Forest of Fontainebleau, France

Forest of Fontainebleau

An ancient forest of sandstone boulders, next to a royal château.

  • All year
  • 1 night
Explore on the map
Nearby hidden places
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Things to do

2 days in Forest of Fontainebleau

Day 1

  1. MorningVisit the Château de Fontainebleau, home to French kings for eight centuries.
  2. AfternoonWalk among the sandstone boulders of the forest, around Franchard or Apremont.
  3. EveningHave dinner in Fontainebleau town.

Day 2

Visit Barbizon, the painters' village at the forest edge.

What to eat

Brie de Meaux cheese from the region.

Local tips

Make the most of Forest of Fontainebleau

Beat the crowds

Weekends are busy with Parisians and climbers. Weekdays are calm in the forest.

Best photo spot

The sandstone boulders among the trees at sunset, and the château's horseshoe staircase.

Getting there

Trains from Paris Gare de Lyon take about 40 minutes, then a short bus to the château.

Don't miss nearby

The village of Barbizon, home of landscape painters, at the edge of the forest.

Good to know

The forest is famous for bouldering. The château is quieter than Versailles and just as grand.

Secret spots

2 secret spots near Forest of Fontainebleau

Our most hidden places around Forest of Fontainebleau: fewer people, same wow. Unlock them with a route in Google Maps and a PDF guide of Forest of Fontainebleau to take with you.

47 km away
90 km away
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Plan your visit

Getting to Forest of Fontainebleau

Getting there

  • Paris-Orly Airport (ORY)45 km away
  • Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)70 km away
  • Paris55 km away
  • Reims135 km away

Reachable by car or public transport; a car gives you more freedom to explore the area. Distances are in a straight line.

At a glance

Best timeAll year
TypeNature spot
Good forNature
Getting thereCar or public transport
Stay1 night
CountryFrance

Questions

Forest of Fontainebleau: good to know

Is Forest of Fontainebleau worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you like nature. An ancient forest of sandstone boulders, next to a royal château.

How many days do you need in Forest of Fontainebleau?

Plan 1 night. Our free 2-day plan above shows how to spend your time.

When is the best time to visit Forest of Fontainebleau?

You can visit all year. Weekends are busy with Parisians and climbers. Weekdays are calm in the forest.

How do you get to Forest of Fontainebleau?

The nearest airport is Paris-Orly Airport (ORY), about 45 km away. Trains from Paris Gare de Lyon take about 40 minutes, then a short bus to the château.

What is there to see near Forest of Fontainebleau?

Nearby hidden places include Paris (56 km), Giverny (114 km) and Reims (136 km).

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