Château de Fontainebleau

Updated on September 13, 2026

Located in the Seine-et-Marne department, Fontainebleau lies 61 km southeast of Paris. The town is best known for its château, which has more than 1,500 rooms spread across a vast 130-hectare garden and park.

Highlights

The Cour d'Honneur

Set right at the heart of the Château de Fontainebleau, the Cour d'Honneur (Court of Honor) instantly transports you to the 18th century. To the north it leads to the Ministers' Wing, to the east to the Jeu de Paume hall, and at its center to the Renaissance Pavilion.

The Royal Library

The royal library was established at Fontainebleau in June 1544 by order of François I. It holds manuscripts and books from the library of Blois.

Chapelle de la Trinité

This former church, founded by Saint Louis, plunges you straight into the world of the Mathurin monks.

The Imperial Theatre

Built by Napoleon III, the Imperial Theatre has reopened to the public after 150 years of closure. Because of the site's fragility, however, it will likely never be possible to stage plays there again.

Infos pratiques

Tips

For 11 euros, the entrance ticket gets you into the Grands Appartements and the Napoleon I Museum. Access to the gardens and the park is free year-round. The château offers dining options at various key spots around the estate. Plenty of activities await visitors in the gardens: horse-drawn carriage rides, jeu de paume, hot-air balloon rides, boating, and an ice cream stand. Playful activities await children and adventure-seeking parents alike. The "Enquête au château" (Castle Investigation) activity lets younger visitors uncover the secret passages and hidden rooms of the château from 5 euros. The game booklet, free to download online, covers every aspect of daily life at the château through rebuses, riddles, and quizzes. Young visitors can rent costumes for the day to fully immerse themselves in the world of the château for 8 euros.

How to get there

The best way to reach the Château de Fontainebleau is to take the A6 toward Porte d'Orléans, then take the Fontainebleau exit. Signs will then guide you to the château. Alternatively, take a mainline train from Paris Gare de Lyon toward Montargis, Montereau, or Laroche-Migennes, get off at "Fontainebleau-Avon" station, then take bus line 1 toward Les Lilas to the "Château" stop.