Fancy a getaway combining history and the great outdoors? Head to Fontainebleau for an unforgettable weekend!
A visit to the castle is an absolute MUST. I don't want you to leave without seeing the castle. Or maybe you've already visited it. But even in that case... Start your stay with a visit to our majestic château de Fontainebleau. Tip: arrive early, around 9:30 in the morning, or in the early afternoon, to take full advantage of this architectural gem. Tip: don't miss the Salle de Jeu de Paume when you arrive! Allow around two hours to explore the Grands Appartements and the Musée Napoléon I. Don't miss the famous Galerie François Ier with its Renaissance decor, Napoleon I's Throne Room and Marie-Antoinette's Turkish boudoir.
After the interior tour, take a stroll through the sumptuous gardens. The Grand Parterre designed by Le Nôtre and the Carp Pond provide the ideal backdrop for a relaxing break (or picnic!).
If you still have the afternoon, stroll through the streets and visit the magnificent Saint-Louis church. To round off the day, Fontainebleau is full of excellent food shops (patissiers, cheesemongers, etc.), which make excellent souvenirs to take home, as well as restaurants. The food in Fontainebleau is very good, so you won't be disappointed whatever you choose, and it's REALLY safer to book as soon as you've found what you're looking for! If you'd like to know my personal opinion, I'll share my best addresses with you in my little guide.
If the weather's fine, you can't miss the magnificent Fontainebleau forest. If you're motivated, the sentier des 25 Bosses offers a varied hike through rocky chaos, flatlands and breathtaking vistas. Allow around five hours for this 17 km loop, which takes in the full diversity of the Bellifont landscape. If you're looking for something a little softer, you'll find hikes of all lengths and difficulties at the Fontainebleau Tourist Office. They always give excellent advice, and give them Emmanuel's best 😉
In case of rain, head for the charming village of BarbizonBarbizon was the birthplace of the 19th-century school of landscape painters. Visit the Musée des Peintres de Barbizon to discover works by Millet, Rousseau and their contemporaries. Then stroll through the village's picturesque lanes, dotted with art galleries and artists' studios.
This weekend in Fontainebleau is the perfect combination of history, gastronomy and nature. A royal getaway just 70 km from Paris!
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