Fontainebleau Map and Travel Information
Château de Fontainebleau, a Forest Château Near Paris
Château de Fontainebleau is located 55.5 kilometers south of Paris, within the town and forest of Fontainebleau. The Château de Fontainebleau can be seen on a day trip or tour from Paris. There are hotels in the village of Fontainebleau.
Many Parisians head out to the forest for weekend relaxation. Tourists will want to visit the Château and gardens as well. According to Wikipedia, "300,000 people visit the palace and about 11 million people visit the forest"
Like most chateaux, Fountainebleau started as a hunting lodge in the 12th century, then expanded into a royal palace in the 15th century by Francis I. The palace has a mere 1500 rooms and sits inside 130 acres of parkland and gardens. Events like Open-Air opera are held on the grounds. Inside is is a museum devoted to Napoleon, one of the palace's many residents.
Map Showing the Château de Fontainebleau
The map is zoomed in to the Château and its extensive gardens. To see the village and more of the gardens, zoom the map out using the controls on the left. Continued zooming out will show Fontainebleau's location with respect to Paris, and will show you what isolation the chateau enjoys within the forest surrounded by the suburbs of Paris. This is a place a king could unwind.
How to Get to Château de Fontainebleau
By Train from Paris - Trains from Paris leave from the Gare de Lyon station on the Transilien or Ter trains. A trip to Fontainebleau takes 40 minutes. There are very specific directions on making this trip on Paris by Train: Paris to Fontainebleau.
By car from Paris - It will take you about an hour to drive from Paris center to Fontainebleau. After 35 minutes south on the A6 toward Lyone you'll start to see Fonteainebleau signs.
Where to Stay in Fontainebleau
As long as you're looking at royal palaces, you might as well spend your nights in a villa. The Hotel Aigle Noir (book direct) was once a 15th century noble residence. Now it's a three-star hotel and quite reasonable to stay in. It has a very high rating from folks who've stayed there.
Fontainebleau Tours
Viator offers a tour of the Chateau along with the artists' village of Barbizon as well as the chateau at Vaux le Vicomte: Barbizon, Fontainebleau and Vaux le Vicomte Small Group Day Trip from Paris (book direct).
Practical Information and Tarifs
The official web site of Fontainebleau has information on prices. In 2011 a visit to the chateau for an individual costs 10 €. Guided tours are more. Check the website.
