If you are planning a trip to Paris and looking for a day-trip destination that is steeped in history, rich in grandeur, and free from the overwhelming crowds of Versailles, look no further than the Château de Fontainebleau (Palace of Fontainebleau or Fontainebleau Palace as it is known in English). Located 45 miles (76 kilometers) south-east of the capital, a day trip from Paris to Château de Fontainebleau lets you trade the crowds of the city for royal history in less than an hour. This stunning palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers a glimpse into centuries of French royalty and a tranquil experience for those who seek to wander through France’s storied royal past.
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The Château de Fontainebleau was a royal residence for eight centuries, making it one of France’s most historically significant palaces. The Château de Fontainebleau was first documented in a charter issued by Louis VII in 1137, at the age of 17, though it likely existed before his time. Initially a modest, medieval hunting lodge, it was transformed into the opulent palace we see today under the reign of François I in the 16th century. François I brought Italian artists to France, infusing the château with Renaissance elegance, including the iconic François I Gallery - an icon of French Renaissance architecture.
Subsequent monarchs, including Henri IV, Louis XIV, and Napoleon Bonaparte, added their own touches, resulting in a unique blend of architectural styles, from Gothic to Renaissance to Neoclassical. Napoleon famously referred to Fontainebleau as "the true home of kings, the house of centuries" and made significant changes during his time there, including the grand throne room.
The palace is also famously known as the abdication site of Napoleon Bonaparte, who surrendered his rule here in 1814 before being exiled to Elba.
Today, the Château de Fontainebleau is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a national museum. The Château de Fontainebleau was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981 for its exceptional architectural evolution and deep historical significance. The palace reflects over 800 years of French royal history, blending Gothic, Renaissance, and Classical styles in one cohesive estate.Its richly decorated interiors, including the François I Gallery and Napoleon’s Throne Room, showcase artistic innovation that influenced European court design for centuries.
When it comes to perfect day trips from Paris, many travelers default to visiting Versailles, but the Château de Fontainebleau is a more serene and equally majestic alternative, rich in history and far less crowded. While Versailles is located only 12 miles southwest of Paris and connected to the city via the RER C train line in just a little over 30 minutes, visiting Versailles is typically a no-brainer for those looking to learn more about France's royal past. As opulent and incredible as Versailles is, however, the palace is crowded, getting more than 10 million visitors annually.
While Versailles often steals the spotlight as France’s most famous palace, the Château de Fontainebleau offers an equally rich and more intimate experience. Here are five reasons why the Château de Fontainebleau, in my opinion, is a better choice to visit than Versailles during your trip to Paris:
Fewer Crowds: Versailles’ popularity can mean long lines, packed rooms, and tickets sold out weeks in advance. The crowds really make it hard to truly savor the beauty of Versailles without feeling overwhelmed and rushed. The Château de Fontainebleau, on the other hand, is far less crowded, allowing you to explore its treasures at your own pace.
Rich Historical Layers: Unlike Versailles, which is strongly associated with Louis XIV, the Château de Fontainebleau has been shaped by numerous rulers across centuries. In fact, the Château de Fontainebleau was home to some 34 French Kings and 2 French Emperors over the course of some 800 years of French history. This diversity is reflected in its architecture and interiors, making it a fascinating time capsule of French royal history and architectural design. Additionally, the palace is historically significant as the Napoleon Bonaparte abdication site in 1814, and it now houses an impressive museum dedicated to Napoleon and his family.
Breathtaking Interiors: While Versailles is over-the-top opulent, the interiors at the Château de Fontainebleau are more refined. However, do not mistake refined for boring or dull! From the intricacy of the woodwork and sculptures in the François I Gallery - an icon of French Renaissance architecture that have come to define French Renaissance art to Napoleon’s private apartments, the interiors at the Château de Fontainebleau are beautifully detailed and intricate. Additionally - and of historical significance - the throne room of Napoleon at the Château de Fontainebleau is the only one of its kind in France still preserved in its original state.
Serene Surroundings: The Château de Fontainebleau is set amidst a sprawling forest, called the Forest of Fontainebleau (Forêt de Fontainebleau), offering miles of beautiful walking trails and gorgeous scenery. The gardens, including the Grand Parterre designed by André Le Nôtre, are equally enchanting and ideal for a quiet stroll. Its surroundings are what attracted French kings to Fontainebleau on hunting trips over the centuries.
Authenticity: The Château de Fontainebleau feels less like a tourist attraction and more like a genuine piece of history. The Château de Fontainebleau is still furnished with much of its original furniture, unlike Versailles. This detail allows you to easily imagine the kings and queens who once walked these halls without being distracted by large crowds or commercialized experiences.
However, if you still have your heart set on checking out Versailles or are looking to learn more about this storied palace, check out our blog on visiting Versailles for more information.
While everyone knows Versailles's Hall of Mirrors and over-the-top fountain displays in its beautiful gardens, the highlights of the Château de Fontainebleau are not as well known to the average traveler. The palace is massive, with more than 1,500 rooms, and can be pretty overwhelming to the first time visitor.
Some of the highlights and must-see artifacts on display at the Château de Fontainebleau are detailed below.
Visiting the Château de Fontainebleau from Paris is straightforward and easy, making it an ideal day trip from Paris. From the Gare de Lyon train station in Paris, hop on a direct Transilien train (Line R) bound for Montargis, Montereau, or Laroche-Migennes. The journey takes about 40 minutes and trains typically run twice an hour. The cost of the journey is €2.50 per person and can be paid with a Navigo card or Navigo pass for zones 1-5.
Jetset Seeker Pro Tip: Search “train Paris Gare de Lyon to Fontainebleau‑Avon timetable” on Google Maps for up‑to‑the‑minute departures.
Once you arrive at the Fontainebleau-Avon station (Gare de Fontainebleau-Avon as it is known in French), it is a short 10-minute bus ride on the #3401 Bus to the Château de Fontainebleau. The bus is clearly identifiable from the train station with plenty of signage and you can likely count on following the gaggle of other tourists to make sure you board the correct bus. The bus runs in conjunction with the train schedule, so it should be ready for you to board upon your arrival at Fontainebleau-Avon. You can pay the driver directly for a bus ticket. The cost of the bus is €2.50 per person; however, payment to the driver is only accepted in cash. You will get off the bus at the "Château" bus stop which is directly opposite the street from the Garden of Diana entrance to the palace. The buses have digital screens that identify the upcoming stops to make it easy for first-time visitors.
Alternatively, you can enjoy a leisurely 30-minute walk through the charming town of Fontainebleau to the Fontainebleau Palace. If you are looking to walk, I highly recommend using Google Maps to help you successfully navigate your way through town to the palace.
The Château de Fontainebleau is open daily, with the exception of Tuesdays. The palace is also closed on January 1, May 1, and December 25, annually. The palace is open from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM, with the last entrance at 4:15 PM from October through March. Throughout the rest of the year, April through September, the palace is open from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM, with the last entrance at 5:15 PM.
You can purchase Château de Fontainebleau tickets online ahead of your visit, or you can purchase your tickets once you arrive at the palace. The tickets, if purchased online for the Fontainebleau Palace, are valid for the entire day and are not a specific time slot. This can be a bit confusing because the online ticketing platform states the tickets are for 9:30 AM, but they can in fact be used at any time on the specified date. If you want to purchase your tickets in advance of your visit, please visit the Château de Fontainebleau website.
A room with lockers is available on-site for you to use if you are traveling to the Château de Fontainebleau with large bags or heavy coats. The lockers are available near the ticket office. Clear signs are posted to direct you to this area upon entering the Château de Fontainebleau.
As previously mentioned, the Château de Fontainebleau does not offer official guided tours in English. Nevertheless, if you are interested in a more personal exploration of one of France's most stunning palaces, or wish to pair it with another remarkable attraction nearby, like the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, you have several options.
Our affiliate partner, GetYourGuide, offers a few tours of the Château de Fontainebleau, some of which even include transportation from Paris and other incredible sites nearby. Some of the highest rated tours for the Château de Fontainebleau on GetYourGuide are below:
The best time to visit Fontainebleau Palace is during the spring (April to June) or early fall (September to October), when the weather is mild, the gardens are in bloom or full of autumn color, and crowds are thinner compared to the summer peak. Unlike Versailles, which can feel overwhelming year-round, Fontainebleau Palace is less crowded getting only 300,000 visitors per year, even in the busier summer months—making it a perfect choice for travelers seeking a more peaceful and authentic experience. Weekdays are especially ideal if you want to explore the Fontainebleau Palace highlights, stroll through the gardens, or hike in the surrounding Fontainebleau forest hiking trails. We visited Fontainebleau Palace in January and despite the chilly weather, the crowds were completely nonexistent! (We actually spent a week in Paris in January, taking a day trip to Fontainebleau Palace and a side trip to Reims. Visiting during the off-season has a truly unique charm!) We had a fantastic time visiting the palace and enjoyed not feeling rushed going from room-to-room, while listening to the audioguide. During our visit, we often time found that we were the only ones in a room at a given time.
While Fontainebleau Palace is close enough to Paris to visit as a day trip, there is plenty to do if you want to spend more time in the town, particularly if you are interested in visiting the Forest of Fontainebleau and its miles of hiking and walking trails. Some additional information regarding lodging, dining, and other things to do in Fontainebleau is below.
Fontainebleau is home to some fantastic hotels and lodging options, at affordable prices. If you are looking to stay in Fontainebleau for a night, or two, consider some of the following hotels, all within a short walk of the Château de Fontainebleau:
There is a restaurant located at the Château de Fontainebleau called Les Petites Bouches de l'Empereur. The restaurant is open daily (except Tuesdays when the Château de Fontainebleau is closed) and offers a buffet during the week and a Sunday brunch.
However, there are plenty of additional options for restaurants at varying price points and cuisines within Fontainebleau if you want to eat in town. Some of the top rated restaurants in Fontainebleau are listed below. For even more restaurant suggestions and to make dining reservations in Fontainebleau, visit TheFork.
Aside from the Château de Fontainebleau, the next largest attraction in Fontainebleau is its namesake forest - Forest of Fontainebleau. It is the second largest in France and offers plenty of opportunities for exploration. More information about things to do in Fontainebleau is below.
We thoroughly enjoyed our time visiting the Château de Fontainebleau. The palace is absolutely beautiful and full of rich history. It is also a photographer's paradise! The opulent decor and furnishings only enhance the space, allowing yourself to imagine what court life must have been like during the heyday of the Château de Fontainebleau. We did not spend much time in the town of Fontainebleau, only passing through to visit the Fontainebleau Palace. We hope to return during the warmer months when the gardens are lush and green, with the intention of spending a full day in Fontainebleau in order to to truly enjoy the town's charm. Overall, it was an easy journey from Paris and made for an incredible day trip!
A day trip to the Château de Fontainebleau is a journey into French royal history, offering a more peaceful and authentic experience than Versailles for those looking for a day trip from Paris. Whether you are captivated by Renaissance architecture, enchanted by royal gardens, or intrigued by Napoleon Bonaparte’s abdication and legacy, the Château de Fontainebleau promises to be a memorable day trip from Paris.
Jetset Seeker Pro Tip: Before you go, bookmark the official site’s billet Château de Fontainebleau and horaires Château de Fontainebleau pages for real‑time ticket and schedule updates, or simply search “visite Château Fontainebleau” on Google for the French‑language overview. From our experience, sometimes websites in their original languages get updated first!
Looking to round out your French itinerary beyond the Château de Fontainebleau? Do not miss our curated guides to other day trips from Paris, including a scenic visit to Monet’s garden in Giverny, or a even a Paris to Brussels day trip. If you are exploring the capital more deeply, we have got you covered with tips on Paris hidden gems. In need of even more information on Paris to help you plan the trip of a lifetime? Check out our Paris Travel Guide for more popular sites, incredible restaurants, and more in the City of Light!
Are you planning a trip to Fontainebleau Palace? We would love to hear from you!
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Updated 18 July 2025