Events & Activities

The Fontainebleau Traders’ Association is organising a sweet hunt in the shops in the town centre and a fancy dress competition in three age categories. Meet at Place de la République from 2.30 pm.

Storytelling tours by candlelight, musical tours, engraving and watercolour workshops, and talks on Millet: the Auberge Ganne is running a programme of events for young and old alike throughout the autumn.

A selection of board games to give you a fright, for ages 12 and over. Free, but booking required.

The Mexican restaurant Milpan is celebrating Día de Muertos with two creative workshops led by illustrator Kitzia Sámano: calaverita masks and a Mexican-style snack for 5–12-year-olds, and a framed ofrenda for those aged 13 and over.

The Cinéma l’Ermitage is hosting a preview screening of Khalil Cherti’s debut feature film, which follows a couple through their journey with assisted reproduction. The screening takes place at 8.00 pm, followed by a discussion with the director and the Fontainebleau Health Prevention Centre.

Strange cries, ghostly figures and pellets to examine: a workshop to learn all about owls, led by a naturalist from the ANVL. Fifteen places available, booking required.

On Wednesdays, from 10.00 am to 5.30 pm, Colibris Solidaires open the Bréau kitchens to teach people how to eat better without making life more complicated. The event is free of charge, funded by the CPAM, and requires registration.

A piano, a fireplace and musicians just a stone’s throw away: L’Esquisse, Barbizon’s cultural hotel, opens its lounge to music on Friday evenings and on some Sundays. Classical, chanson, jazz, baroque and electronic music will all feature this autumn.

A one-to-one session to ask all the questions you no longer dare to ask your children. Smartphones, online procedures, email. Free of charge.

Two hours to learn how to choose more sustainable fish with the Poissonnerie du Littoral, followed by a cooking session with chef Karim Yemmi. Free workshop from 10.00 am to 12.00 pm, limited to 8 adults from Bellifontaine, subject to booking.

The Fontainebleau Firefighters’ Association is opening the fire station on Place Orloff for its big bingo night: 600 places, doors open at 6.30 pm, first round at 8 pm, and food available on site.

Axel Drhey and the theatre company Les Moutons Noirs offer a behind-the-scenes look at their new production: excerpts, stage rehearsals and a finale to be created together with the audience. Free admission; doors open at 9.30 am.

Waltzes, rock music and treats: the Fontainebleau CCAS is organising its first tea dance, from 2 pm to 5 pm in the function room at the Municipal Theatre. Open only to residents of Fontainebleau aged 60 and over; free of charge, but registration is required.

The Fontainebleau Lions Club invites the Pays de Fontainebleau Brass Quintet to perform at the Protestant church: a programme of classical music, film scores and jazz, in aid of ABC Domino for Madagascar. Refreshments will be served during the interval.

Five ships set sail, only one returned, and a journal that made Magellan a legend. The geographer Giulio Lucchini is launching the «Journals from the Ends of the Earth» series at FLC, with free admission.

The story of Spain’s very first women’s football match, screened as a preview at the cinema in the presence of the Aiglonnes de Fontainebleau team. Screening at 8 pm, the day before the film’s national release.

An hour of their time, in the town hall’s finest reception room, and enough to treat several people. One Wednesday a month, by appointment.

The Grand Parquet swaps horses for bargain hunters: a huge autumn flea market on the public holiday, with free entry. Exhibitors, book your pitch.

A child and adolescent psychiatry unit, troubled teenagers, overwhelmed carers. Following Cédric Kahn’s film, professionals working in youth mental health, including a psychologist from the Fontainebleau Mental Health Centre, open the debate.

A researcher, a one-hour talk, followed by a discussion with the audience. The FabLab Moebius ‘Café des sciences’ returns every year from November to January; it’s free and open to all.

Forty-five employers and over 140 job vacancies near you, from 10.30 am to 4 pm, with no breaks. CV advice, a youth zone and employment services all in one place.

Paris–Tehran, 4,211 km: the journey undertaken by Mina and Fereydoun, as told by their daughter, who was born in France. A play that has won two Molière Awards, at 8.30 pm.

A sneak preview of new releases, literary news discussed over a coffee, and a Saturday morning that couldn’t get off to a better start than with a spot of shopping.

The region’s first short film festival: screenings of the selected films and an awards ceremony judged by a panel of professionals, with a special prize for filmmakers from the Pays de Fontainebleau.

The monthly shopkeepers’ flea market is back at Place Napoléon Bonaparte. Antique and vintage furniture and art objects, just a stone’s throw from the castle.

Gérard Sablier, chairman of the Friends of the Fontainebleau Organ, will be performing works by Sweelinck, Grigny, Raison, Böhm and Bach on the organ at Saint-Louis Church. Admission is free, with a voluntary contribution towards costs.

Clothes, crockery, books, jewellery and items made by the residents, from 10.00 to 16.30. Every purchase helps fund projects run by the residents of the care home.

Who decides how water is used, and for what purpose? Georges Tillard’s documentary raises this question, after which the director and two researchers from Mines Paris PSL discuss it with the audience.

A healthy starter, main course or dessert, presented to a panel of judges including the mayor of Fontainebleau, with Tefal prizes to be won. The competition brings the ‘Santé dans l’assiette’ workshops organised by Colibris Solidaires to a close, from 10.00 to 17.30.

Why do our earliest relationships matter so much, right up until the day we become parents ourselves? Psychologist Joanna Smith will be speaking on this topic at the town hall, from 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm. Admission is by donation, but booking is essential.

Short stories, songs and finger plays for toddlers, one Wednesday morning a month. Free, booking required.

As part of Documentary Month, the Avon Media Centre is screening *Réinventer l’enfance*, a film by Ève Simonet about incest and the taboos surrounding it, followed by a discussion with the Collectif Enfantiste. At 8.00 pm, free admission, ages 16 and over.

Our mobile phones have changed our daily lives and those of our children. Najat Vallaud-Belkacem is coming to speak about this at INSEAD – free of charge and with no booking required.

On Saint Helena, Napoleon dictates his memoirs to Las Cases and fights his final battle – the one that has become legendary. A play by Nathalie Ganem at 8.30 pm, as part of the Impériales de Fontainebleau festival.

How our shopping affects the climate, our rubbish bins and our wallets – all over a free cup of coffee. Free workshop organised by Shifters Sud 77; register by Thursday 19 November.

A drink in hand and stories for grown-ups: the storytellers from Sur Paroles are taking up residence at the Hôtel Victoria, exploring the themes of «Mirrors and Reflections» and «Silence and Secrets». Suitable for ages 10 and over.

Having travelled from the Cordillera del Condor in Ecuador, some guardians of the Amazon are stopping off in Fontainebleau. The programme includes a screening of Julien Belin’s documentary «Arutam», followed by a discussion with them.

Clint Eastwood, Ennio Morricone and Sergio Leone on the big screen, in the original language, followed by a discussion. The first film screening and discussion in the Italian trilogy organised by FLC and Ciné-Bleau.

At the station square, from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm, Prévention Routière and the municipal police will be checking the lights on bicycles and scooters and handing out high-visibility gear. Free workshops for all road users.

Two collections at the Butte Montceau at the weekend, from 10.30 am to 3.30 pm. The time slot that puts an end to the ‘weekday’ excuse.

Rap, breakdancing and DJs at the Maison dans la Vallée forum, from 7.00 pm. Rapper Saturnz, winner of the Tremplin 77 competition, is the headline act. Free admission, for aged 15 and over.

The Maison des Associations is transformed into a dance floor for the FLC’s festive evening: brightly coloured tops, Cédric on vocals, a group dance routine and donations for the Telethon. Open to members and their families only; free of charge, subject to booking.

The Word-Lovers’ Club, for 8 to 12-year-olds. It’s a place to share your favourite books and find inspiration when you’re stuck for something to read.

A treasure hunt featuring mechanical boxes at the Municipal Theatre, a sweet hunt at local shops and a spooky games evening at the media centre: the full Halloween programme for Fontainebleau.

Faces with bold, flat colours and gazes that stay with you. The Kelly Arty gallery is exhibiting portraits by Valente, an artist from the Fontainebleau area.

Madeleine Béjart and Jean-Baptiste Poquelin in their later years, a troublesome family secret, and a dialogue that *La Montagne* described as «lively and very funny».

Seeds and driftwood, carved and accented with gold, set against the deep blues of the cyanotype. These are the last few days to see Ivan Loncle and Kala artisanat on Rue Royale.

Three days of competition over the All Saints’ Day bank holiday, featuring everything from beginner ponies to professional riders. Free entry, and the perfect long weekend to take the children to see the horses.

Eleven stage costumes designed by Christian Lacroix, inspired by Marie-Antoinette, will be on display throughout the château’s tour route all summer. Included in the admission price.

Milliner Rose Bertin and hairdresser Léonard take you behind the scenes to discover the Queen’s elegance. Three tours a day during the All Saints’ Day holidays; the tour lasts 1 hour.

Those who are barely noticed, in the background, have decided to speak out. The amateur theatre group ‘L’Âne Vert’ is performing *Delphine* by Vigan on Saturday at 7.30 pm and on Sunday at 5 pm.

Artmosphère brings together a variety of photographic perspectives for a weekend in the heart of Fontainebleau. Saturday from 11am to 7pm, Sunday from 10am to 6pm.

Mycologists from the ANVL will be displaying mushrooms collected in the forests of Fontainebleau and Villefermoy, and helping visitors to identify them. A free event, ideal for families.

An elderly soldier, an African boat, and memories flooding back: Vincent Barraud performs Laurent Gaudé’s play solo on stage, on Saturday at 7.30 pm and on Sunday at 5 pm.

Furniture, porcelain, silverware, tapestries, uniforms and scientific instruments: the Royal Charity Workshop room showcases the refinement of the Age of Enlightenment. Free admission.

Ceramists, soup served in their bowls, and two days of talks, pottery-making workshops and performances. The third edition of a pottery market celebrating the craft, from 10am to 6pm.

In Colette’s study, amidst the drafts, a writer’s calling takes shape. Nathalie Prokhoris in a one-woman show, on Saturday at 7.30 pm and on Sunday at 5 pm.

A saucepan, a crate, a kitchen utensil: Philippe Mothe engraves everyday objects and pays tribute to them. The exhibition opens on the first evening at 6 pm, in the presence of the artist.

A weekend of competition at the Lucien Martinel Sports Hall: the French Karate Federation is organising its French Wushu Sanda Light Cup there.

Now in its fifth year, the Fontainebleau Napoleonic Weekend follows in the footsteps of the Emperor’s army: virtual reality at the Charité Royale, talks, strategy games, theatre, drumming and a First Empire-style ball. Most events are free to attend.

Red sandstone grafted with dead wood collected in the forest: an installation featuring a video projection and shadow play. A free exhibition running for seven weeks.

The Django Reinhardt Festival’s autumn programme takes over the Municipal Theatre: three evenings, six concerts, ranging from Roberto Fonseca and Vincent Segal to the Mathias Lévy Trio, plus a young talent showcase with free admission.

Harpagon, his chest and his ten thousand écus: the resident company of L’Âne Vert is performing Molière’s masterpiece on Saturday at 7.30 pm and on Sunday at 5 pm.

Historians and curators unpick the legend and history of the royal couple over two days in the Salle des Colonnes. A dramatised reading of the Queen’s letters at midday; 19 places available.

Four artisans from Fontainebleau and Barbizon have created their own croissants as a tribute to Marie-Antoinette. Rose, raspberry, mixed red berries: it’s up to you to choose your favourite.

Wawapod recreates masterpieces from art history stroke by stroke, blending pop art and optical art. Opening and live painting on the gallery’s street art wall on Saturday 10 October, from 2pm to 7pm.

Olivier Long, a painter from Bellifontaine, is exhibiting «L'Éternel été», a collection of paintings inspired by the fires in the Forest of Fontainebleau. The exhibition opens at 6 pm on the opening day; admission is free.

A relaxing 35-minute stroll through the château's legendary gardens. Audioguide in 7 languages and breathtaking views of the Grand Parterre and the Grand Canal.

L'Esquisse is hosting a new exhibition dedicated to Edmond Verstraeten (1870–1956), a Flemish Luminist painter. A journey into the light and landscapes of Flanders – free admission.

How Louis XVI reclaimed the image of the good King Henry IV on the eve of the Revolution. A special exhibition in the Saint-Louis rooms, included in the castle’s admission ticket.

Over 120 works, on loan from Versailles, the Louvre and the BnF, recounting the royal couple’s seven stays right here. The exhibition of the year, included in the price of admission to the château.

Building a rocket to be launched from Villaroche, programming an experiment for the International Space Station, a combat robot or a game in Python: four year-long projects for young people at the Moebius FabLab.

Whether it’s Franco-Belgian comics, graphic novels, comics or manga: the media centre’s comics club welcomes both enthusiasts and those who don’t know where to start.