Lonely PlanetJul 9, 2026
A guide to Fontainebleau, France
Fontainebleau, southeast of Paris, is a town loved by artists, rock climbers and royalty. Plan your visit with this guide.
23 things in this story
- Nature Loisir EvasionPlaceRents kayaks on the Loing river
- Elsewhere
- Château de FontainebleauSightFontainebleau, France1900-room château home to 34 kings and two emperors
- Château de Vaux-le-VicomteSightFontainebleau, FrancePredates Fontainebleau, inspired Château de Versailles
- Forêt de FontainebleauTrain stationFontainebleau, FranceWorld-famous for bouldering, cycling, walking, horseback riding
- EuroVelo3TrailFontainebleau, FranceCycle route serpents along the Seine and the Loing
- Velectrik MoovPlaceFontainebleau, FranceRents electric bikes for cycling forest paths
- La Petite ReinePlaceFontainebleau, FranceRents traditional pedal road bikes
- river LoingSightFontainebleau, FranceRiver for cooling off, canoeing, wild-water swimming
- ChâteaubusPlaceMelun, FranceShuttle bus from Melun train station to Vaux-le-Vicomte
- Jeu de paumeSightFontainebleau, FranceReal tennis court, only historic one in France still in use
- Verrerie d’artSightSoisy-sur-Ecole, FranceArtistic glass workshop
- Bleau.infoPlaceFontainebleau, FranceWebsite for detailed bouldering area information
- Hippodrome de la SolleSightFontainebleau, FranceBienvenue sur le site officiel de l'hippodrome de la Solle.
- Grand ParquetSightFontainebleau, FranceOne of Europe's largest equestrian stadiums
- river SeineSightFontainebleau, FranceRiver for water skiing
- river YonneSightFontainebleau, FranceRiver flowing through the region
- ApikopaPlaceFontainebleau, FranceLocation de canoës kayak Ile de France, Seine et Marne, Moret sur loing, Grez sur loing, Montigny sur Loing.
- Club Nautique de ChartrettesPlaceChartrettes, FranceOffers water skiing on the Seine
- Fontainebleau marketMarketFontainebleau, France100-plus stall market held Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday mornings
- Aigle NoirHotelFontainebleau, FranceLuxury hotel in the city center
- Hôtel de LondresHotelFontainebleau, FranceFamily-run hotel in the city center
- L'AxelRestaurantFontainebleau, FranceMichelin-starred restaurant with set-lunch menu
- Top LoisirsPlaceFontainebleau, France