This small French town is home to a grand royal palace and encircled by lush forests. Visitors can explore the historic château and enjoy outdoor pursuits in the surrounding nature.
Fontainebleau, situated 55 kilometers southeast of Paris, is renowned for the Château de Fontainebleau, a historic royal palace. Visitors can explore the expansive Forest of Fontainebleau, perfect for hiking and rock climbing, and stroll through the town's charming streets featuring sandstone buildings. The area also boasts local shops and restaurants where you can enjoy traditional French dishes.
The Magnificent Château de Fontainebleau
The Château de Fontainebleau has served as a royal residence for over 800 years. In the 16th century, Francis I transformed the original medieval hunting lodge into a Renaissance palace. While touring the château, you can visit the Francois I Gallery with its detailed decorations, the Napoleonic throne room, and Marie Antoinette's Turkish boudoir. The horseshoe-shaped staircase on the facade is historically significant as the location where Napoleon said goodbye to his guards before his exile. The formal gardens, designed by André Le Nôtre, include sculptures, fountains, and a large carp pond.
Exploring the Forest of Fontainebleau
The 25,000-hectare Forest of Fontainebleau surrounds the town and château. You can hike through areas with pine trees, heathland, and rocky formations. The forest is well-known for bouldering, attracting climbers from around the world with its thousands of sandstone boulders. Color-coded paths help climbers of different skill levels navigate the area. During your visit, you might encounter deer, wild boar, or various insects native to the forest.
The Town of Fontainebleau
The center of Fontainebleau features narrow streets and sandstone buildings. As you wander, you will come across approximately 40 listed historical monuments. The town has maintained a local character by limiting large supermarkets, which supports the presence of local shops and businesses. For dining, consider visiting L'Axel, a Michelin-starred restaurant, or La Salamandre, known for its cozy atmosphere and regional dishes.
Visiting Fontainebleau
The château is open every day except Tuesdays, January 1st, May 1st, and December 25th. From April to September, visiting hours are from 9:30 AM to 6 PM, with the last entry at 5:15 PM. From October to March, the château closes one hour earlier. Admission is €14 for adults, and visitors under 26 can enter for free. The gardens are accessible to the public at no cost throughout the year.
To reach Fontainebleau from Paris, you can drive in about an hour or take a train from Gare de Lyon to Fontainebleau-Avon station, followed by a bus or taxi to the château. Visiting in spring or fall can help you avoid the summer crowds and enjoy pleasant weather for outdoor activities.
Historical Significance
Fontainebleau has been the backdrop for important events in French history. It is the birthplace of Louis XIII and the place where Louis XIV began his rule as an absolute monarch. In 1685, Louis XIV signed the Edict of Fontainebleau here, which revoked the Edict of Nantes and ended religious freedoms for Protestants. Additionally, Napoleon Bonaparte abdicated at Fontainebleau in 1814 before being exiled to Elba.
