10 Reasons You Should Visit Chateau Fontainebleau

Oh, Paris, the city of love!  A city that is undoubtedly on everyone’s bucket list.

Paris was part of our whirlwind honeymoon, including Paris, Rome, and Capri.  While Paris is amazing and full of wonderful things to do, it’s also nice to escape from the city. 

When you’re ready for a day trip from Paris, Chateau de Fontainebleau, Paris, is the perfect escape from the city. 

Not only is it located in a super quaint village in France, but the house and grounds are immaculate! 

The Chateau de Fontainebleau is a wonderful piece of French history that is well worth your valuable vacation time.

Read to discover the ten reasons you should visit Chateau de Fontainebleau, Paris, and make it part of your Paris itinerary like we did during our 3 Days in Paris.

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Reasons to Visit Chateau de Fontainebleau, Paris

Chateau de Fontainebleau is WAY less crowded than Versailles.

Really, friends, Versailles gets overrun with tourists.  

Everyone wants to see the famous palace, and we understand that, but Chateau de Fontainebleau, Paris, is just as magnificent and far less crowded.

Over 5 million people visit the Palace of Versailles every year. 

That is a lot of people to contend with. 

While the Chateau de Fontainebleau isn’t unknown, it has far fewer visitors annually, making it much for a pleasant experience while you are visiting.

Visiting the Chateau Fontainebleau gives you a great insight into French history and the French Revolution while allowing you to tour a fabulous Imperial residence.

This beautiful palace, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was once called home by many French Kings, including Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte (Napoleon III), who was directly involved in the French Revolution.

Other French Kings that called the Chateau de Fontainebleau home include Louis XV, Louis XVI, and Louis XIII, to name a few.

An Easy Day Trip From Paris

Fontainebleau Palace is an easy day trip from Paris. You don’t even need to rent a car!

Leave from Central Paris at the Paris Gare de Lyon train station and take the train to Montargis Sens or Montereau (stopping in Fontainebleau-Avon).

When you arrive at the Fontainebleau Avon station in Fontainebleau from the Gare de Lyon, head out front and catch the “Ligne 1” bus heading to the Chateau (they are all clearly marked).  When we went, the roundtrip train ride and the bus ticket were less than $20/person.  

The bus will drop you off just outside of Chateau de Fontainebleau, Paris’ gates, making walking inside easy.

If you prefer someone to organize the trip for you, consider taking this trip from Viator.  They will pick provide transportation from Paris and your entry ticket into Fontainebleau Palace.  

You sit back and relax! This also helps because you will have someone who can speak French with you. LOL!

Explore French History

Chateau Fontainebleau has been a royal residence for eight centuries!  

Many French ruling families lived within the walls of Fontainebleau Palace and expanded it to make the palace their own. 

This was the home of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte (Napoleon III) and Marie Antoinette, making it a divine royal residence.

Of course, all of the families that resided here were royalty.

Still, some other noteworthy residents included Henri II and his wife Catherine de Medici, which you probably know as being part of the powerful de Medici family from Florence.

The Chateau de Fontainebleau predates the Louvre by over 50 years and Versailles by more than five centuries.  It is said that Thomas Becket consecrated the original chapel in 1169!

Some of France’s greatest architects have contributed to the structure of Chateau Fontainebleau, Paris, at some point in their careers. 

You will notice the different architectural styles when you visit. 

Despite the additions and changes over time, the architects did a fabulous job of integrating these styles to make the beautiful chateau that greets visitors today.

If you are interested in learning more about Chateau Fontainebleau, Paris’ history, visit the Chateau’s website.

See the Famous Horseshoe-Shaped Staircase.

The Chateau architecture was amazing, but I loved the horseshoe-shaped staircase in the beautiful oval courtyard! 

This gorgeous piece of architecture was constructed for Louis XIII. 

It was here that Napoleon Bonaparte took a final salute from his guards.  Man, if this staircase could talk!

This is the perfect place at Chateau Fontainebleau to catch some awesome Instagram photos!  All of your friends will be jealous.  LOL!

Want an even better photo?  Then take to the skies with a one-hour hot air balloon ride over the chateau!  Your sweetie won’t see that surprise coming!

Visit the Royal Apartments and Throne Room

The Royal Apartments at Chateau Fontainebleau were one of my favorite parts. These private apartments were the center of life for the French rulers while at Fontainebleau Palace.

Marie Antoinette is said to have considered Chateau Fontainebleau, Paris, a respite retreat in the country after being at Versailles. 

The rules and expectations around being in court at Versailles could be exhausting, but Chateau Fontainebleau was a nice escape from all of this.

Marie Antoinette created two gorgeous spaces here in the chateau that allowed the women of the chateau to gather and enjoy themselves before stepping out into public. 

She created a Turkish boudoir to entertain a close circle of friends. 

Her second space in the royal apartments was the silver boudoir her husband, Louis XVI, had given to her. 

You visit the silver boudoir toward the end of your self-guided tour.  Don’t overlook it, as it has some beautiful antiques.

Napoleon Bonaparte’s throne room is another incredible one you can see at Chateau Fontainebleau, Paris. 

As requested in 1805 by Napoleon I, the throne room is the only such room in France that is still in its original state. 

Napoleon’s throne is housed in what was formerly the King’s Chamber.  The luxurious fabrics and the opulent decor demand attention and respect.

The throne was installed in the alcove that was once where the king’s bed was, making this a truly unique throne room.

It’s important to note that Napoleon’s coronation was done by Pope Pius VII right here in Chateau Fontainebleau, just adding to the lush history of this beautiful chateau.

Tour the Galleries and Theatre

Don’t rush through your tour of Chateau Fontainebleau, Paris.  I know it is vast, but take time to relax and take it all in.  The opulent decor and the amazing architecture will have you mesmerized.

One of the most famous galleries of the chateau is the Francois I Gallery.  This passage is 200 feet by 20 feet and leads you from the front of the chateau to its interior is spectacular. 

Keeping the key to the inner sanctum around his neck, Francois only allowed certain visitors to experience this area. 

Honestly, I can see why. 

While making your way through, you are surrounded by stunning works of art from Italian artists and masters. 

The frescos and life-size figures all seem to have found their place in history and stand just waiting to be viewed.

Take time to really enjoy this space.  Notice the view of the pond out of the windows and imagine what it would have been like to be in this amazing place as your country emerged from the Middle Ages.

Of course, this is just one of the beautiful galleries in the chateau. 

During your visit, you will have the opportunity to see the Francois I gallery and many other delightful and historic places throughout the home. 

The galleries include The Galerie de Diane, The Galerie des Cerfs, The Galerie des Colonnes, and the Imperial Theatre.

Again, all home to some of the most famous artworks from Italian artists of the time.

Check Out the Four Museums

In addition to the home’s beautiful architecture and opulent surroundings, you can also visit the four museums within the Chateau Fontainebleau, Paris.  These Museums include The Empress’ Chinese Museum, The Napoleon Museum, The Galerie de Peinture, and The Furniture Gallery.

The Empress’ Chinese Museum houses the Far-Eastern collection of Empress Eugenie.  French and British soldiers acquired Most of these pieces during the Sack of the Summer Palace in Beijing.

The Napoleon Museum has a wide variety of artifacts for you to view. These include furniture, priceless paintings, gold and silver, arms, costumes, and historical documents.

The Galerie de Peinture, the Paintings Gallery, includes pieces removed from the house because they no longer went with the decor and pieces from the Louvre that date back to the 17th century.

The Furniture Gallery allows visitors to see the beautiful antique pieces of furniture called the Chateau Fontainebleau, Paris home over the years.

While touring the museum, it felt as if we were surrounded by priceless treasures, probably because we were, as we roamed through the museums.  My favorite was the Napoleon Museum.

See the Three Historic Chapels.

The Chateau has three chapels, The Chapel of the Trinity, The chapelle basse Saint-Saturnin, and the chapelle haute Saint-Saturnin.

The Chapel of the Trinity was formerly a monastery church belonging to the Mathurin monks.  Francis I reannex the chapel to The Chateau Fontainebleau, Paris.

The chapelle basse Saint-Saturnin was consecrated by Saint Thomas Becket in 1169.  Although this disappeared under the rule of Francis I, it was later rebuilt under Louis-Philippe I, who redesigned the chapel for his daughter.

The royal chapel, the Chapelle Haute Saint-Saturnin, or the Chapelle Haute, is a two-story chapel housed in the chateau.  The upper chapel was designed to be illuminated from all sides.  

While all the chapels are gorgeous, the original chapel, the Cour Ovale, is breathtaking.

Although the chateau offers audio guides, this would have been a great place to have a private guide led by an art historian.  

I wish we had booked this trip to gain insight into the beauty and history we saw in Chateau de Fontainebleau.

Don’t miss it when you visit Fontainebleau.

Explore the Gardens

There are four main gardens at the chateau, all of which have their own character and uniqueness.  The bus will drop you off at the Jardin de Diane.  The Jardin de Diane has a statue of Diane the Huntress dating back to Henry IV.

The courtyards and gardens include the Cour Ovale, the Cour de la Fontaine, the Cour d’Honneur, the Cour des Offices, the Grand Parterre, the Jardin Anglais, the Jardin de Diane, the Grotte des Pins, the Pavillion de l’Etang, the Park.

While all the courtyards and gardens are lovely, a few are worth mentioning in more detail.  These include the Cour Ovale marking the area where the original Chateau Fontainebleau Paris. 

It is the center point of which all the buildings span out to create the beautiful chateau you see before you today. 

The Cour d’Honneur is interesting because it is closed off on three sides and looks over the town to the west.

The Grand Parterre is the largest formal English garden in all of Europe and is definitely worth some of your time during your visit to the Chateau Fontainebleau, Paris. 

The largest outdoor area of the chateau, the Park, covers 130 hectares.

The stunning gardens at the Chateau were the perfect way to spend a sunny afternoon.  

We walked across the street to a little cafe, bought a Croque Monsieur, and then returned to the gardens for a picnic lunch.  

Marty and I munched our sandwich in front of the carp pond while watching the swans swim around, and the lovers paddle through the pond on their rented boats.  It was perfect!

Get to Know the Town of Fontainebleau

While you’re here, be sure and visit the surrounding town.  The “Ligne 1” bus makes a big circle around the town, so hop back on and explore.  There are quaint cafes and charming shops to do some shopping in.

Friends, this was truly a magical day for Marty and I.  I was apprehensive at first to visit the Chateau because I was afraid it would be so closed off and too much of a museum feel…boy was I wrong!  

I strongly recommend you take this trip and enjoy some time at Chateau Fontainebleau.  You won’t regret it!

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Not only do you get great rates, but you earn free nights.  This is one of our secret weapons to get to travel more often.  We took a 4-day trip to Vegas for free using flight and hotel credits.  

Need to plan a flight and hotel?  Book with Expedia and get great savings on flight and hotel packages.

Final Thoughts on Chateau Fontainebleau, Paris

I highly recommend that the Chateau de Fontainebleau, Paris, be on your Paris itinerary. 

The lack of crowds combined with the beautiful chateau and gardens makes this a fabulous getaway from the big city during your visit to Paris.

Not only that, but you can also explore the lovely town of Fontainebleau that surrounds the chateau. There is a city bus that makes a loop around town that you can easily hop on and take a mini tour!

I love that you are immersed in French history while visiting the chateau!

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