Chateau de Fontainebleau

Address: 77300 Fontainebleau
Hours: Open everyday but Tuesdays. From October 1 – March 31: Open from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm (Last Admission at 4:00pm) From April 1 – September 30: Open from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm (Last Admission at 5:00) Closed on January 1, May 1 and December 25.
Fees for the Grands Apartments: : Adult 12 €, Kids under 18 free. Free the first Sunday of every month except July and August
Phone: 33 1 60 71 50 70

Paris Museum Pass

Located  about 55 km in the forests outside Paris, the history of Fontainebleau goes back almost 8 centuries to 1137 to when Louis VII came to power. Originally, it started as a hunting lodge. During the reign of Francois, major renovations and re-modelings were done to Fontainebleau castle. He invited Italian artists to decorate and remodel the castle and among those responsible are Leonardo da Vinci. Each subsequent King and Queen also left their decorative taste on Fontainebleau. As a result, the chateau consists of different styles from different eras yet with stunning works of arts.

Unfortunately, during the French Revolution the furniture was destroyed or sold. With the efforts of Napoleon the castle was once again restored to its original grandeur and more!

Part of the charm and beauty of this palace is the history behind it. No other castle in France has been home to various dynasties: Capétiens, Valois, Bourbons, Bonaparte and Orléans.

You will find 3 chapels and 4 museums at Fontainebleau Palace. The museums are:

The Empress’ Chinese Museum – collections of Empress Eugenie’s Far East collections
The Napoleon I Museum – collection of furniture, painting, objet d’art and some personal items belonging to Napoleon
Paintings Gallery
The Furniture Gallery

Some examples of historic events at Fontainebleau include the marriage of Louis XV with Marie Leszczynska and the birth of Louis XIII.

Fontainebleau castle is a beautiful palace to visit especially for Napoleon lovers.

Be prepared to spend at least one full day at Fontainebleau castle the gardens.

Paris Conciergerie is offering booking service for Fontainebleau Castle guided tours.

No dogs allowed in this castle!

To Get to Chateau de Fontainebleau:

Take the train from Gare de Lyon to for either Montargis Sens, Montereau or Laroche-Migennes and get off at Fontainebleau-Avon station. Afterwards, take the ‘Ligne 1’ bus destined for Les Lilas and with ‘Château’ as the stop.

Parivision offers guided tours of Fontainebleau.