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A building with a history, rue Royale
La Madableau is housed in a former petrol station dating from the 1950s, a clever conversion just a stone's throw from the château. It's no coincidence that this is the place to be for arts and crafts: Fontainebleau has always had a special relationship with designers and craftspeople, who find inspiration and a discerning audience here.
Discovering living know-how
You'll come across craftsmen working This is the heart of the house. More than 28 craftsmen live together in this place, representing more than twenty different professions. From jewellery to traditional embroidery, from enamelling to gilding, from stained glass to lacquer. These artisans are not just copycats: several have the Maître d'Art label or are recognised as Entreprises du Patrimoine Vivant (Living Heritage Companies). That's the real difference with a traditional shop.
Getting your hands dirty in the workshops
If you want to go beyond the tour, the house offers regular introductory workshops for all ages and all levels. You try it out, you discover the gesture, you understand why it seems easy when the craftsman does it. Registration is required, and slots rotate according to the crafts available.
A shop, not just a business
The sales part is not an accessory: the pieces on display are those of the artisans who work next door. You buy a piece knowing exactly who created it and how. It's the opposite of the de-individualised object you find elsewhere.
An evolving calendar
The programme changes every two months with temporary exhibitions dedicated to certain trades or to guest artists. The idea is to create movement, to show how things evolve, to bring the site to life through the seasons rather than leaving it static.
