Opened in June 2026the Café du Carrousel has set up shop on the Place Napoléon Bonaparte, just a stone’s throw from the castle gates. The location is anything but ordinary: it is one of the liveliest squares in Fontainebleau, yet also one of the most pleasant. A café in the morning, a wine bar and a beer bar as the day goes on, the venue is just as suited to a coffee break as it is to a drink with friends in the late afternoon.
At the foot of the riding hall, opposite the château garden
The name of the house echoes the old merry-go-round which has been spinning in the square for decades, this childhood carousel that gives the neighbourhood its peaceful atmosphere. Right nearby, the Jardin de Diane, one of the château’s gardens, with its fountain and tall trees, offers the perfect green retreat before or after a visit to the bar. It’s hard to find a better-situated terrace in Fontainebleau for taking a breather between a visit to the château and a stroll through the town centre.
A menu that relies on local producers
What sets this place apart is its unapologetic commitment to local. On tap, the pub showcases a selection of craft beers from Seine-et-Marne, including Crazy Hops brewed at Vaux-sur-Lunain. The ice creams are home-made and produced in Recloses, on the edge of the forest, and the coffee served in a cup comes from a Fontainebleau roasting plant. A great way to treat yourself whilst supporting local businesses and keeping money in the local economy.
Partnerships with local artisans
The Café du Carrousel doesn't work in a vacuum: to accompany its drinks, it offers local spreads prepared with the’Arnold Grocery and sausages selected from Boucherie Napoléon. A board, a glass, a mirror: almost everything here tells the story of the region.
A warm atmosphere and low prices
The ethos of the house can be summed up in a few words: warm, friendly, accessible. Blonde under pressure starts at 4 € for 25 cl, and for groups settling down to a meal, a litre of beer is available from 10 €. It’s the sort of neighbourhood café where you linger, not the sort where you rush through your drink.
Excessive alcohol consumption is harmful to your health; please drink in moderation.
