Trip Planner: Europe / France / Ile-de-France / Seine-et-Marne / Fontainebleau / Historic Sites / Chateau de Fontainebleau

Chateau de Fontainebleau, Fontainebleau

(2,200+ reviews on the web)

Castle History Museum

Unlike at busy Château de Versailles, the lack of crowds at Chateau de Fontainebleau means you're free to enjoy this palace almost as its inhabitants did in centuries past. This was the preferred residence of French kings and emperors for seven centuries. François I made the palace his permanent residence in 1527--breathing new life into the ruins with origins dating back to 1137. A succession of kings worked to further rehabilitate the castle, which is where Marie de Medici delivered her baby, who later became King Louis XIII. See where Napoléon I addressed his subjects after the French Revolution as you step into the Emperor's Throne Room. Italian artists Rosso and Primatice decorated the interior with frescoes, which you can still view today. Use our Fontainebleau travel itinerary maker to visit Chateau de Fontainebleau on your trip to Fontainebleau, and learn what else travelers and our writers recommend seeing nearby.

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Reviews

TripAdvisor

PretoriaTravelfreak

It really is a very impressive chateau and very interesting to listen to all the commentary. It is just a pity parts of the chateau and the gardens were closed. more »
margareth700

During our trip to Paris my husband and I took a day trip to the Château de Fontainebleau by train from Gare de Lyon to Fontainebleau Avon. It is a perfect day trip from Paris. Fontainebleau is a town... more »
Tom R

Super, enjoyed it. Lost a star due to certain parts of the site being closed for works. Which isn't a problem but it wasn't obvious until after you had paid / started the tour. more »

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Mark Schonwetter

Great tour. Loved the property. Tour was great. Lesser visited location

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Fastcoast

Fantastic day out. Full of interesting history. The grounds are very well kept with beautiful lake full of carp. The day we went had a reninactment which was wonderful. Everyone taking part had fabulous outfits all to very high standards.

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Noora Kekkonen

Beautiful, although I only saw it from outside.

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Paul Jacquet

Wonderful place! Full of history! The only throne you can see in France! Great walk in the garden and the park.

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Sean Gabriel

Beautiful chateau! Can see why Napoleon would frequent it back in the day.

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