn-Grand Palais bookshop-boutique at the Chateau of Fontainebleau. Photos: Courtesy Rmn-Grand Palais. Handout via The Gourmet Gazette 

The Rmn-Grand Palais, Rmn is the French acronym for the Réunion des musées nationaux, distributes its own products and those brought out by others in a network of 34 bookshop-boutiques that it manages in French museums and monuments as well as on its on-line boutique. These products at Fontainebleau are available at the bookshop-boutique at Fontainebleau and on the Internet at https://www.boutiquesdemusees.fr/en/. Place Charles de Gaulle, 77300 Fontainbleau. Open daily except Tuesdays from 9:30am until 6pm. ©Trish Valicenti for The Gourmet Gazette

See also: https://thegourmetgazette.com/2023/09/03/fontainebleau-a-family-affair/