My Journey to Fontainebleau

Hello dear travel lovers. Today I want to tell you about Fontainebleau, a place not too far from Paris and perhaps one of the most beautiful spots not only in France but in the whole world. Getting to Fontainebleau from Paris is quite easy. You can take a train from Gare de Lyon. I was staying in the northeastern part of the city and although it looked close to the station on the map, getting there actually took nearly an hour. You need to transfer three times and pass through dozens of stations. The Paris metro is quite convenient in one way, as there are stations all over the city, but on the other hand, the trains are slow and tend to stop for a long time at nearly every station.

Luckily I managed to find the right train. If you want to avoid getting lost, here is one thing to remember: the pink R line will take you directly to the château. I transferred three times on the metro, wandered around Gare de Lyon for a while, but eventually figured it out.

By the way try not to fall asleep on the train or you might miss your stop. I had a similar experience once. I was traveling from Paris to Brussels by TGV. The ride was smooth and after about two hours, the train stopped and people began getting off slowly and calmly. My brother and I were preparing to get off without rushing. But then we noticed that some people stayed in their seats while others left. Just as we were about to step out, the train started moving again. It turns out it was not the final stop. The train was continuing on to Bruges.

We were in shock. We had a hotel reservation in Brussels, our plans were all set and we only had one day. My brother and I looked at each other and hit the emergency stop button. I will never forget that moment. He pressed the button, then looked at me. Were we doing the right thing. What is the penalty. What is going to happen. The train did stop. We got off and soon we saw four officers walking toward us on the platform. Thankfully we explained that we were tourists, missed the stop by mistake and thought it was the final destination. They were very understanding, did not fine us and simply said to enjoy our visit to Brussels before letting us go. We were nervous at the time, but everything turned out fine.

Back to the train to Fontainebleau. It was warm and comfortable. Paris was freezing cold, including the apartment I was staying in, but this train had a pleasant and cozy atmosphere. I had planned this trip for this specific day because I had a weekly unlimited travel pass. With the Navigo card, you can travel freely within Paris and certain surrounding zones. Fontainebleau falls within that coverage, so both the train and bus rides were completely free.

After a train ride of about 40 minutes, we arrived in the town of Fontainebleau. One thing that stood out to me along the way was how well-maintained the French railway system is compared to some other countries. There is no trash, no graffiti on the walls, stations are in good shape and buildings are tidy and clean.

As soon as you leave the station, you will find the bus stop. Buses from here go straight to the royal château. They run on time, every 10 to 15 minutes and the ride also takes around 10 to 15 minutes. You can also walk, as it is only 4 kilometers. On a sunny summer day, this walk would definitely be pleasant. You will see a very different France along the way. This is not Paris. It is one of those typical French towns with two or three-story houses, spotless streets, calm and elegant surroundings.

What surprised me the most upon arriving was how charming and worth visiting this place is. Two hours would easily be enough to enjoy it. There is a large square, an elegant town hall and a historic cathedral. But perhaps the most beautiful part is the narrow streets and peaceful neighborhoods full of two- or three-story houses. Everything is clean, quiet and calm. Hardly any traffic. It is a complete change after Paris. If your idea of France has only been shaped by Paris, here you will meet the real, old and peaceful side of it.

There are many cafes and restaurants in town. But since most tourists are short on time, they go directly to the château. So here is good news for those looking to save time like us: there is a Franprix supermarket near the palace. From the outside, it looks like a clothing store, but when you go upstairs, you will find a full-fledged grocery store. We got ten croissants for less than 2 euros and were ready for our royal visit.

When you pass through the château gates and step into the park, the first thing that strikes you is the sheer size of the place. It is exceptionally massive. You can tell just by looking at the map, but being there is something else entirely. Even two days would not be enough to explore the entire grounds. I only had one evening, so I could not go inside the château, but I captured some parts of the exterior.

Fontainebleau is the first royal residence in Northern Europe that was not built for defense. It is not a fortress. It is a full-scale palace. It was commissioned in the 16th century by King Francis I. To design and decorate it, Italian Mannerist masters were invited. Mannerism is a continuation of the High Renaissance and a forerunner to the Baroque. The style spread across Europe from here.

After Francis I’s death, the palace was expanded by Catherine de Medici and her successors and remained the main royal residence in France until the end of the 17th century. Later, King Louis moved to Versailles and Fontainebleau was forgotten for a long time until Napoleon rediscovered it. He restored the interior and redecorated it in the Empire style. In fact, he abdicated the throne here years later.

Interest in the palace continued after Napoleon. The imperial theatre was built in later years. Many important events took place here throughout history. Summits were held. Treaties were signed. For example, in 1974, six European leaders met here and took the first steps toward founding the European Council.

However, from a historical perspective, Versailles is more famous and more frequently visited. That is why most people go there, but the real hidden gem is Fontainebleau. The inside is absolutely stunning. It has over 1,500 rooms. Plus, there are fewer tourists. And most importantly it is exceptional in its beauty.

Of all the places I have seen in France, this one affected me the most. The scenery was so moving that I struggled to hold back tears at times. I had not even planned to come today. But I found the strength to go and I am very glad I did. This place lifted my spirits and gave me renewed energy.

This château is not just another stop. It is a place I genuinely recommend. Especially if you have a weekly Navigo card, the train and bus are free. So do not hesitate. Set aside a day for it and make sure to leave some time to stroll around the town too. I left late, so I did not have time to explore the town much and I really regret that. Maybe I will come back.

Thanks for reading. See you again soon.