The Château de Fontainebleau

The Château de Fontainebleau, which was restored from the First Empire onwards, was one of Napoleon I's residences and was the scene of major events in the Napoleonic saga in Seine-et-Marne.

The Château de Fontainebleau was considered by Napoleon to be "the true home of kings, the house of the ages", and it was one of the Emperor's main residences, which he refurbished from the summer of 1804 onwards to establish his power and make his coronation legitimate.

A lavish site, the Château de Fontainebleau was also a training site with the Special Military School, as well as a place of captivity for Pope Pius VII and the scene of the collapse of the Empire, with the signing of the Treaty of Fontainebleau on 11th April 1814 and, a few days later, Napoleon's farewell to the Imperial Guard in the Cour d'Honneur.

Practical information:

  • Place du Général de Gaulle, 77300 Fontainebleau;
  • Open every day from 9.30 am to 5 pm except on Tuesdays;
  • Further practical information on the chateaudefontainebleau.fr website.

How to get there?

From Paris, take the A6 (Porte d'Orléans or Porte d'Italie), take the Fontainebleau exit. Then go in the direction of Fontainebleau and follow the signposts for "château". The town has several car parks.

Take the train at Paris Gare de Lyon (main lines) in the direction of Montargis, Montereau or Laroche-Migennes, then get off at Fontainebleau-Avon station.

  • Take the RER B towards "Saint Rémy-Les Chevreuses / Massy", and get off at Châtelet-les-Halles,
  • Then take the RER A towards Marne La Vallée, and get off at the Paris Gare de Lyon station,
  • Take the train (main lines) towards Montargis, Montereau, or Laroche-Migennes, and get off at Fontainebleau-Avon station.

  • Take the RER B towards "Aéroport Charles de Gaulle / Mitry-Claye" and get off at Châtelet-les-Halles,
  • Take the RER A towards "Marne la Vallée" and get off at the Paris Gare de Lyon station,
  • Take the train (main lines) towards Montargis, Montereau, or Laroche-Migennes, and get off at Fontainebleau-Avon station.

From Paris, PARISCityVISION organises visits to the Château de Fontainebleau, departing from the agency located at 2 rue des Pyramides 75001 Paris.

Localiser

See also