Third edition of the Heritage Week at the Charité Royale media library, from Saturday 19 to Saturday 26 September 2026. This year’s theme: The Twilight of the Bourbons. In other words, the final years of a court that was still living at Fontainebleau and had no idea what lay ahead.
What makes this week so interesting is a detail that few people are aware of: the media library holds around 35,000 heritage volumes, an incunabulum from 1484, an illuminated Book of Hours from 1493 and over 900 antique engravings. For the rest of the year, these items can be viewed by appointment, which must be made three days in advance. That is when the storage area is opened.
Saturday 19 September: guided tours of the heritage reserve. Four one-hour sessions, at 10.00, 11.00, 15.00 and 16.00, on the theme «Discovering the gems of the historical collection». Now is your chance to see the items that are never usually on display.
On Sunday 20 September, the media centre is open from 3 pm to 6 pm. One of the few Sunday openings of the year, which coincides with European Heritage Days.
Tuesday 22 September at 6.30 pm, a talk by Jean Vittet, «Marie-Antoinette and Louis XVI at Fontainebleau».
Wednesday 23 September at 2.00 pm, children’s writing workshop, «Heritage through Poetry», for 8–12-year-olds. Booking required.
Friday 25 September at 3.00 pm: round-table discussion organised by the Fontainebleau Historical Society.
Saturday 26 September at 3.00 pm, lecture by Patrick Daguenet, «Marie-Antoinette, a music-loving queen at Fontainebleau».
Charité Royale Media Library, 15 Rue Royale, right in the centre of Fontainebleau, a five-minute walk from the château. Some events require advance registration, at the 01 64 22 26 36 or on the media library’s website.
Please note: We would be delighted to check your establishment details. It's free, but to make sure it's you, please complete the information below.