Fontainebleau Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Fontainebleau
Fontainebleau, just under 40 miles south of Paris, is the perfect destination for a break combining relaxation and discovery. With history, culture and the great outdoors, you won't have time to get bored!

Obviously, Fontainebleau is famous for its chateau and its forest. Lovers of history and the great outdoors will be delighted. But the town and the surrounding area are also full of other surprises.

You can start your visit in the town centre and discover the town's history and its heritage by following the historic sandstone route. Fontainebleau will dazzle you with its charming squares, such as Place d’Armes, Place du Marché with the Église Saint-Louis, and Place du Général de Gaulle, which leads straight to the chateau via the "Cour des Adieux", as immortalised by Napoleon.

You can then start exploring the Palace of Fontainebleau. “The true home of kings, the house of ages” as Napoleon described it, can be explored with a tour of the Grands Appartements, the ballroom, the Francis I gallery and the throne room. Discover the luxurious living environment of the 34 sovereigns who have lived there. Several additional tours are also on offer, or you can simply admire the architecture, inspired by Italian palaces, as commissioned by Francis I when construction began in 1528.

It would be a shame not to explore the forest of Fontainebleau. Spread over 25,000 hectares, it is a sheer delight for nature lovers, with an abundant diversity of wildlife and plant life. A number of hiking trails are also available for visitors, some of which start in the town centre, and it's also a popular spot with climbing enthusiasts, owing to its rocky and sometimes rugged terrain.

But Fontainebleau's appeal doesn't end there. Did you know that it was also the equestrian capital? The town has impressive facilities, such as the Grand Parquet and the Hippodrome de la Solle, and hosts major equestrian events. You can also explore the surrounding area, like Barbizon, which is famous for having inspired the first Impressionist painters, the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte and Samois-sur-Seine, which hosts the Django Reinhardt festival.

There are several options for travelling to Fontainebleau: Fontainebleau-Avon train station is on the Paris-Lyon line, and the town is also easy to get to by car. For those who prefer to fly, Roissy and Orly airports are within easy reach of Fontainebleau, with transfers by public transport or by car.

What are you waiting for?

ibis Château de Fontainebleau
ibis Château de Fontainebleau
3 out of 5
18 Rue De Ferrare, Fontainebleau
The price is ₹7,918 per night from 12 May to 13 May
₹7,918
per night
12 May - 13 May
Stay at this hotel in Fontainebleau. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast and on-site parking. Our guests praise the property condition in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (369 reviews)
Good
"Great position for palace and town. Staff very friendly and helpful. Rooms a bit small but comfortable. Heating control not very effective."

Reviewed on 13 Nov 2023

ibis Château de Fontainebleau
Campanile Fontainebleau
Campanile Fontainebleau
17 - 19 Boulevard Magenta, Fontainebleau, Seine-et-Marne
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹8,502 per night from 9 Jun to 10 Jun
₹8,502
per night
9 Jun - 10 Jun
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge).
9/10 Wonderful! (243 reviews)
"All was very good, but the Heater was broken. The staff was very nice, they provided a portable heater."

Reviewed on 3 May 2024

Campanile Fontainebleau
Hôtel & SPA Napoléon
Hôtel & SPA Napoléon
4 out of 5
9 Rue Grande, Fontainebleau, Seine-et-Marne
The price is ₹12,548 per night from 10 Jun to 11 Jun
₹12,548
per night
10 Jun - 11 Jun
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a sauna.
9.4/10 Exceptional! (18 reviews)
Belle expérience
"Très bel hôtel, un personnel fort sympathique! Je recommande !"

Reviewed on 5 Apr 2024

Hôtel & SPA Napoléon
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Résidence Château Du Mée
Résidence Château Du Mée
3 out of 5
571 Avenue Jean Monnet, Le Mee-sur-Seine
Stay at this aparthotel in Le Mee-sur-Seine. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and breakfast. Popular attractions Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte and Le Coudray Golf ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (251 reviews)
"Quiet and peaceful place. No much maintenance (E.g No housekeeping done when I was staying in 5 days )"

Reviewed on 15 Nov 2021

Résidence Château Du Mée
Residhome Aparthotel Paris Evry
Residhome Aparthotel Paris Evry
4 out of 5
1 rue Ambroise Croizat, Évry-Courcouronnes, Essonne
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service.
8.4/10 Very Good! (261 reviews)
"Property was clean, staff were very friendly, mall close by for everything you may need. The bed wasn't great but perfectly fine for a couple of nights. I would definitely stay again."

Reviewed on 4 May 2024

Residhome Aparthotel Paris Evry
Residhome Suites Paris Sénart
Residhome Suites Paris Sénart
4 out of 5
12bis Allée du Trait d'Union, Carré Sénart, Lieusaint
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and breakfast (surcharge).
8.2/10 Very Good! (370 reviews)
"The room is really big and nicely appointed but the air con system was not working so it was way too hot inside. Unfortunately as it was a “party” quite late on the outside patio just below our room, sleeping with the window open was not an option. So we did not sleep well at all. After a long day ..."

Reviewed on 22 Aug 2022

Residhome Suites Paris Sénart
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Fontainebleau

4.8
Top destination
5 - Excellent
3
" "5 - Excellent 75%
4 - Good
1
" "4 - Good 25%
3 - Okay
0
" "3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
31 Jul 2019

Lived near for ten years so know it well!!

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