The Oval Courtyard is the historic heart of the Château de Fontainebleau, a site of exceptional heritage importance. Formerly the site of the medieval castle, this courtyard was completely rebuilt in 1528 under Francis I, while preserving some of the original stones. For centuries, it served as the main courtyard of the château, providing direct access to the royal apartments.
Its remarkable architecture includes a portico with columns and triumphal arches, known as the “Serlio portico”, which once led to the first-floor apartments via a staircase that no longer exists. Henry IV attempted to correct the asymmetry of the courtyard by giving it a U-shape, in a constant quest to make it more majestic.
The Oval Courtyard opens to the south through the Golden Gate and to the east towards the Office Courtyard through the Baptistery Gate. The large square tower of the keep still stands here, a reminder of its medieval past.
Ideal for a family visit, this courtyard offers visitors an immersion into French royal history and the architectural evolution of the castle over the centuries.
