A car-free weekend in Fontainebleau without compromise!

Day 1

Imperial Fontainebleau and the banks of the Seine by bike

From Paris, it’s easy to get to Gare de Lyon, where several trains stop at Fontainebleau-Avon. The easiest way is to take the R line towards Montargis or Montereau (allow around 40 minutes). You can take your bike with you free of charge or hire one on arrival. For departures/returns at the beginning or end of the week, on Fridays for example, make sure you choose a time that is compatible with transporting bikes: before 6.30am, between 9am and 4.30pm, or after 7pm.

Once you’re here, you can enjoy a very pleasant way of visiting the town, its countryside and its forest: by bike! From the station, take bus line 1 towards Fontainebleau – Hôtel de Ville. At the “Château” stop, it’s just a 2-minute walk to La Petite Reine, a friendly 100% bike shop where you can hire your own 2-wheeler. You can also get to the Velectrik Moov shop in just 10 minutes if you prefer an electric bike. In fact, an electric bike will allow you to ride a little further without cramping up at dinnertime!

A royal morning at the Château de Fontainebleau

Start the day with the must-see: the Château de Fontainebleau, hunting residence of the kings of France, then imperial palace. The place is sumptuous, inside and out, and it’s not for nothing that it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site! If you feel like it, you can even take a little boat trip on the carp pond, for a romantic get-together or a family outing in the sunshine. From 25 May 2025 to 21 September, the Grandeur Nature II exhibition will be on show, a new contemporary exhibition invoking the “spirit of the forest”.

Lunch break on the terrace

It’s going to be time to recharge your batteries sooner than you think, so we suggest you stop off for lunch at one of Fontainebleau’s good restaurants: La Petite Ardoise, Le Grand café, Le Café de l’étape, or Le Franklin for a moderate budget. You can also choose to have a refined and tasty sandwich at one of our good bakeries, Dardonville, Maison Deudon or Suzy et Arlette, to be enjoyed on a bench in the château grounds.

Cultural and artistic stop-off in Samois-sur-Seine

In the afternoon, set off on a bike ride to Samois-sur-Seine, a delightful blend of nature and heritage. This picturesque village will charm you with its 19th-century bourgeois houses, known as “les affolantes”, and its timeless atmosphere.

Don’t miss the Île au Berceau, a hotbed of gypsy jazz thanks to the Django Reinhardt festival that has resonated here for years. You can almost still hear the guitar chords in the air..

Before returning, a cultural stop-off is in order: the Musée Stéphane Mallarmé in Vulaines-sur-Seine. The poet’s last home, this charming house houses his personal objects and a peaceful garden where you can stroll like he did.

Late afternoon in guinguette mode

Instead of going straight back to your cosy room, treat yourself to a festive break on the banks of the Seine at the Samoreau guinguette, with its relaxed atmosphere and soft music by the water, perfect for sipping a drink at the end of the day and even enjoying a meal in a warm, festive atmosphere.

And if you prefer to stay in town, head to the Place du Théâtre in Fontainebleau, where the summer guinguette welcomes you in a friendly atmosphere with deckchairs, garlands of lights and small dishes to share. It’s the holiday spirit just a stone’s throw from the château!

Day 2

Immerse yourself in the forest and the arts at Barbizon

The next day, it’s time for nature in XXL! The Fontainebleau massif, its 25,000 hectares of classified forest and its legendary rocky chaos are waiting to be explored! Get your hiking boots ready (or get back on your bike): the adventure continues.

Hiking to Barbizon, the painters’ village

From Fontainebleau, set off on a lovely 8km walk (recommended start point: La Faisanderie) through a changing forest, with its succession of sandy beaches, fragrant pines and sculpted rocks… A real nature film set.

At the end of the route is Barbizon, a small, timeless village that was once home to the pioneers of plein-air painting and a source of inspiration for many artists: Corot, Millet, Rousseau… A real insight into the world of the painters of the Barbizon School.

Don’t miss a visit to the Auberge Ganne, now a departmental museum, and l’Esquisse, a hybrid place where you can stay and contemplate French art!

Gourmet lunch break

To recharge your batteries, head to La Bohême, a charming address in the village, or another more rustic option: La Caverne des Brigands, in the middle of the forest, for an unusual lunch in cabin mode. If it’s hot or you’re craving a good ice cream, drop in at Carré sauvage, a friendly grocery shop in the main street offering home-made ice creams you’ll be completely hooked on!