Fontainebleau: Day Trips and Tours from Paris

On a day trip to Fontainebleau from Paris, you'll be able to see how French monarchs from previous centuries used to live the high life. The town, which is located southeast of Paris is the home of the spectacular Palace of Fontainebleau Castle or Château de Fontainebleau. Find out how to get there with this complete guide, which includes information on the types of trips available and their costs.

Here's your guide to Fontainebleau, one of the most picturesque day trips from Paris.

What will you see during a day trip from Paris to Fontainebleau?

Surrounded by a forest of the same name the 12th-century Palace of Fontainebleau Castle boasts a stunning location that made it a favourite royal residence for centuries. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the country's largest royal palaces and served as the home of such monarchs as Louis XIII, Louis IV and Charles X. Explore its chapels and richly decorated rooms.

The palace encompasses four museums and the wonderful garden.

The Empress' Chinese Museum

Houses the Far-Eastern treasures of Empress Eugenie in the museum that was built especially for her.

The Napoleon I Museum

This museum is dedicated entirely to Napoleon Bonaparte and contains paintings, sculptures, costumes, ceramics, documents and historical artefacts.

The Galerie de Peinture (Paintings Gallery)

A collection of paintings that were once part of the palace's interior decor scheme.

The Furniture Gallery

A collection of furniture from the Château de Fontainebleau with some pieces dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries.

The Gardens at Chateau de Fontainebleau

Stroll through the gorgeous gardens with their scented blooms, fountains, manicured lawns and statues. Among the highlights are the lake and the Jardin de Diane. This green space is noted for its fountain with a statue of Diane the Huntress, the Roman goddess of wild animals and the hunt.

Where else will you visit on a tour from Paris to Fontainebleau?

You can also take advantage of combination tours that include the baroque 17th-century Château Vaux le Vicomte and its formal gardens and Barbizon. This village on the edge of Fontainebleau Forest is really one long street lined with studios of 19th-century painters that have been converted into museums, restaurants and galleries.

How much do Fontainebleau tours from Paris cost?

There are lots of reasonably priced tours from Paris to Fontainebleau. The costs depend on several factors such as whether you just want to tour the palace or be ferried from the capital by coach, bus or private car. Another factor that affects the cost is whether you combine your visit to Fontainebleau with other places such as Barbizon.

The lowest prices are €11 and €12 per person, which respectively cover entrance tickets and priority entrance tickets to the French royal retreat. Expect to pay between €100 and €150 for guided tours that include roundtrip transportation from Paris.

How can you get to Fontainebleau from Paris?

Fontainebleau is approximately 70 kilometers south of Paris. Your exciting trip from the French capital can be made by luxury coach, bus or private car, driven by licensed and professional drivers.

You can also make your way to the town and its 12th-century palace by public transport. Take a train (line R) from the Gare de Lyon in Paris heading towards Montargis-Sens. Get off at Fontainebleau-Avon and from this station take bus line 1 to Les Lilas and get off at the Château.

If you prefer to drive yourself in a rented car, the journey should take around one hour via the A6, the fastest route.

How long does it take to go from Paris to Fontainebleau? How long should you spend there?

With exquisite gardens and a palace of grand and sumptuous rooms, it is well worth spending some time to explore everything. A return journey by road can take around three hours, and you'll want to spend at least a few hours studying the sights. Therefore devote an entire day to your excursion from Paris.

However, if you are time-pressed, you can still pack a lot in with half-day tours, a 2-hour skip-the-line ticket and VIP private guided tours that last one and a half hours.

When is the best time to visit Fontainebleau?

The best time to take a day trip from Paris to Fontainebleau is outside of the peak summer season with its hot and sticky days. Therefore visit from April to June or during October and early November. The weather at these times is pleasant and mild, and the crowds of tourists are smaller.

What other day trips are there from Paris?

• Day trips to Giverny from Paris
• Day trips to Normandy from Paris
• Day trips to Mont Saint Michel from Paris
• Day trips to D-Day Battlefields from Paris
• Day trips to Loire Valley from Paris

Top travel tips

Here are some useful travel tips to help you make the most of your day trips from Paris to Fontainebleau.

• Some of the tours will involve a fair amount of walking so ensure you wear a comfortable pair of shoes.
• To stay hydrated, especially if you are here in the summer, bring water with you. Some of the tours don't include snacks, so you may also need to bring other refreshments.
• If you are going on your excursion during the summer, apply sunscreen to your skin and wear sunglasses.
• If you plan to take photos or videos with your phone or tablet, make sure the battery is fully charged.