Château de Fontainebleau Tours
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A UNESCO World Heritage site and one of France’s largest châteaux, the magnificent Château de Fontainebleau boasts a rich resume of royal inhabitants, including Henry IV, Louis XV, and Napoleon. Built in the 12th century, the palace displays a remarkable variety of architectural styles, all set within 130 hectares (321 acres) of parks and gardens.
The Basics
Visitors can discover the Château de Fontainebleau on a guided tour or take a self-guided tour of the Grands Appartements accompanied by an audio guide. Most Fontainebleau tours run from Paris. Although it’s possible to take in the highlights on a half-day tour, a full-day tour will give you free time to explore the vast parklands. In summer, popular activities include Segway tours, horse-drawn carriage rides around the palace grounds, or boat cruises around the lake. You can also soar overhead in a hot-air balloon.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Plan at least two hours to visit the castle and gardens.
- Visitor facilities include cloakrooms, lockers, and restrooms.
- The palace is wheelchair accessible, and lifts are available for entrance to the Grand Apartments.
How to Get There
The Château de Fontainebleau is located at the heart of the Fontainebleau Forest, 40 miles (65 kilometers) southeast of central Paris—about an hour-long drive. From Paris, trains run from Gare de Lyon to Fontainebleau-Avon station, from where the Ligne 1 local bus takes you right to the château entrance in about 10 minutes. Coaches also run from Paris to Fontainebleau and Vaux-le-Vicomte, another nearby castle.
When to Get There
Fontainebleau is open daily (except Tuesdays) year round. The most popular time to visit is in summer, when you can enjoy a picnic in the park and make the most of the seasonal activities and events. The castle itself can get busy, especially in July and August, so aim for an early-morning tour to avoid the crowds, then set off to explore the park just as the tour buses roll in.
A Tour of the Royal Palace
With an incredible 1,500 rooms, there’s plenty to explore at Fontainebleau; tours typically include the the Renaissance rooms, the Papal apartment, the Francis I gallery, and Marie Antoinette’s boudoirs. Visitors can also brush on up French history at the palace museum, peek into the private apartments of Napoleon I and Josephine, his first wife, and stroll around the idyllic gardens.
Address: Fontainebleau, France
Hours: Wednesday-Monday 9:30am -6pm (closes at 5pm Oct-March)
Admission: Adults: €12
5 Tours and Activities to Experience Château de Fontainebleau
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Day TripsFontainebleau & Vaux le Vicomte Chateaux Day Trip from Paris
Take a day trip from Paris to Fontainebleau to visit two castles once home to members of France’s extravagant aristocracy. First, explore Château Vaux le Vicomte, said to have inspired the Palace of Versailles. Then head to Château de Fontainebleau, a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose history dates back to the 12th century. You have free time at each castle to look around on your own via provided audio guides, checking out the ornate architecture and opulent gardens, or upgrade for a guided tour.
... More
- 9 hours
- Free Cancellation
From
$101.99
Half-day ToursFontainebleau Forest Half Day Hot-Air Balloon Ride with Chateau de Fontainebleau
Take to the skies over Fontainebleau during a 1-hour hot air balloon ride. Enjoy the whole 3-hour experience, from inflating the balloon to the post-flight toast, as well as the views of the countryside from the balloon. Watch the forest drift by below you and keep an eye out for wildlife.
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- 3 hours
- Free Cancellation
From
$285.63
HikingElectric All Terrain Scooter In Forest Of Fontainebleau
The new activity in nature.
ALL IN TROTT offers hiking in electric scooters in the forest of Fontainebleau and its region.
Come experience new sensations with our electric all-terrain scooters.
Accessible to all friends or family, from 8 years and 1.20 m, just know how to ride a bike.
After a few minutes of taking in hand, go rediscover the exceptional sites of the forest of Fontainebleau as the Tower Denecourt, the Cross of Calvary, the gorges of Appremont, Barbizon, etc ....
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- 2 hours
- Free Cancellation
From
$52.95
HikingAll-terrain electric scooter ride along the Seine
Rental of electric scooters
With our scooters, you will discover the banks of the Seine,
the beautiful village of Samois sur Seine, the Affolantes de Bois le Roi (vertiginous houses built in the beautiful era), ...
This circuit perfectly blends the bucolic landscapes of the forest of Fontainebleau, and the towpaths along the Seine.
Accessible to all, from 10 years and 1.30 m
... More
- 2 hours
- Free Cancellation
From
$64.72
Day TripsFontainebleau Palace and The Painters' Village of Barbizon Day Trip from Paris
Escape the city for a day, and visit one of France’s most exquisite royal landmarks, on this private tour of the Château de Fontainebleau. One of the country’s largest castles, and the former home of both emperors and kings, Fontainebleau is a UNESCO World Heritage Site today. Depart in the morning from Paris via air-conditioned coach, and dedicate several hours to the palace. You’ll also have time to tour the neighboring village of Barbizon: once home to painters like Rousseau, Millet, and Corot.
... More
- 8 to 10 hours
- Free Cancellation
From
$229.42
Price varies by group size
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