We all have a gateway to the forest of Fontainebleau: a rock we learned to climb on, a blue path we followed on an autumn Sunday, a deer spotted at dusk. Just 40 minutes from Paris, this sandstone and sandstone massif is one of the most beautiful in France, and by far the most visited. Here's all you need to know about it, and more importantly, where to start.
What brings you to the forest?
A royal forest turned playground
Before it was ours, the forest belonged to kings. A hunting ground since the year 1000, it took on its current appearance under Francis I.er and its castle. Henri IV laid out the Route Ronde, a 26 km route to follow the hunts by coach. But the real turning point came more recently, in the 19th century.e In the 19th century, the Barbizon painters (Théodore Rousseau, Jean-François Millet) set up their easels in the middle of nature and invented a new way of looking at the landscape. In 1842, Claude-François Denecourt, a former soldier under Napoleon, laid out the world's first signposted footpaths here, his famous «blue paths». The arrival of the train in Avon in 1849 did the rest: the forest became the weekend destination of Parisians. And it has remained so ever since.
Sandstone, sand and chaos
If Fontainebleau's landscape is unlike any other in the Île-de-France region, it's because of its geology. Around 35 million years ago, a sea deposited thick layers of very pure sand here. Some of this was cemented into sandstone banks, which erosion then fractured into a chaos of boulders and sculpted into platières, perched slabs of rock where water stagnates in small pools. The result: spectacular gorges, «seas of sand» like the one at Cul du Chien, and the distinctive sandstone, both gripping and fragile, that has made the massif famous the world over.
' Coming soon: our complete guide to the geology of Fontainebleau (page coming soon).
Biodiversity that has to be earned
You might think you're passing through a quiet forest, but in reality you're passing through one of Europe's biodiversity hotspots, with over 5,600 plant species and almost 6,000 animal species. Deer, roe deer and wild boar can be counted in their hundreds, discreet and visible especially at dawn. The heather moors are home to rare birds such as the pitchou warbler, and the old trees in the wilderness reserves protect insects that are hard to find anywhere else. To learn how to read these clues, the Tourist Office offers some great guided outings, on the trail of animals in the forest or discovering Franchard's biodiversity.
' Coming soon: our forest flora and fauna dossier (page coming soon).
The world cradle of bouldering
Bouldering was born here in Bleau. At the end of the XIXe In the 19th century, mountaineers came to train on the boulders before setting off for the Alps; climbing then became a discipline in its own right, with its own colourful circuits invented on the spot (and copied all over the world). Today, almost 500,000 climbers come here every year to lay their hands on the sandstone of Apremont, Cuvier or Trois Pignons. Never tried it? The Tourist Office organises introduction to bouldering for a safe start.
' Coming soon: our guide to bouldering in Fontainebleau, sector by sector (page coming soon).
Hundreds of kilometres of trails
The forest is home to almost 300 km of signposted trails maintained by the Friends of the Forest: the Denecourt blue trails for adventure, the yellow trails (6 of which are accessible by pushchair or wheelchair) for easy strolls, and the 25 Bosses circuit for sturdy legs. From the Family storytelling walk to a complete tour of the massif over several days, there's something for every calf.
' Coming soon: our guide to walks in the forest of Fontainebleau (page coming soon).
Where to start?
- Gorges de Franchard A postcard landscape of chaos and moorland.
- Apremont gorge Rocks of astonishing shapes, starting from Barbizon.
- Les Trois Pignons The sandy sea of Cul du Chien and the climbing capital.
- The Denecourt Tower A 360° viewpoint, accessible on foot from the station.
- Mount Ussy The most beautiful walk«, said Denecourt himself.
Practical info
Getting there By train: line R train from Paris Gare de Lyon, 40 minutes to Fontainebleau-Avon (and even a «Fontainebleau-Forêt» stopover in the middle of the forest at weekends). By car, there are car parks at the major sites (Franchard, Apremont, Trois Pignons).
Good to know Please note: night-time parking is prohibited in forest car parks. For climbing, autumn and winter are the best seasons, when the sandstone «sticks».
Preserving the forest
15 to 17 million visits a year, that leaves its mark. A few local reflexes: stay on the paths, don't climb on the damp sandstone (it crumbles), keep your dog on a lead from 15 April to 30 June, no fires or bivouacs outside the designated areas, and take your rubbish with you. The forest will pay you back.
See also
Parking in Fontainebleau
Introduction to bouldering
In the footsteps of animals
Storytelling walk
Biodiversity in Franchard
Military Riding School
Yoga in the forest
Frequently asked questions
How big is the forest of Fontainebleau?
Approximately 25,000 ha, including almost 22,000 ha of state-owned forest managed by the ONF (Fontainebleau, Trois Pignons and Commanderie forests).
How do you get there without a car?
By train, line R, about 40 min from Paris Gare de Lyon to Fontainebleau-Avon station. A «Fontainebleau-Forêt» stop even serves the heart of the forest at weekends.
Can you climb if you're just starting out?
Yes, there are a number of easy sections in the forest (Roche aux Sabots, yellow circuits), and the Tourist Office offers supervised introductory courses.
Are you allowed to pick mushrooms?
Yes, for family use, up to a limit of 5 litres per person per day in state-owned forests. Resale is prohibited.
Are there any walks that are accessible for pushchairs or wheelchairs?
Yes, 6 yellow paths have been adapted for people with reduced mobility (Faisanderie, Arboretum, Mare aux Évées...).