Last updated on August 30th, 2023
Just an hour outside of Paris sits the exquisite Chȃteau de Fontainebleau. Once home to some of the country’s most influential figures, including Napolean Bonaparte himself, thousands visit each year.
Chȃteau de Fontainebleau survived the French Revolution, was occupied by the Germans in WWII, and was even the official abdication place of Napolean I. It is therefore hard to believe that this impressive residence has remained under the radar.
And since the chȃteau is located in the center of town, you can spend an entire day exploring the area. From a guided castle tour, a leisure stroll through the park, and lunch at a charming cafe, you can experience all that Fountainbleau has to offer.
Taking a day trip to Chȃteau de Fontainebleau from Paris is the perfect amount of time to see the iconic palace and learn about the many monarchs who called it home. Here are some essential tips on visiting the royal palace and a glimpse into its extraordinary history.
History of Chȃteau de Fontainebleau
Fontainebleau was first constructed as a hunting lodge in the 12th century and later transformed into a more permanent residence. From around 1134, Fontainebleau was the home of French Royalty, far before the Palace of Versailles was even a thought. And as any extensive royal palace should be, it had been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Throughout the centuries, each monarch who called Chȃteau de Fontainebleau home has put their own mark on the residence. Today’s palace has over 1,500 rooms adorned in the most luxurious fashion. The first sovereign to live at Fontainebleau was Louis VII. At this point, Fountenbleau was not nearly as lavish a place as you see today.
Of all the historical figures to live in Fountainblue, François I and Napoleon Bonaparte are the ones to put their stamp on the palace. François I was the first King to give the castle an extensive makeover in the 16th century. He drastically expanded the size and regalness of the former building in the Renaissance style of his day.
When you visit the King’s chambers, watch for the initial “F” carved throughout the room. You will also find some other symbols and initials left by other Kings and Queens who called Fountainbleu home.
In 1804, when Napolean became emperor, he chose to reside in Fountainbleu over the Palace of Versailles. He spent no expense refurbishing the entire chȃteau to his liking. He used the palace as both a full-time residence and a place of business.
How to Get to Chȃteau de Fontainebleau from Paris
If you are visiting Fountainbleau as part of a day trip from Paris, the train will be the best form of transportation. The total travel time is around an hour and a half by train. One of the most direct routes is from Paris Gare de Lyon to the Fontainebleau-Avon train station.
From there, bus line 1 towards Les Lilas will take you the rest of the way to the Chȃteau stop. You can also take a taxi the rest of the way. Since Founainebleu is a larger town, you can find plenty around the train station.
Tours are also another way to get to Fontainebleau. They take care of the planning for you, and many day tours to Fountainbleu from Paris come with additional perks such as skip-the-line entrance and a guide.
If you have a car, there is plenty of paid parking around town. One of the closest underground decks is the Napoleon Parking deck, a 5-minute walk to the palace’s main entrance.
Best Time to Visit Chȃteau de Fontainebleau
One of the best parts of visiting Fontainbleu is the lack of crowds that other chȃteau such as Versailles draws. It is such a surprise to see just how beautiful the place is. We visited during peak tourist season and did not feel like we had to fight any crowds and could explore the entire palace at our own pace.
One thing to consider is that such a large building does not have central heating, and none of the rooms has open windows. It, therefore, can get quite hot inside! If you want to beat the heat, I recommend visiting early in the morning, especially if you plan on strolling through the gardens.
Tickets and Visiting Information
Opening Hours
The palace is from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm, Wednesday to Monday, with final entry at 4:45 pm. Between April and September, you can visit until 6:00 p.m. The park and gardens stay open and are free to enter.
We were surprised when we visited in the middle of the day in June and were able to walk right in without any queue.
Palace Tickets
Entry to the park and gardens is free, and palace tickets cost €12. EU residents 25 years of age and under can visit the inside of the chȃteau for free. You can purchase general admission tickets in advance on the chȃteau’s website.
For an additional €4, you can get an audio guide to take you around to the different exhibits. Although there are many informative signs around the palace, an audio guide adds much more information to your self-guided tour.
Guided Tours
There are several guided tours available at Fontainebleau, which last about an hour and a half. Tours allow you to skip the lines and allow you to roam the palace and gardens on your own before or after your experience.
The Discovery Tour is one of the best all-around experiences. You will learn about the castle’s history from its construction to the present day. Your guide will also talk about the sovereigns who lived there.
In addition, you could purchase guided tours to the Small Apartments, the Imperial Theater, or Marie Antoinette’s boudoir. Some of these areas can only be visited as part of a small group or private tour.
What to See at Fontainebleau
One of the most photographed parts of Chȃteau de Fontainebleau is the horseshoe grand staircase located in the main courtyard. The current staircase was built in 1632 during Louis XIII’s reign. Known for its beauty and ingenuity, the regal sandstone staircase has become an iconic part of the castle.
After you marvel at the intricate structure, continue into the main entrance to explore the palace. With such a vast number of rooms, only sections of the interior of the chȃteau or open to visitors.
The two main exhibits you can visit display a mixture of decor, furnishings, and artifacts from the palace’s many owners. Both these exhibits are included in a self-guided tour with an audio guide.
The Royal Apartments
The Royal Apartments showcases the living quarters of several Kings and Queens who lived at Fountainbleue over the centuries. The King’s Apartments are accessed by a grand staircase. From there, your self-guided tour will take you through the King’s Apartments.
One of the first rooms you’ll enter is the guard room which is almost completely empty of furniture. The room was where guards would stand watch over the monarch’s apartment. Napoleon III later turned the room into a formal dining room. From there, you walk through several more rooms used for guests or the monarch.
One of the largest rooms in the Royal Apartments is the King’s bedchamber which Napoleon I transformed into a Throne Room in 1808. The room has been kept as it was during Napoleon I’s reign, adorned with a large marble fireplace, gold decor, and lavish furnishings,
From the King’s Apartments, you will continue to the Queen’s Apartments. The living quarters consist of the Tapestry room, the Francois I salon, the Queen’s Silver Boudoir, and the Queen’s bedchamber. The king’s wives, including Marie Antoinette, all lived here.
The last stop was the Pope’s Apartments, which were more like a luxurious prison. They are known as the Pope’s apartments after Pope Pius VII was imprisoned in these in 1812. Before that, they were the living quarters of the Queen-Mothers.
The Napolean Museum
The Napolean Museum contains a sizeable collection of everyday items he used, including that of his family. You can find a collection of costumes, weapons, ceramics, and furniture owned by Napoleon during his 10-year reign.
The exhibit also contains impeccable portraits of Napolean and his family spread throughout the series of rooms. One of the most impressive is the ceremonial portrait of Napoleon I in his coronation costume located in the first room.
Other Rooms to Explore
Although the Napolean Museum and Royal Apartments are the two main portions of the chȃteau to visit, you can explore several other areas such as the palace ballroom.
The Ballroom is absolutely exquisite. Every inch of the high-ceiling room is adorned with frescoes or wood paneling, and the floor-to-ceiling windows brighten up the entire place. Like other sections of the Fontainebleau, the Ballroom features a Ranessance-style design.
Another room designed during the 16th century is the Francois I Gallery. The gallery is actually a long hallway, but it is as lavishly designed as any other room in the palace.
While you continue through the palace, you will come across the top level of the Royal Chapel of the Trinity. You can marvel at the baroque-style chapel from a large door on the top floor or see it up close to the main level.
One of the newer sections of the palace is the library. The library was commissioned by Napoleon III and holds over 20,000 books. The large room is lined with tall bookshelves and decorated with a curved fresco ceiling. Unfortunately, you can only admire this room from afar.
Gardens and Grounds
Strolling through the gardens, you may notice a resemblance to those at Versailles. That is because gardener André Le Notre designed both. Over 130 hectares of combined gardens, parkland, and outdoor areas surround Fountainbleu. The gardens are free to enter during visiting hours, but the park is open to visitors at all hours of the day.
One of the prettiest outdoor areas is the Grand Lake, located directly behind the palace. It is the perfect place to come for a leisurely picnic as you watch couples and family row around the water.
In front of the lake is a large outdoor terrace where you will find snack stands and people admiring the views of the lake. Or better yet, stroll to the opposite side of the water for a more secluded spot with views of the castle in the distance.
Domaine de Fontainbleau Forest
As I mentioned earlier, fontainebleau was originally constructed as a hunting lodge. The forest surrounding the forest was the perfect place for the Kings of Fountainbley to host their hunting parties.
Most of the same forest still surrounds the palace and the village of Fountainbleu. The former hunting ground is now a protected National Park and is open to the general public free of charge.
Chȃteau de Fontainebleau from Paris FAQs
How to get to Fontainebleau from Paris by train?
The most direct route is from Paris Gare de Lyon to the Fontainebleau-Avon train station. From there, bus line 1 towards Les Lilas will take you the rest of the way to the Chȃteau stop.
Is Chȃteau de Fontainebleau worth visiting?
Yes! Chȃteau de Fontainebleau is a remarkable place and home to over a dozen French monarchs. And since it is not as known as places like Versailles, you can explore without the crowds. If you’re looking for a leisurely day trip from Paris to learn more about the country’s history, Fontainebleau is the perfect place to go.
How long does it take to visit Fontainebleau?
You can visit the castle interior and grounds in about two hours or more if you stop for lunch. Unless you plan on strolling through the park or exploring the town of Fontainebleau, you can visit as a half-day trip from Paris.
Are Fontainebleau gardens free?
Yes! The gardens and courtyards are free to visit, but they do have similar visiting hours as the chȃteau. The park is also free to visit at any time.
Conclusion
Whether you want to learn more about French history or are looking for a leisurely way to spend an afternoon, then a day trip to Chȃteau d Frountainbue from Paris is the perfect activity. With smaller crowds, beautiful architecture, and lush gardens, you will fall in love with this marvelous chȃteau.
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