From Fontainebleau to Barbizon, biking between the Seine and the forest

"A la Petite Reine", located in Fontainebleau for more than 30 years, offers you a wide range of bicycles for rent or for purchase to ride in the forest or along the Seine.If you need to buy, to repair or to rent a bike, the staff will advise and help you to choose. The wide offer for children and adults fits the demands for everyday use or for sport passion. Here you will find the ideal bike. There is also a cloth and accessories choice useful for your cycling activities.

Welcome to the landscape painter’s village at the edge of the Fontainebleau forest. This charming village between fields and forest was a homestead to many painters who made the place famous throughout the world.Barbizon is the meeting-point of painting and nature. A village where the artists and peasants alike wore sabots, forerunners of a new genre. A small hamlet whose name was given to a famous painting school: the landscape painters. Theodore Rousseau arrived in Barbizon first, Millet joined him two years later, followed by the other Pre-Impressionnists, such as Corot or Daubigny. At the Ganne Inn, they are given meals and lodging in exchange for paintings which decorate the wardrobes, sideboards, fireplaces. These places plunge you back in time, into the atmosphere of the artists who when working on the motifs of Nature, found the most beautiful subjects.

After seven years of work, the Turkish boudoir of Marie-Antoinette and Josephine opened again his doors in May 2015.Marie-Antoinette’s turkish boudoir Hidden in an entresol of the castle over the ceremonial room of the queen, the Turkish boudoir was the intimacy space of Marie-Antoinette in Fontainebleau. Fitted out in 1777 on plans of the architect Richard Mique and decorated by the brothers Rousseau, it shows the luxurious preferences of the old regime for the Oriental style. After the Revolution, all the furniture of the boudoir have been changed to establish the Empress Josephine’s private bedroom. The place have been decorated with Jacob-Desmalter’s creations adorned with precious fabrics. Alcove, mirrors, curtains driven by pulleys ... this exceptional ensemble has been restored thanks to the support of INSEAD and the generosity of the subscribers of the operation. They have been very helpful for Fontainebleau. The restoration work on the boudoir has focused on its painted decorations and its precious furniture made of fabrics woven with gold. Particularly fragile, the Turkish boudoir is now integrated into a new tour dedicated to the privacy of sovereigns in Fontainebleau The guided visit of the Turkish boudoir can ONLY be done in groups of seven people maximum. Reservations required.

Le centre d'hébergement de l'île de loisirs de Bois-le-Roi dispose de 166 lits répartis en trois bâtiments et de 73 lits en roulottes. "Le château" - hébergement de groupes ou de stages sportifs de 44 places en chambres multiples. Labellisé "Accueil vélo"Cette ancienne demeure de la famille Félix Potin a du caractère. Sa façade nord donne vers la Seine et la grande carrière d'équitation. Le château comporte des chambres de 3 à 9 lits au rez-de-chaussée et au premier étage. Les sanitaires sont situés sur les paliers des chambres. Le rez-de-chaussée est complété par trois salles de 40 à 100 m² , dédiées aux scolaires, à la détente ou aux réunions. "La forêt" - hébergement de groupes ou de stages sportifs de 56 places en chambres multiples. Ce bâtiment est situé à proximité du restaurant, du côté de la forêt de Fontainebleau. Il comporte 8 chambres de 6 lits (2 lits à étage et 2 lits en mezzanine) et 4 chambres de 2 lits pour l'encadrement. Les salles de bain homme et femme comportent chacune 4 douches et 3 WC. Le + développement durable : l'eau chaude des sanitaires est obtenue à partir de panneaux solaires "Les abeilles" - hébergement de groupes ou de stages sportifs de 66 places en chambres multiples. Au rez-de-chaussée ce bâtiment comporte 14 chambres (1 de trois lits et 13 de 4 lits). Ces chambres proposent 2 ou 3 lits bas et 1 lit en mezzanine. Chaque chambre comporte une salle de bain avec douche et lavabo. Les WC sont répartis dans les couloirs. Au premier étage 1 chambre de 11 lits convient à l'accueil de groupes ou de randonneurs. Ce bâtiment comporte un hall avec espace muni d'une cheminée et une salle de réunion de 48 m².  

The Château de Fontainebleau is a big part of French history! This vast building, in both classical and Renaissance style, is not only famous for witnessing Napoleon's imperial adventure.From the royal charter of 1137 to the fall of the Second Empire in 1870, the Palace of Fontainebleau saw the lives of the greatest French sovereigns from day to day. The original medieval fortress was replaced by a Renaissance palace under the guiding hand of Francois I. At that time, two Italian artists, Primaticcio and Il Rosso vied in talent and founded the first School of Fontainebleau. The Galerie François I, which leads from the royal apartments to the chapel of the Convent of the Holy Trinity, is most original with its décor of frescoes, stucco and carved wood in praise of François I. The Ballroom was completed at the time of the last Valois kings, under Primaticcio’s direction. With Henri IV, the new Bourbon dynasty took over the palace, and built new rooms with interior decoration placed in the hands of the artists of the second School of Fontainebleau. Louis XIII completed the work started by his father. Under the Sun King Fontainebleau continued to be the royal family home, and the Grand Dauphin was born there in 1661. The king’s nieces were married from Fontainebleau, and the Edict of Nantes was revoked there in 1685. Louis XV and Louis XVI would spend the autumn there and initiated new, large scale building works and interior doing-ups. After the French Revolution, Napoleon I found the palace completely emptied of its furniture but intact. He undertook to refurnish the apartments and brought the palace back to its former glory as the home of the sovereign. Napoleon Bonaparte spent his last days there before his abdication in 1814 and departure for the Elba. Louis-Philippe was the first sovereign to order a complete restoration of Fontainebleau. The restoration of the Empire in 1852 gave renewed importance to the palace, and Napoleon III became strongly attached to this home, staying there regularly with his court. Housed in the Louis XV wing, the Napoleon I museum is dedicated to the Emperor and his family, with a large collection of objects from his everyday life, weapons used in military campaigns and gifts he received. The Chinese museum, created by Empress Eugenie, displays works of art from the Far East. The Jeu de Paume court, thought to be the oldest of the three surviving in France, is open to the public with demonstrations and introductory games. Le Nôtre's French gardens, the Queen’s English garden with its Fountain of Diana, the hedge maze and the Cour des Adieux are open to the public all year round. Boat excursions on the Etang aux Carpes or horse-drawn carriage rides are available. The Domain of the Fontainebleau Palace is inscribed at the UNESCO Humanity World Heritage. There is a little train going around the gardens during the touristic season.

Displayed between the river and the forest a 9 holes part leads through a hilly ground.The UCPA run golf course is ideal for initiation or to perfection your golfing techniques. The 9 holes part “Le pic vert”, a pitch and putt exercise part (open occasionally) and the “Sitelle” a fanon part specially set up for the young players welcome you at Bois le Roi. There is also a special front of the water practice (20 posts 18 of them covered) where you can experience to hit the ball in front of a water space. 2 virtual fair ways 180 m long and 50 m wide are limited by floating lines and floating targets help to judge your hits in terms of length and direction. The clubhouse offers refreshments and snacks, the shop equipment and possibility to hire material.

A charming hotel with bedrooms with a view of the Château of Fontainebleau, since 1850.Perfect for a holiday, the Hôtel de Londres stands opposite Fontainebleau Castle. Thanks to the warm welcome and the charming rooms, guests are able to enjoy top-of-the-range services. This establishment, which has been in the family for three generations, offers a stylish and refined setting where guests are a priority. A wonderful haven where you will enjoy escaping from the stress of the city, the hotel offers the opportunity to get away from it all. Once you cross the threshold, everything is done to ensure you a complete change of scenery. In an exceptional setting in the heart of a rural and romantic town, the suites and rooms reveal a cosy atmosphere.

Situated right in the middle of the town center, only a few steps away from all the shops, 300m from the Château and a short walk from one of the most famous forests of Europe.The Hôtel Ibis Château de Fontainebleau has signed the pledge of Health and Safety Commitments. The safety and well-being of visitors is an absolute priority for this hotel.

One hour away from Paris, the Hôtellerie du Bas-Bréau, extends over one hectare. An ideal location outside the capital to enjoy nature in complete serenity.High-end seminars and meetings in this internationally renowned luxury inn where bucolic charm and refinement are harmoniously combined. It was here that Margaret Thatcher, succumbing to the French charm, said "yes! to Europe.

The Royal Mercury Hotel ("Le Mercure Royal") of Fontainebleau. A large private mansion, full of charm and refinement. Ideal for your stay, business or pleasure. 97 bedrooms and suites - Restaurant - Bar - Terrace - wooded park and private car park.10 minutes walking to the Chateau, it has a perfect position in the quiet and near to the city center. Hotel Mercure Château de Fontainebleau, rebranded itself around the symbol of horses. This slight metamorphosis is both offset and very modern. A hotel open to the new possiblities welcomes the sense of community and the spirit of sharing. More than a hotel and a restaurant, it's also a new place for living and for relaxing... You can escape from daily routines in our restaurant lounge bar and enjoy yourself weekly rendez-vous from 7pm : - Thursday : Jazz evening - Fridany and Saturday : fidderent performances on program. Juste get up late in our hotel ! Come to enjoy the brunch in Mercure Château de Fontainebleau each Sunday from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm (on reservation).

In the heart of Fontainebleau , Hotel Victoria welcomes you to it's calm clear and confortable setting.With exceptional setting, we propose you personalized and well-decorated rooms which are finely mixing the charms of this historical hotel and the comfort of modern times.

Economically-priced Hotel in the town center.72 air-conditioned cozy rooms for 1, 2 or 3 people at economic price with bathroom, WC, duvet, TV-TNT, free Wifi, and private parking. The all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet is served at attractive prices, you can enjoy it on terrace when it's good weather.

Situated between the river banks of the Seine and the forest of Fontainebleau, the leisure center has a lot to offer to the whole family: a real heaven of nature and 73 hectares of green grounds, an 8 hectare lake and a various choice of leisure activities. A nice setting for relaxation !Sport activities are proposed with trainers and equipment for initiation or intensive training during several days. There a housing facilities (166 beds) a camp site (110 spots), rooms for reunions (rental for school groups, seminaries). Golf and horse riding facilities on spot.

In the 130 hectacres of garden , you can see the evolution of the art of the garden illustrated by the Great Flowerbed ("Grand Parterre") , French-style garden designed by Le Notre, the Carp Pond, the English garden, created under the first Empire, the Garden of Diana ("La jardin de Diane"), the Park , the 1200m canal ... Remarkable trees, Diana's Fountain, the Park, exotic essences, the English river ...These royal and imperial gardens are witnesses to the evolution of taste since the 16th until the 19th century in terms of landscaping. The Renaissance gardens created for Francis Ist and Henry IVth were mainly based upon a system of draining canals which started from the different wells and the carp pond and lead to the great canal. The Grand Parterre (Huge flowerbed) was created later in a very humid part situated between the carp pond and the canal. Under the reign of Louis XIVth, this "parterre" (the biggest one in Europe) will adopt a very classical appearance du to André Le Nôtre who conceived a real perspective leading from the pond to the canal with the fountain of "Tibre" in the centre of the parterre. This royal parterre reaches from the Maintenon alley to the cascades, from the ballroom and the quarter Henry IVth to the side perspective of "Saut du Loup" (the wolf hop). The Diana Garden is the former garden of the Queen. Its name comes from the fountain (17th century) which occupies its centre. This garden is limited by the "Galerie des Cerfs" built under Henry IVth (Deer Gallery), the small apartments (Louis XVIth), the Trinity Chapel, the Real Tennis court and separated from the town by a wall with some openings. The English garden was created in its present shape under the reign of Napoleon Ist. It is organised around an artificial romantic creek. Its valley like landscape integrates some sculptures and rare species of trees and plants. The carp pond, which dates back to the Middle Ages, is bordering this garden. In the centre of the pond the architect Louis Le Vau constructed a romantic pavilion under Louis XIVth (1662).

La caverne des Brigands is located in the heart of the forest in Barbizon. Come enjoy drinks, French fries, waffles, pancakes, ice cream, and traditional brasserie cuisine. Restaurant with terrace.The large restaurant room, featuring a mountain chalet decor can accommodate groups of 20 to 80 people. For groups of more than 20 people, three menus are available on reservation. The large shaded terrace will allow you to enjoy the forest.

Discover the castle of Fonainebleau in a different way and enjoy the new small boats of the Carps Pond! Meet us at the jetty of the Carps Pond, the boater will be waiting for you next to the small gatehouse.The pier is located in front of Fontainebleau Castle at Etang aux Carpes. Come and enjoy this idyllic setting by taking a walk on board of rowing boats, which will delight young and old alike. Easy to manoeuvre, from the Etang aux Carpes you can take a distance to admire the grandeur and extent of the Château de Fontainebleau, located not far from the forest. From the Marin D'eau Douce boats you can admire the entire Château of Fontainebleau as well as the gardens and the pavilion of the pond located in the very centre of this pond. A moment of relaxation as cultural as it is exotic. ORIGINALITY You have the possibility to ride your boat with a snack and champaign. Prices depend on your order. PAYMENT Less than 12 years old children must wear a safety jacket and be accompanied by an adult. Safety jackets are available for children and adults as well.

The house of the painter, the star of the Barbizon school. In his Workshop , Millet created his greatest masterpieces, such as "The Angelus" or "The Gleaners" ("Les Glaneuses"). This place, which has kept most of it's outer appearance from the 19th century, holds many of the master's items, and original paintings from his contemporaries.In the house formerly rented by the painter in Barbizon the workshop and the ground floor are dedicated for a museum about the painter’s live and the Barbizon painters movement. It is in this place Millet created most of his masterpieces and where he and his family lived until his dead. Paintings from many artists of the Barbizon movement as well as the layout of his studio behind its wide window recall the leading painters of the Barbizon school and Millet’s life and work. One room is a showroom for nowadays artists related to Barbizon inspiration their works as well as reproductions and stamps are purchased.

It is difficult to know precisely when the inn was built. Before 1820, the only inns in the region were at Chailly. Alfred Sensier, friend of Théodore Rousseau and a historian of Barbizon, gives the date of 1824.A return to the time of the painters of the forest of Fontainebleau. The museum of the school of Barbizon is spread over two sites : the Ganne Auberge and the Workshop-House of Theodore Rousseau. One is the principal historical way-points of the artists who came to work in the forest of Fontainebleau (1830-1875). The other is the Workshop where the famous landscape artist Theodore Rousseau lived from 1847 until his death in 1867. The Exhibition Rooms of the Auberge restore the friendly atmosphere so dear to the Peint'à Ganne, thanks to the furniture and decors and through a hundred different works (Jean-François Millet , Narcisse Diaz de la Peña , Constant Troyon , Rosa Bonheur...). Luck has had it that the newspaper “L’Illustration” published a full report in 1853, illustrated with engravings, showing the pictorial treasures hidden inside this modest inn, the major part of which has come miraculously down to us. The very serious Revue des Arts published in 1854 a guided tour of the three ground floor rooms and detailed the decorations. Has have helped us reconstruct the rooms at the inn at its most brilliant period. The painted furniture and panels and the way the rooms are presented are a good representation of the painters’ inn. The restoration of the upper floor started in 1990, has revealed decoration painted or drawn by the artists when staying in the rooms. Three exhibits show the work of the Barbizon School with landscape and animal themes. A very attractive audiovisual presentation takes you back to the time of the painters of the Barbizon School Leaving behind them Parisian studios and academicism, the "painted in Ganne" came together in the Auberge de Barbizon to paint "sur le motif" and for very bohemian parties.

Outside Paris, it's one of the few examples of Italian-style theater and one of the most beautiful in the Ile de France region.Built from 1905 in a Louis XIII style combining brick and stone, the theater was inaugurated in 1912. The building comprises a reception hall, a curvilinear theater, a reception room for specific cultural events, a foyer and adjoining rooms. The theater is listed in the supplementary inventory of historic monuments. Classic and imposing, strongly integrated into the urban landscape, the theater is a major pole of attraction and cultural and artistic identity within the city. The theater is not open to visitors outside of performance times. Theater bar: open before each show, offering drinks and cold snacks, 1 hour before and 1 hour after the show.