The French Royal Theater in the famous Fontainebleau estate will be named in honor of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, who allocated funds for its restoration. A 430-seat theater was first opened in the Fontainebleau Palace, 60 km southeast of Paris, in 1857 by Emperor Napoleon III. The theater is distinguished by a large number of expensive wood and crystal, including a huge chandelier. About 25.5 million dirhams (US $ 7 million) were donated for its restoration. It is planned that the restoration work will continue for at least three years.
Fontainebleau is a Renaissance palace in the French department of Seine and Marne, around which the city of Fontainebleau formed over time. Many rulers of France lived here, from Louis VII to Napoleon III. Three monarchs were born in the palace - Philip IV the Beautiful, Henry III of Valois and Louis XIII. Since 1981, the palace and park of Fontainebleau were included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in France.
