Fontainebleau

Get in

Getting there is very easy from Paris.

Get around

Orientation in town is very easy as there is only one main artery called the “Rue Grande” which goes from the Castle to the other end of town, passing by the central “Napoléon Bonaparte” place. Many shops, bars and restaurants abound on either sidewalk for every possible taste. Walking is by far the best option as the most you’ll walk without stopping (very difficult thing to do considering all the pretty windows to look at) would be 20 minutes.

See

thumb|Le bassin des cascades in the park of the Château de Fontainebleau thumb|Château de Fontainebleau interior

Do

There are many cultural, sporting, entertainment or shopping activities one can do. For more information on this, the best available and updated website is the official tourism site, linked at the top of this article.

The town is also famous for a horse race track and its Sunday morning food market.

The forest is also full of sandstone boulders perfect for climbing/bouldering.

Birdwatching The walled park of the chateau provides excellent birdwatching, especially if you arrive early. The forest is also nearby.

Buy

There are plenty of shops from high-end pastry shops to the latest French fashion cloth wear and jewellery.

Eat

The town boasts many different restaurants from Mexican to Japanese, Pizza to Fish-only. Of course there are Brasseries (the most authentic being, quite unknowingly called the “Franklin Roosevelt”) and very good French restaurants (the best one being in the Hotel Napoleon).

Drink

There are plenty of places to drink, from modern ambient bars to traditional French bars, English pubs and Mexican bars.

Sleep

There are plenty of places to sleep in Fontainebleau but the three best places are the Aigle Noir Hotel, the Napoléon Hotel and the Hotel of London.

Go next

As if the town didn’t offer enough as it is, there are many other attractions in the surrounding region. Towns like Barbizon (home of the artists), Milly-la-Foret, Samois-sur-Seine, and many others.