Lunch at the Château de Fontainebleau. Not next to it: inside it. The Monument Café occupies the table by the château, on the Porte Dorée side, with two terraces that extend the dining area. It’s a great place to stop off between visits to the galleries, or after a stroll through the gardens, and without a ticket to the castle : the restaurant is open to everyone.
Casserole dishes and verrines, self-service
The concept is a bit of a surprise at first: self-service buffets, where everyone puts together their own platter. On the one hand, there are traditional dishes with a modern twist, served in a casserole dish. On the other hand, a whole host of small glasses savoury and sweet. It’s quick, it’s tasty, and there’s still time to visit the castle.
Lunch set menu on weekdays, brunch on Sundays
From Monday to Saturday, people come here to lunch menus : a hot meal, a few verrines, and off we go again. All-you-can-eat brunch is served on Sundays and public holidays, sweet and savoury, including casseroles.
A set design that pays tribute to Napoleon without going over the top
Furniture, materials, colours and lighting revisit the Napoleonic era, in a minimalist style: the dining room showcases the château’s architecture rather than competing with it. In fine weather, some tables look out onto the Carp Pond.
And after that, the gardens are open to the public all year round: The best way to aid digestion is a walk down to the Grand Canal.
