Another beautiful day in Paris et les environs. Our first destination of the day was the Chateau de Vaux le Viscomte, built in 1661 by Louis XIV's Finance Minister, Nicolas Fouquet. Think Versailles in terms of size, gardens, and architectural harmony. This harmony was achieved by Le Vau, Le Brun, Le Notre: architect, painter, and landscaper. Unfortunately for Fouquet, he was found to be embezzling from the king's treasury, so he never got to enjoy this palace fit for a king.
The next stop was Melun, where in 1430, Jean d'Arc liberated Melun from English domination. Then the piece de resistance: a visit to Barbizon. There were about 50 artists associated with the Barbizon school, including J.F. Millet, Corot, Daumier, T. Rousseau, Daubigny, and others. I visited the J. F. Millet studio, and although there were no original Millet paintings there, there were some of his prints. The studio remains as it was during J. F. Millet's life.
Ciao, David
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