The Rando des 3 Châteaux returns on 12 April 2026
Free, friendly and open to all: the great walk of southern Seine-et-Marne is back for another edition.
Every spring, this event has become a must for thousands of walkers. The Rando des 3 Châteaux is a full day's walk along the paths between Fontainebleau, Vaux-le-Vicomte and Blandy-les-Tours, three jewels of the Seine-et-Marn region's heritage. And this year, it's the Sunday 12 April 2026 that it happens.
No need to register, no need to pay: just put on your good shoes and off you go. It's as simple as that.
Three châteaux, eight centuries of history
What makes this event unique is that it provides a walking link between three monuments covering a large part of French history, all within a relatively compact area in the south of Seine-et-Marne:
- The Château de Fontainebleau The Palace of Versailles has been a royal residence since the 12th century and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From François I to Napoleon III, all the monarchs have left their mark here. It is from here that the legendary 42 km route starts.
- The Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte This 17th-century masterpiece was the result of collaboration between Le Nôtre, Le Vau and Le Brun on behalf of Nicolas Fouquet. The château that inspired Versailles, no less. There are several routes through the park and gardens.
- Blandy-les-Tours Castle This 13th-century medieval fortress has been restored by the Department of Seine-et-Marne. This is where all the routes converge, with entertainment, shows and a farmers' market. It's the festive focal point of the day.
2026 edition: 8 routes for all levels
One of the great things about the Rando des 3 Châteaux is that there really is something for everyone. The 2026 edition offers 8 routes, all of them exclusively on foot:
| Course | Distance | Departure | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🟠 Family trail | 4 km | Blandy | Accessible to PRM and pushchairs |
| 🟡 Blandy loop | 7 km | Blandy | Easy |
| 🔵 Melun - Blandy | 14 km | Melun | Intermediate |
| 🔵 Nordic Walking / Classic | 14 km | Saint-Méry | Intermediate |
| 🟢 Loop around Bombon | 21 km | Blandy | Confirmed |
| 🟣 Vaux-le-Vicomte loop | 28 km | Vaux-le-Vicomte | Confirmed |
| 🔴 The iconic crossing | 42 km | Fontainebleau | Hardened athletes only |
| + 1 new route | To be confirmed | To be confirmed | To be confirmed |
Note: full details of the routes and start times will be published a few weeks before the event on the Seine-et-Marne Department website and on the MaRando application (FFRandonnée).
The 42 km: the legendary route from Fontainebleau
This is THE route that has made the event so famous. 42 kilometres from the Château de Fontainebleau to the Château de Blandy-les-Tours, via Vaux-le-Vicomte. A route through forests, fields, villages and estates, with constantly changing landscapes.
Please note that this is not a Sunday walk. The walk starts early, between 7am and 7.30am, from the Cour des Adieux du Château (entrance on boulevard Magenta). Refreshment points are provided at Bois-le-Roi (around km 18) and Maincy (around km 34). For the return journey, shuttle buses will run from Blandy to Fontainebleau and Melun (€5 per journey, free for under-18s).
Previous editions have shown that it takes between 8 and 10 hours for good walkers. Plan accordingly.
An event that began in 2008 and has become a not-to-be-missed event
The Rando des 3 Châteaux was created in 2008 on the initiative of the Seine-et-Marne département, Seine-et-Marne Tourisme (now Seine-et-Marne Attractivité) and the Comité départemental de randonnée pédestre (Codérando 77, affiliated to the FFRandonnée).
The initial idea was simple: to create a popular event that combines nature sports and the promotion of local heritage. The gamble paid off handsomely. The 2023 event attracted over 15,000 participants from all over the Paris region and beyond.
Every year, the event mobilises around 250 volunteers to mark out the routes, provide refreshments, run shuttles and ensure safety. In recent years, a course has been added that is accessible to people with disabilities and families with pushchairs, reinforcing the inclusive nature of the event.
💡 Did you know?
This walk was originally created to help visitors discover the hidden heritage of the Seine-et-Marne, beyond its most famous sites. It takes in private paths and crosses estates that are exceptionally open to the public for the occasion. It's one of the rare times of year when you can walk freely through these estates.
Activities in Blandy: much more than just a walk
The arrival at Blandy-les-Tours is the icing on the cake. The medieval castle is transformed into a festive village for the occasion, with food trucks, restaurants, local producers' stalls, shows and entertainment for children.
New for 2026: the Château de Blandy will play host to a bardcore band called Courseval. Their concept? Cover current hits as if they had been composed in the Middle Ages, using period instruments. A 14th-century minstrel version of Lady Gaga, it promises to be memorable.
💡 Did you know?
The Château de Blandy-les-Tours almost disappeared. In the 19th century, it was used as a farm and stone quarry, and its condition deteriorated from year to year. Thanks to the purchase by the Département of Seine-et-Marne and a colossal restoration begun in the 1990s, it is now the spectacular meeting place that it is.
Practical information to remember
📅 Date : Sunday 12 April 2026
💰 Price : 100 % free (no registration required)
📍 Starting points : Fontainebleau, Melun, Blandy-les-Tours, Saint-Méry, Vaux-le-Vicomte (depending on the route chosen)
🅿️ Parking: Free car parks near the departures
🚌 Return shuttles : From Blandy to Fontainebleau and Melun (€5, free for under-18s)
🐕 Dogs: Dogs are allowed on the routes (kept on a lead), but not in the châteaux or shuttles. There are signposted dog routes around the castles.
📱 GPS route : Available a few days before on the MaRando application (FFRandonnée)
🏛️ Organisers: Department of Seine-et-Marne, Seine-et-Marne Attractivité and Codérando 77
Our tips for making the most of it
- Shoes : Choose hiking boots or at least sturdy trainers. The paths are often dirt and can be muddy in April.
- Water and snacks : Water is distributed at the refreshment posts, but bring your own water bottle or container. No cups will be distributed on site.
- Pushchairs : Only the 4km course at Blandy is suitable. For the others, you'll need off-road tyres if you try anyway.
- Timetable : Make sure you respect the start times. If you start too early, the refreshments will not be ready. Too late and the course will be cleared.
- The 42 km course : don't underestimate it. It is reserved for sporty, experienced walkers. Pack a bag with water, energy bars and a change of socks.
- Train : For those coming from Paris, Fontainebleau-Avon station (Transilien line R) and Melun station are both accessible. It's a great way to avoid the hassle of parking.
Why we love this walk in Fontainebleau
The Rando des 3 Châteaux is one of the rare events that appeals as much to families living in Blandy as to seasoned sportsmen and women and heritage enthusiasts. The atmosphere is relaxed, the landscapes between forest and plain are magnificent in April, and the festive finish in Blandy gives the day a village festival feel.
For those who already know about it, it's a pleasure that's renewed every year with a few new features. And for those who have never taken part before, the 7km route around Blandy is an excellent entry point, easy and enjoyable, giving a great overview of what the event has to offer.
See you on 12 April. Maybe we'll see you on the trails.
Useful links :
Official page of the 2026 edition (Département 77)
Events at Château de Blandy
Departure from Fontainebleau (42 km)