I arrived in Fontainebleau somewhat by chance in 2013, and immediately fell in love with the town: I've never left. Here are a few things that might just make you fall in love too... (don't say I didn't warn you 😉 )
The Château de Fontainebleau is an extraordinary architectural landmark.
💡 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW : It has been home to every French sovereign from the 12th to the 19th century. This historical continuity is unique in France, as it is the only castle to have been inhabited by 34 kings and 2 emperors.
Open every day except Tuesday, from 9.30am to 6pm from April to September, and from 9.30am to 5pm from October to March. Please note: a free left-luggage office is available to leave your bags and personal belongings during your visit. The restaurant "Les Petites Bouches de l'Empereur" offers a variety of menus. I'm a fan of the Sunday brunch with a view of the Etang aux Carpes.
The château's gardens are an outstanding example of French landscape art. The Jardin de Diane, the Grand Parterre, the Etang aux Carpes and the Parc Anglais offer peaceful strolls in enchanting surroundings. For jogging enthusiasts, these green spaces are the perfect setting for a run, with their well-maintained paths and majestic vistas. If you're staying near the park, this is clearly an experience not to be missed.
Fontainebleau perpetuates a remarkable tradition of gastronomic excellence. The Michelin-starred Axel restaurant offers gourmet French cuisine with Japanese influences. The town also boasts a number of exceptional artisans, such as Les Terroirs de France, a historic cheesemaker offering the famous "Fontainebleau", the town's emblematic cheese, or the Frédéric Cassel patisserie, whose chef was voted Patissier of the Year in 1999 and 2007, World Patisserie Champion as coach of the French team, and President of the prestigious Relais Desserts Association since 2003.
Access to Fontainebleau is particularly easy from Paris, with direct trains from Gare de Lyon making just three stops, for a journey time of around 40 minutes. Once there, you'll have easy access to the majestic 25,000-hectare Fontainebleau forest. This forest massif, the world's leading rock-climbing area, offers over 300 km of marked hiking trails, renowned rock-climbing sites such as the Apremont crags, and a varied landscape of rocky chaos, moorland and forest.
You probably won't be able to do everything during your stay, especially if you're only here for a weekend. I can't advise you enough to plan your visit in advance and book your activities, including guided tours of the castle or the region, to make the most of your stay in our beautiful city.
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