Laid out first by Louis XIV who had 75 stays there punctuated by sumptuous parties, the old chateau was entirely reconstructed by Louis XV. But it was the Empire that brought it its renown, when Napoléon the first made it the Imperial mansion in 1806 and had it refitted by the architect Berthaut and decorated under the direction of the brothers Dubois and Redoute and of the painter Girodet. Later it was one of the preferred residences of Napoléon III and the Empress Eugénie who maintained it for hunting in autumn and led there a huge retinue from the court and from the European Almanac de Gotha of the time. Later it would be the headquarters of Generals Nivelle and Pétain in the First World War. With a harshly classical exterior its interior decor merits an extensive visit; you will discover there the historic apartments including the King's apartment, the Emperor's apartment (this room has been restored as it was under the First Empire), the Empress's apartment (a ravishing breakfast room set up for the arrival of Marie-Louise and decorated with mythological scenes by Girodet), the King of Rome's apartment, these are the important points of a visit to this palace.