[2025 Fontainebleau Attraction] Travel Guide for Forest of Fontainebleau (Updated Apr)

1. Preparation before the trip • Ticket booking: You can book tickets in advance on the official website of the Palace of Fontainebleau or a third-party travel platform to avoid queuing on site. • Transportation: If you are departing from Paris, you can take a train to Fontainebleau from Paris Lyon Station, get off at Fontainebleau-Aven Station, and then take a bus directly to the palace; you can also choose to drive or charter a car, the journey takes about 1 hour. • Other items: Prepare comfortable shoes for walking around the palace and gardens, and bring some snacks and water. 2. Sightseeing tours • Palace architecture: Admire the François I Gallery, which combines Renaissance-style murals with traditional French sculptures. Visit the Napoleon I Museum, which displays artifacts and souvenirs from the Napoleonic era. Don't miss the Throne Room, which houses Napoleon's mini throne. • Courtyard Gardens: Visit the Cheval Blanc Gardens, the main entrance to the Palace of Fontainebleau, where Napoleon gave his abdication speech. Stroll through the Diana Gardens, which feature flower beds, sculptures and fountains. • Featured Pavilions: The China Pavilion houses a large collection of Old Summer Palace treasures, such as the Golden Pagoda and gilded chimes, but the opening hours are uncertain and you need to consult in advance. 3. Food recommendations • Palace Tea Room: The tea room in the Fontainebleau Palace scenic area offers a variety of refreshments and light meals, where you can take a break and enjoy a relaxing time. • Town Restaurants: There are many restaurants in the town of Fontainebleau where you can enjoy French steak, chicken stewed in red wine and other specialties at reasonable prices. 4. Sightseeing in the surrounding area • Barbizon Painters Village: Located on the edge of the Fontainebleau Forest, it is the birthplace of the Barbizon School of Painting. You can visit Millet's former residence and admire the paintings, wood carvings and gardening in the gallery museum. • Chateau Vicomte: It is a model of the Palace of Versailles. On summer weekends, 2,000 candles will be lit, making you feel like you are at a royal party. The movies "The Man in the Iron Mask" and "The Gold Diggers" were filmed here.

#fallfoliage Fontainebleau Forest, located just an hour south of Paris, is one of the best spots in France to experience fall foliage. Known for its picturesque landscapes, diverse flora, and large rock formations, the forest becomes a tapestry of red, orange, and yellow hues in autumn. Walking along the forest trails, visitors can see a beautiful variety of oaks, beeches, and pines, each contributing to the vivid color palette. The forest is also home to the historic Château de Fontainebleau, whose surrounding gardens and ponds reflect the fall colors beautifully. It's a great destination for hiking, photography, and nature walks in a serene, vibrant autumnal setting.

I have been to Paris many times, and this trip in 2019 was mainly to take a friend on a tour, but I also added a new destination that I had not visited before—Fontainebleau. After landing at Orly Airport and renting a car, we headed straight for Fontainebleau. Fontainebleau is located 80 kilometers southeast of the city center. Its French name 'Fontainebleau' means 'beautiful fountain'. In 1934, the essayist Zhu Ziqing translated it as 'Fontainebleau' in his 'Notes on Travels in Europe', which is undoubtedly a model of faithful, expressive, and elegant translation. The Palace of Fontainebleau is situated within a forest of 170 square kilometers. With its beautiful scenery, pleasant climate, and clear springs, it's no wonder that Louis VI built a castle by the spring in the 12th century as a hunting lodge. The glory of Fontainebleau, however, is attributed to the French King Francis I of the 16th century, who undertook a massive expansion of the palace. A large number of Italian artists and designers were involved, ingeniously blending the Renaissance style with traditional French art, making Fontainebleau one of the masterpieces of French classical architecture. The architectural complex of Fontainebleau, consisting of the castle, palace, courtyards, and gardens, was listed as a World Cultural Heritage site in 1981. Fontainebleau Palace also witnessed the history of France; Napoleon once imprisoned the Pope here, and later, dramatically, he was forced to abdicate at this location. Today, it has become a famous museum. In addition to its rich collections and architectural treasures, the gardens of the Fontainebleau Castle are also worth a leisurely stroll, with lush pines and cypresses and winding paths. The Fontainebleau Forest, once used for royal hunting, saw the birth of the famous 'Barbizon School of Painting', and today it is a favorite weekend getaway for Parisians. Public transportation: You can take the train from Gare de Lyon towards Montargis Sens or Montereau, get off at Fontainebleau - Avon, then transfer to Veolia BUS line 1 towards les lilas, and get off at Chateau; a one-way ticket costs 8.75 euros, and the Paris public transport weekly pass can be used. Opening hours: April to September 9:30-18:00 (entry stops at 17:15); October to March 9:30-17:00 (entry stops at 16:15); closed on Tuesdays, January 1, May 1, and December 25; the ballroom closes at 16:00 from October to March and at 17:00 from April to September; the Chinese Museum and the Pope's Suite are closed from 11:30 to 14:30 (except weekends and school holidays) Ticket price: The full price for the main exhibition area is 14 euros, but visiting the gardens is free.

The Fontainebleau Forest in France, this mysterious oasis located in the heart of France, is a paradise for nature lovers and artists, and one of the most beautiful forests in France. Here grow oaks, beeches, birches and other conifers, forming a magnificent picture. Especially in autumn, the leaves gradually change color, red and white alternating, forming a unique "Fontainebleau" tone, as if it is the palette of nature. Walking on the forest path, you can feel the tranquility and beauty of nature, as if you are in a natural oil painting. In the early 1930s, it became an informal artist's residence, and later developed into a famous "Barbizon School" for art movements. In the mid-19th century, Fontainebleau became a pilgrimage site for young artists with artistic aspirations. These artists find inspiration here and create many amazing works. If you are interested in art, why not come here to feel the magic of nature and the creation of artists. Fontainebleau Forest is an excellent choice for hiking. You can stroll along the forest path, enjoy the scenery along the way, and feel the charm of nature. If you are interested in photography, don't miss the Fontainebleau Forest. The beautiful scenery here, whether it is sunrise or sunset, can provide you with rich shooting materials. Why not bring your camera and record the beautiful moments here.

Fontainebleau in France is a hunting destination of the Royalties way back centuries. Rock formations are definitely unique in the world. It has easy to medium difficulty trails. #nyedestinations