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Château de Fontainebleau

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Historical site
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Château de Fontainebleau (France)

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The Château de Fontainebleau is one of the largest and most historically significant royal châteaux in France, with a history spanning over eight centuries. First mentioned in 1137 as a hunting lodge, it was continuously expanded and modified by nearly every French monarch from Louis VII to Napoleon III. A defining era was the reign of Francis I, who commissioned Italian artists to decorate the interiors, leading to the birth of the School of Fontainebleau and the French Renaissance style. The palace contains more than 1,500 rooms and is set within 130 hectares of parkland and gardens, adjacent to a vast forest. It is historically notable as the site where Napoleon I signed his abdication in 1814 on the famous horseshoe-shaped staircase in the Court of Honor. Since 1981, the ensemble has been a UNESCO World Heritage site and currently functions as a national museum showcasing royal apartments and extensive art collections.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C3471114182019161274
Rain mm534852416560555742596066

📋 Practical info

📍
Address
Place du Général de Gaulle, 77300 Fontainebleau
🕒
Hours
Wed-Mon 09:30-18:00, Tue closed
💶
Entry
€14 adults
🌐
Website
chateaudefontainebleau.fr
🚌
Transit
Train from Gare de Lyon to Fontainebleau-Avon, then bus line 1
🅿️
Parking
Place d'Armes parking lot opposite the main entrance
♿
Accessibility
Mostly wheelchair accessible via ramps and elevators
📷
Photos
Photography allowed without flash or tripod in the state rooms
⭐
Best time
Weekdays offer a much quieter atmosphere than Versailles
🎧
Audio guide
DE, EN, FR, IT, ES, ZH, JP, RU

Geography

Coordinates
48.40240, 2.69930

Facts

  • The palace contains a total of more than 1,500 rooms.
  • Napoleon I signed his act of abdication here in April 1814.
  • The famous horseshoe-shaped staircase was completed in 1632.
  • Pope Pius VII was held prisoner in the château between 1812 and 1814.
  • The ensemble was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1981.
  • The Gallery of Francis I is a masterpiece of the French Renaissance.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Fontainebleau ForestFontainebleau Forest<1 km · NExplore →
📍Avon2 km · EExplore →
Forest of FontainebleauForest of Fontainebleau5 km · NWExplore →
📍Champagne-sur-Seine8 km · EExplore →
📍Bois-le-Roi8 km · NExplore →
📍Orvanne9 km · EExplore →
📍Dammarie-lès-Lys13 km · NExplore →
📍Vaux-le-Pénil14 km · NExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Château de Fontainebleau (10)

Chapelle de la Trinité

Chapel in Seine-et-Marne, France, part of the Palace of Fontainebleau.

Escalier Louis XIII

Horseshoe-shaped staircase, characteristic of the Palace of Fontainebleau.

Palace of Fontainebleau🏰 castle

Palace in Fontainebleau, France, former residence of French kings.

Château de Fontainebleau🏛 museum

Royal castle in the forest of Fontainebleau, home to Francis I and Napoleon I.

🕒 Apr-Sep We-Mo 09:30-17:15+; Oct-Mar We-Mo 09:30-16:15+💶

Théâtre Impérial

Theatre in the Palace of Fontainebleau, built under Napoleon III.

Chapelle Saint-Saturnin

Chapel located in Seine-et-Marne, France.

Porte du Baptistère

Gate at the Palace of Fontainebleau, named after the baptismal font.

Théâtre Municipal

Municipal theatre in Fontainebleau.

Grotte des Pins

Artificial grotto in the park of the Palace of Fontainebleau.

Quartier Henri IV🏰 castle

Historic district with buildings from the time of Henry IV in Fontainebleau.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Why is Fontainebleau called the 'House of the Centuries'?
It was the residence of French monarchs for over 800 years, from the Capetians to Napoleon III, with each era leaving its mark.
What is the most famous exterior feature?
The horseshoe-shaped staircase on the facade is iconic. This is where Napoleon bid farewell to his guard in 1814.
How to reach the castle from Paris?
Take the 'Transilien Line R' train from Gare de Lyon to Fontainebleau-Avon stop, then bus line 1 to the castle.
What can you do in the adjacent forest?
The Forest of Fontainebleau is a paradise for hiking, cycling, and bouldering. it covers 25,000 hectares.
Is the castle accessible for wheelchair users?
Yes, most of the ground floor and the gardens are accessible. Elevators provide access to the state apartments on the first floor.
Château de Fontainebleau: where is it located?
Château de Fontainebleau is located in Île-de-France, France.
Château de Fontainebleau: what is there to see?
Highlights include Chapelle de la Trinité, Escalier Louis XIII, Palace of Fontainebleau.
Château de Fontainebleau: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Château de Fontainebleau: why is it worth visiting?
The Château de Fontainebleau is one of the largest and most historically significant royal châteaux in France, with a history spanning over eight centuries.
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