Fontainebleau Castle – Château de Fontainebleau

(Last Update: 11.09.2024) I have good and bad news for you with this article: Good news; Now it's time to visit the beautiful castles around Paris on the blog. Bad news; There are so many beautiful castles around Paris that, as you start to get to know them one by one, you will not be able to decide which one you should visit first if you come to Paris for a limited time :) So, whether I am doing you a favor or a bad thing, we will decide together. So our first article is about one of my favorite castles. Fontainebleau Castle – Château de Fontainebleau May it be upon you… 

Fontainebleau (fontanblo) Approximately 60 kilometers from the center of Paris A city, actually a town to me. Even though it is a province according to the French administrative classification, from the perspective of an Istanbulite, a remote suburb of Paris It would be more correct to say. To date, I've only been to Fontainebleau three times. 2012During my first visit to , I only visited the garden of the castle, I did not have time to tour the castle; July 2016During my visit to , this time I could only visit the inside of the castle; There was no time left to wander around the garden; I'm out of mood :) September 2016My departure in is in the courtyard of Fontainebleau Castle opera La Bohéme was to watch…

to Fontainebleau commuter train It is very easy to reach. For this before Gare de LyonYou need to go to, from here “Ligne R” meaning you have to take the “R line” trains. The station you will get off at is Fontainebleau Avon passes as. Gare de LyonSince each of the trains departing from , even if they are trains on this line, will stop at different stations. Before boarding the train, also check on the electronic boards whether it goes to Fontainebleau Avon station or not. please. 

Of course, you will have more freedom if you go by car. Driving in Paris It is torture, but walking around Paris, especially going to such castles, is quite enjoyable. If you have a car, on the road Village of Painters BarbizonYou also have the chance to see the castle, but after all, there is always public transportation available to come to the castle. After getting off at Fontainebleau Avon station, you can reach the castle with a half-hour walk, or you can take a shuttle bus from in front of the station. To public bus number 1 You can ride. When we first came here by train, we preferred to walk from the station to the castle. In fact, we entered the garden of the castle, which is open to the public and free of charge, from the very edge of the giant park, and had the pleasure of walking through the garden towards the castle. But if you are going to visit the inside of the castle, maybe it is best not to get tired on the road and take the bus; so you know. Les Lilas I think you will wait at the bus stop for a maximum of 15-20 minutes for the bus you will take. To reach Fontainebleau Castle, take the bus. Castle of You have to get off at the stop. It may take up to one and a half to two hours to leave your hotel in the center of Paris and reach the gate of the castle by public transportation. 

Fontainebleau is located in zone five. If you came this far and chose to use public transportation, you already have Daily/Weekly/Monthly Navigo I would like to think you have a card. Navigo Your card is valid both on the suburban train that arrives here and on the bus you take afterwards. If you do not have a card, you need to buy a zone 1-5 ticket from Paris for train tickets. Detailed information about tickets and zone application Tickets and Transportation Cards You can find it in my article… 

Palais de Fontainebleau – Palace of Fontainebleau This castle, also known as , is so big that I think it will not be possible to visit the whole of it. I don't know how much of it I was able to visit, but after a while, you become exhausted after about 2 hours, both because what you see is so impressive and because of the long walking tracks, and after a while you get the desire to get around in a wheelchair :) 

Fontainebleau Castle Tuesday Open every day of the week except. It can be visited between 09:30-17:00 from October to March and 09:30-18:00 from April to September. of the museum Closed on January 1, May 1, and December 25 Please note that . And a castle Cultural Heritage Daysin, European Night of Museumsin ; Moreover It can be visited free of charge on the first Sunday of every month, except July and August. Of course, before you go, it would be beneficial to check the museum entrance prices, free entrance applications and all other up-to-date information from the official web page link at the end of the article.

Yes, we can start our trip now... However, it is a little difficult for me to recommend a track you should follow while visiting this castle. Because the castle is very branched and sometimes restoration work Because of this, the route I traveled may be different from the route you travel, but don't worry; No matter when you go, I'm sure you'll see impressive things. However, in principle, it is one of the two main sections you will visit. I. Napoleon Museum, the other is Grand Apartments passes as.

Famous in the Napoleon I Museum section Napoleon Bonoparte There are halls that you can visit within the framework of the theme. Different objects such as his costumes, famous hat, weapons, correspondence, personal belongings, paintings and sculptures are waiting for you in a magnificent palace atmosphere. Although I need to know a little more about the history of France, Napoleon, who declared himself king, had the palace redecorated to replace the furniture plundered after the French Revolution, in order to host the Pope in the best way possible and to compensate for the lack of nobility. Ironically, Napoleon signs the document abdicating the throne at Fontainebleau Castle.

Perhaps the most impressive part of the palace Grand Apartments We can say the part mentioned as . Here kings, queens and other nobles It has suites. Everywhere is so magnificent and decorated with such exaggerated pomp that, unless you are someone who looks for traces of art and architectural history, -as I said--you will faint after a while. This trip can be considered as a sociological observation to determine on-site the magnificence of those who once ruled the people (and perhaps still do today) and the source of inequality among people. 

Come on, it is understandable that nobles pray in a different section for security reasons in public places of worship, but in this castle / palace, for example La Chapelle de la Trinité – Chapel of La TrinitéThe lodge on the upper floor, where religious ceremonies are watched, seemed particularly interesting to me, and I confess that it is an equally impressive place. Meanwhile tabloid a note, Lana Del Rey'of Born to die The music video for the song was shot in Fontainebleau Castle, mainly with scenes in this chapel... 

of Fontainebleau Castle It has a story spanning from the 12th century to the 19th century.. Firstly francois 1Its construction began upon the order of , and it appeared as a medieval castle, and over the centuries the castle grew and grew with various changes, additions and more expansions. Finally III. Napoleon It is decorated by, perhaps it reaches its most sumptuous level at that time. It's already ours french architecture The image that comes to mind when we say responsible This is mostly in III. Napoleon, as if he did whatever he did...

Therefore, while visiting this castle, you interact with a wide range of architectural and art historical works from the 12th century to the 19th century. Valuable paintings, furniture, art objects, whatever else you can think of, are waiting for you in halls, rows and rows. Palace of VersaillesAfter the overwhelming touristic popularity of , it is of course an added advantage that such a magnificent palace awaits you in Fontainebleau. And as I said, the palaces you should visit are not limited to these; Detailed list at the end of the article 😉 

One of the parts that impressed me the most during my trip, which I sometimes made admiring the details, sometimes glancing at and passing by some of the halls because I was tired of walking, was the library whose photo you see below. This place used to belong to the queen, was used as a prison during the French Revolution and was badly damaged, and was later turned into a library by Napoleon Bonaparte. It is a very impressive place, approximately 80 meters long and 10 meters wide. 

It's one of the places that annoys me rather than impresses me because it's too flashy. Marie-Antoinette's bedroom happened. It would be a lie if I said that the walls covered with heavily patterned fabric and the bed with the same pattern did not make me faint, but here are the tastes, priorities, desires for luxury and ostentation of the period; When all of them come together, such a result emerges. After the queen who once slept here Concierge ServiceWhen he saw the prison cell in “from where to where?One cannot help but say. Yet this poetic justice I don't think it is. He lived very well after all...

While visiting the French palaces, one gets a better understanding of which culture and currents were influenced by the sultans in the last periods of the Ottoman Empire. It seems that the golden gilded embroideries, especially on a white background, originate from French architecture, but as someone who saw them for the first time in Yıldız Palace as a child, I always get the illusion that the French were influenced by the Ottomans. :)

One of the most impressive halls of Fontainebleau Castle is of course throne hall. When I look at the now empty thrones of the kings who sat on the throne here, ruled France, and had a say (and responsibility) in determining the fate of the world, I think of Sezen Aksu. Sultan Suleiman in the song "This world is neither for you nor for me” the words come. We are all present and absent on this stage of history, but Some of us are still there, some of us are not there anymore... 

Now that we have finished our trip with dark waters on our feet, those who still have the strength may want to visit the periodical exhibitions and other additional sections. In fact, for those who have never had the opportunity to come here, click on the link at the end of the article. It is possible to take a virtual tour of Fontainebleau Castle. After your visit to the castle, I suggest you sit at the cafe in the courtyard and have a drink; a coffee will go very well with this tour. The cafe here is much more modest than the ones in other castles, maybe only when the weather is nice, it would be good to sit on the rocky front and sip something while watching the pond. 

Afterwards, if you wish, you can visit the father of French garden landscaping. Andé Le NôtreYou can tour the huge garden designed by , or, if you have the opportunity and the season is suitable, the pond in front of the castle. You can rent a boat. Apart from this, there is also the option of traveling around the garden by horse carriage or mini train trailer. Another enjoyable activity that will seduce you but is a bit costly is Ballooning over Fontainebleau Castle! If you want to have such an experience, you can get information from the link at the end of the article. 

If you have set out from Paris, we can say that visiting the Fontainebleau Castle is a full-day activity, but if you have a car and want to see another castle while you are on the road - even if it is a bit tiring - then you can visit the nearby places. Vaux le Vicomte CastleI recommend you to visit too. There is a shuttle service between both castles, but of course it would be easier to go by car... And also the one on the road. Village of Painters BarbizonWe do not skip . Especially A Week in Paris If you are going to visit, I don't know if you would include Fontainebleau Castle on your list. 15 Days in Paris If you are going to spend time here, this is among the must-see places; Let me tell you. Especially if you get a little further away from Paris. Loire Valley CastlesYou have the chance to see, it is a completely different world...

Pleasant trips, pleasant discoveries.

Web address: chateaudefontainebleau.fr

Virtual Tour: instantstreetview.com

Information about balloon rides: franceballoons.com/to-book/ile-de-france-en-montgolfiere-fontainebleau/

Address: 77300 Fontainebleau

Related Article:

• Barbizon

Other Castles in and Around Paris:

• Louvre Museum – Musée du Louvre
• Palace of Versailles – Château de Versailles
• Vincennes Castle – Château de Vincennes
• Saint Germain Castle – National Archaeological Museum
• Chantilly Castle – Château de Chantilly
• Pierrefonds Castle – Château de Pierrefonds
• Compiègne Castle – Château de Compiègne
• Vaux le Vicomte Castle – Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte
• La Roche Guyon Castle – Château de la Roche-Guyon
• Castle of Monte Cristo – Château de Monte-Cristo
• Malmaison Castle – Château de Malmaison
• Maisons Laffitte Castle – Château de Maisons-Laffitte

For those who like to visit castles:

• Loire Valley Castles Tour Program