By Just an hour by car (or a 30-minute train ride) from Paris is the town of Fontainebleau. Located just southeast of Paris, this town is famous for Chateau de Fontainebleau, the forest of Fontainebleau, and INSEAD the business school.
Chateau de Fontainebleau
A UNESCO world heritage site, the Chateau started life in 1137 under Louis VII. Today the castle only has a small remaining part that is part of the original Chateau.
Arrival
I start my visit at 10 am in the morning. Ticket sales are automated so have your credit card on hand. If you require an audio guide, go to the ticket office to manually purchase the headset. Take the voucher and bring it to the audio guide desk for your headset.
There are lockers available and all large bags will have to be placed in the lockers.
This Chateau was home to 34 Kings and 2 Emperors and has 1500 rooms. From the outside, it doesn’t look that large but once you start roaming, you will be amazed at how far you find yourself walking.
You will start your tour with visits to the Napoleon I museum and the Pope’s Apartment. Here is where most of the crowd is. As you make your way to the greater apartments the crowd tends to fizzle out allowing you time to enjoy the beautiful rooms.
Chateau de Fontainebleau
77300 Fontainebleau, France
9:30AM – 5PM (season dependant)
The Napoleon I Museum
Napoleon is greatly associated with the Chateau de Fontainebleau. It is from here that he departed to exile. Enjoy reading about this great French army officer who rose through the ranks to become one of the greatest commandeurs.
The Pope’s Apartment
The Appartement du Pape was reserved for distinguished guests. The name The Pope’s Apartment is named so after Pope Pius VII who visited the Chateau in 1804 and again in 1812.
The Great Apartments
I enjoyed roaming the various salons, from the throne room to the ballroom to the chapel. The audio guide is extremely thorough and if you intend to listen to everyone available in the guide, give yourself a good 2 hours.
The Gardens
The Chateau itself will take 2 hours if you intend to enjoy each room and listen to the audio guide. Outside the beautiful parkland is deserving of a visit too. With 130 hectares to cover I boarded the little “train” that departed at the entrance gate at 12 noon. The ride through the gardens (without any stop) took 45 minutes. We drove through the Diana Garden, the English Garden, the Grand Parterre, and the Park. This gives you an idea of the size of the grounds and allows you views of the Chateau from all angles.
Food & Beverage
There is a cafe within the grounds of the Chateau. You can stop there for a coffee or light snack. Just outside the Chateau are many cafes offering a whole selection of choice.
Opening Hours
The Chateau is open every day except Tuesdays and 1 January, 1 May, and 25 December from 9:30 am to 5 or 6 pm (depending on the season). I would suggest checking online for the latest opening hours and times.
The gardens are open all year round and are free. Many locals enjoy the afternoon on the bench with a sandwich. If I do have a chance for another visit, I am likely to do the same.
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If you would like to experience this hotel, feel free to visit their website here:
https://www.chateaudefontainebleau.fr/en/
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