Major city · France
Fontainebleau
Go for one full day from Paris: château at opening, forest walk after. Sleep one night only if you want bouldering or Vaux-le-Vicomte.
Fontainebleau is a small historic town 55 km south of Paris, built around a royal château that served French kings and Napoleon for seven centuries. It is a UNESCO site with a fraction of Versailles' crowds, plus a 25,000 ha forest for walking and bouldering. Most travellers come as a day trip from Paris; one night suits climbers, golfers and slow walkers.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (crowds, heat), mid-August closures
- Airports
- CDG · ORY
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- France and Monaco ↗France has run temporary identity checks at its internal Schengen land borders since 2015; carry a passport or EU/EEA national ID on trains and buses from Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg.
- France and Monaco ↗Nights in France and Monaco draw on the same Schengen 90-in-180-day allowance as the rest of the area; Monaco does not reset or pause it.
- France ↗France is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors' fingerprints and photo at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- France ↗TGV (including the low-cost Ouigo) and Intercités night trains need a seat reservation: a rail pass alone does not let you board.
- France ↗Paris, Lyon and other large cities run low-emission zones that require a Crit'Air sticker on cars; check before you drive a hire car or your own car into a city.
- France ↗Carry your passport or national ID card: police can ask for identification, and hotels register foreign guests.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Fontainebleau112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Fontainebleau, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).France-wide
- SIM or eSIMOrange, SFR, Bouygues Télécom and Free sell prepaid SIMs in their shops and at tabacs; ID is required to register.France-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere unless signed otherwise.France-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Service is included; leave 5–10% in cash for good service.France-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.France-wide
- SafetyA safe small town; the real risks are pickpockets on the Paris trains, unlit forest paths after dark and sandstone that is slippery when wet.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsParis has free automatic public toilets (sanisettes); elsewhere use cafés (buy a coffee), museums and stations, where some charge €0.50–1 (≈ US$1–2).France-wide
- Emergency numbers112 European emergency (police, fire, ambulance) · 15 ambulance (samu) · 17 police (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany national museums close on Monday (Orsay, Versailles, Rodin) or Tuesday (Louvre, Pompidou's temporary sites).France-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportCDG Paris Charles de Gaulle (RER B to Paris then Transilien R from Gare de Lyon; about 2 h total).
- Getting aroundWalk.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee€2–4 (≈ US$3–5)
- Sit-down mealBrasserie main course€15–25 (≈ US$18–30)
- Street or quick mealBaguette sandwich€5–8 (≈ US$6–10)
- Beerbar / supermarket€5–8 (≈ US$6–10)€1.50–3 (≈ US$2–4)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week€8–20 (≈ US$10–25)
- Museum or sight ticketChâteau de Fontainebleau entry€17 (≈ US$20) adult, €15 (≈ US$18) reduced (check)
- Budget bedHostel or budget double, a night, per person€35 (≈ US$45)
- Mid-range bedMid-range hotel double room, a night, per room€140 (≈ US$170)
- High-end bedMid-range hotel double room, a night, per room€220 (≈ US$300)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €60 (≈ US$70) · Mid €100 (≈ US$120) · High €180 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CDG Paris Charles de Gaulle (RER B to Paris then Transilien R from Gare de Lyon; about 2 h total) · ORY Paris Orly (Orlyval or tram to Paris then Transilien R; about 1 h 45 min total)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Feb
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Mar
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Apr
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
May
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jul
Avoid
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Aug
Avoid
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Nov
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Dec
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Jan (11 rain days), driest Jul (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Fontainebleau: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
11 rd
Feb
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
10 rd
Mar
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
10 rd
Apr
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
9 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
10 rd
Jun
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
9 rd
Jul
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8 rd
Aug
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
9 rd
Oct
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
10 rd
Nov
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
11 rd
Dec
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
11 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk. The centre is one main artery, Rue Grande, from the château to the far end of town; nothing in the centre is more than about 20 min on foot. Bus 3401 links Fontainebleau-Avon station with Château / Place Bonaparte in 15–20 min. A car helps for the forest, Barbizon and Vaux-le-Vicomte.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
- Paris full guide56 km (35 mi)35 mi (56 km) north-west of Fontainebleau
From Paris: Train from Gare de Lyon about 40 min, then bus · Full day
- Luxembourg City full guide280 km (174 mi)174 mi (280 km) north-east of Fontainebleau
- Brussels full guide300 km (186 mi)186 mi (300 km) north-east of Fontainebleau
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Vaux-le-Vicomte
goDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
Transilien R to Melun, then taxi or shuttle to the château
Baroque château that set the template for Versailles; candlelit evenings in summer. Public transport is thin: book the shuttle or a taxi.
Barbizon
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Bus or taxi from Fontainebleau, about 15 min
Nineteenth-century painters' village at the forest edge; half a day with a forest walk.
Paris
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Transilien R from Fontainebleau-Avon to Gare de Lyon
Trains run frequently; buy the Origine-Destination ticket at the counter or Île-de-France machines.
Provins
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min
Train via Melun or Montereau, then onward line
Medieval walled town; connections are slow, so check the timetable before committing.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre (Rue Grande, Place Napoléon Bonaparte)
Walk to the château in under 10 min; restaurants and bars on the doorstep. Best for one night without a car.
Fontainebleau-Avon station area
Cheaper beds, 30 min walk or a short bus ride to the château; useful for early trains.
Forest edge and Barbizon
Quiet guesthouses and small hotels for walkers and climbers; you need a car or bike.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €60–90 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- Mid
- €90–150 (≈ US$110–180) excl. bed
- High
- €150 (≈ US$180)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel double room1 × 1 night × €140 | €140 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €100 | €200 |
| Transilien R return from Paris2 × €10 · check | €20 |
| Bus 3401 station to château, one way2 × €2 · check | €4 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €10 | €20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €38 |
| Trip total≈ €211 per person per day, bed included | €422≈ US$500 |
2026 estimate in euros; travel from Paris and château tickets excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | €2–4 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Baguette sandwich | €5–8 (≈ US$6–10) |
| Brasserie main course | €15–25 (≈ US$18–30) |
| Beer: bar / supermarket | €5–8 (≈ US$6–10) / €1.50–3 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Château de Fontainebleau entry | €17 (≈ US$20) adult, €15 (≈ US$18) reduced (check) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | €8–20 (≈ US$10–25) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Château closed on Tuesdays, 1 Jan, 1 May and 25 Dec.
- The forest stop Fontainebleau-Forêt is served only on weekends and public holidays, and return trains do not stop there: no map, no alight.
- Bouldering areas are fragile sandstone: no chalk on painted routes, no fires, and stick to marked paths.
- Mid-August: many small shops and restaurants close for holidays.
Emergency numbers
- European emergency (police, fire, ambulance)
- 112
- Ambulance (SAMU)
- 15
- Police
- 17
- Fire
- 18
Pocket card
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FontainebleauFontainebleau
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- European emergency112
- Ambulance (SAMU)15
- Police17
- Fire18
Embassy
No embassies in Fontainebleau; they are in Paris. The US embassy is on Avenue Gabriel, the UK on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré (check addresses).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Paris Gare de Lyon → Fontainebleau-Avon, Transilien R: about €5 (≈ US$6) one way, about 40 min (check)
- Bus 3401, station → Château / Place Bonaparte: €2.15 (≈ US$3), 15–20 min (check)
- Taxi, station → town centre: about €15–20 (≈ US$18–25) (check)
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello / Good day (bon-ZHOOR)
- Merci — Thank you (mair-SEE)
- S'il vous plaît — Please (seel voo PLEH)
- Combien ça coûte ? — How much is it? (kom-BYAN sa KOOT)
- Je peux payer par carte ? — Can I pay by card? (zhuh puh pay-YAY par KART)
- Où sont les toilettes ? — Where is the toilet? (oo son lay twa-LET)
Château hours: 09:30–17:00 in winter, 09:30–18:00 in summer; closed Tuesdays (check the official site).
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Fontainebleau. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (crowds, heat), mid-August closures · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for CDG and ORY: last Transilien R departures, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: château and gardens, Rue Grande, forest edge, Fontainebleau-Avon.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (château, Vaux-le-Vicomte, Barbizon) and eat pages with last orders.
- Bouldering and forest fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialFontainebleau town hall
- officialChâteau de Fontainebleau
- officialFontainebleau tourist office
- officialVaux-le-Vicomte
- secondaryWikivoyage: Fontainebleau, revision 5313952 (CC BY-SA 4.0)