Château de Fontainebleau
Fontainebleau, Île-de-France, 77300
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of France’s largest châteaux, the magnificent Château de Fontainebleau boasts a rich resume of royal inhabitants, including Henry IV, Louis XV, and Napoleon. Built in the 12th century, the palace displays a remarkable variety of architectural styles, and the interiors are covered in frescoes, paintings, and tapestries, along with gilded touches. The grounds span 321 acres (130 hectares), including courtyards, gardens, and parks.
The Basics
Visitors can discover the Château de Fontainebleau on a guided tour or take a self-guided tour of the Grands Appartements accompanied by an audio guide. Most Fontainebleau tours run from Paris. Although it’s possible to take in the highlights on a half-day tour, a full-day tour will give you free time to explore the vast parklands. In summer, popular activities include Segway tours, horse-drawn carriage rides around the palace grounds, or boat cruises around the lake. You can also soar overhead in a hot-air balloon.
Things to Know Before You Go
Plan at least two hours to visit the castle and gardens.
Visitor facilities include cloakrooms, lockers, and restrooms.
The palace is wheelchair accessible, and lifts are available for entrance to the Grand Apartments.
How to Get There
The Château de Fontainebleau is located at the heart of the Fontainebleau Forest, 40 miles (65 kilometers) southeast of central Paris—about an hour-long drive. From Paris, trains run from Gare de Lyon to Fontainebleau-Avon station, from where the Ligne 1 local bus takes you right to the château entrance in about 10 minutes. Coaches also run from Paris to Fontainebleau and Vaux-le-Vicomte, another nearby castle.
When to Get There
Fontainebleau is open daily (except Tuesdays) year round. The most popular time to visit is in summer, when you can enjoy a picnic in the park and make the most of the seasonal activities and events. The castle itself can get busy, especially in July and August, so aim for an early-morning tour to avoid the crowds, then set off to explore the park just as the tour buses roll in.
A Tour of the Royal Palace
With an incredible 1,500 rooms, there’s plenty to explore at Fontainebleau; tours typically include the the Renaissance rooms, the Papal apartment, the Francis I gallery, and Marie Antoinette’s boudoirs. Visitors can also brush on up French history at the palace museum, peek into the private apartments of Napoleon I and Josephine, his first wife, and stroll around the idyllic gardens.
Ways to explore
The best way to explore Château de Fontainebleau is on a guided tour, or a self-guided tour of the Grands Appartements accompanied by an audio guide. Most Fontainebleau tours include round-trip transportation from Paris. While it’s possible to take in the highlights on a half-day tour, a full-day tour will give you free time to explore the vast parklands.
In the summer, popular activities include Segway tours, horse-drawn carriage rides around the palace grounds, and boat cruises around the lake. You can also soar overhead in a hot-air balloon.
Accessibility
The palace and grounds are wheelchair accessible, and wheelchairs are available for loan at the entrance.
Age limits
None, and visitors under 18 enter for free.
What to pack
Camera and battery pack, sun hat, water bottle
What to wear
Comfortable shoes, sunscreen
Not allowed
Strollers are only allowed on the outdoor grounds, not inside the castle. Pets and flash photography are not allowed.
Amenities
Bag and stroller deposit, cafés and picnic area, restrooms, gift shop
Address
The Château de Fontainebleau is in the heart of the Fontainebleau Forest, 40 miles (65 kilometers) southeast of central Paris—about an hour-long drive or train ride from the city.
Driving
You can reach the palace in about an hour by car from Paris. Take highway A6 (Porte d’Orléans or Porte d’Italie) to the Fontainebleau exit. Continue toward Fontainebleau, and then follow the signs for the Château de Fontainebleau.
Public transportation
From Paris, trains run from Gare de Lyon to the Fontainebleau-Avon station. From there, the Ligne 1 local bus takes you right to the château entrance in about 10 minutes. Buses also run from Paris to Fontainebleau and Vaux-le-Vicomte, another nearby castle.
Best times to visit
Fontainebleau is open daily except for Tuesdays and some holidays. The castle can get busy, especially in July and August, so aim for an early-morning tour to avoid the crowds, then set off to explore the park just as the tour buses roll in.
Best days to visit
Weekends are the busiest time at the castle and grounds, so go on a weekday morning for a quieter visit.
Best months to visit
The most popular time to visit is in the summer, when you can have a picnic in the park and make the most of the seasonal activities and events.
Special events
Château de Fontainebleau holds a rotating roster of cultural events, historical reenactments, special tours, and exhibitions all year round. Visit the official website for an updated schedule.
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