In the heart of the town, between Rue Grande and Rue de la Paroisse, the’Saint-Louis church is the parish church of Fontainebleau. Its history is closely linked to that of the château, and today it has been given a new lease of life as concert hall, particularly thanks to its organ.
A church that grew out of a hunting lodge
Until the early 17th century, the people of Bellifontaine used to go to Mass at Saint-Pierre d’Avon. When Henry IV had the castle grounds fenced off so that he could hunt there, the congregation found themselves nearly three kilometres away from their church. The queen Marie de’ Medici so he had a church built in the town, between 1611 and 1614, by Claude Martin. The Fontainebleau we know today, with its own parish, began more or less there.
The organ and the concerts
Saint-Louis regularly hosts organ and sacred music concerts, particularly those of the Friends of the Fontainebleau Organ, which bring the instrument to life throughout the seasons. A wonderful opportunity to hear the organ in a different setting to a church service, in a nave that carries the sound well.
A stop in the heart of the city
With the market just a stone’s throw away and Rue Grande at the other end, the church is a natural stop on a stroll through the town centre – the perfect place to sit in peace for a few minutes. This page lists the concerts and events held here: keep an eye on the calendar, as the nave fills up quickly on concert evenings.
