Palace of Fontainebleau
Château de Fontainebleau
A residence of French monarchs for eight centuries. Napoleon called it 'the true home of kings.' Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Palace of Fontainebleau lies about 60 km southeast of Paris. Since the 12th century it has served as a royal hunting lodge. Francis I introduced Italian Renaissance style, giving rise to the School of Fontainebleau. Highlights include the Galerie François Ier, the Ballroom, Napoleon's Throne Room, and the Horseshoe Staircase courtyard, where he announced his abdication. The palace's Chinese Museum was arranged by Empress Eugénie and displays artifacts taken from the Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan). Outside, the grand gardens and canal, and the surrounding Fontainebleau Forest, are popular for hiking and rock climbing. Tickets cost about 15 euros; closed on Tuesdays. Take a train from Paris Gare de Lyon for about 40 minutes, then transfer to Bus Line 1.
Opening hours
Wed–Mon 09:30–17:00 (until 18:00 in summer); closed Tue
Nearby sights
- La Vallée Village
- Disneyland Paris
- Père Lachaise Cemetery
- Le Marais & Place des Vosges
- Catacombs of Paris
- Panthéon
- Notre-Dame de Paris
- Shakespeare and Company