Add dates

Fontainebleau Tours

Our most recommended Fontainebleau Tours

Fontainebleau & Vaux-le-Vicomte Châteaux Day Tour from Paris

1. Fontainebleau & Vaux-le-Vicomte Châteaux Day Tour from Paris

This full-day trip from Paris takes you to the Vaux-le-Vicomte and Fontainebleau châteaux for guided tours of the castles and a chance to explore their gardens. Set off from Paris at 09:15 on the hour-long drive to Vaux-le-Vicomte, the château that inspired King Louis XIV to build his Versailles Palace. A masterpiece of mid-17th century classical architecture, the château and its grounds were created by 3 talented artists working for Nicolas Fouquet, a rich, high-ranking French official and Louis XIV's Superintendent of Finance. The 3 artists were the painter and decorator Charles Le Brun, the architect Louis Le Vau, and the landscape gardener André Le Nôtre. With an audio guide you’ll explore Nicolas Fouquet's private apartments, the state rooms, and the château's great kitchens and vaulted cellars. Enjoy a stroll through the stunning French-style formal gardens on the estate’s 86-acre grounds, featuring sculpted bushes, lakes, and multicolored flower beds. If you like you can eat lunch on the lawn or in the Vaux-le-Vicomte restaurant. You’ll leave Vaux-le-Vicomte at 13:30 for the second part of the tour, heading to the heart of the forest of Fontainebleau. Fontainebleau is the only royal château to have been continuously inhabited for 7 centuries. Dating back to the 12th century, it was one of the residences of French rulers from Francis I to Napoleon III. During your audio-guided visit, you’ll explore the richly furnished château, admiring its unique collections and key pieces such as the throne of Napoleon I and the famous horseshoe-shaped staircase. You’ll also see the spacious private apartments. After the tour, you’ll have time to explore the vast grounds surrounding the château, as well as its 3 lovely gardens. Departure from Fontainebleau is scheduled for 17:00, with arrival back in central Paris at around 18:15.

From Paris: Chateau de Fontainebleau & Vaux-Le-Vicomte Tour

2. From Paris: Chateau de Fontainebleau & Vaux-Le-Vicomte Tour

Discover two of the most beautiful and historically interesting castles in the Paris region on this small group day trip. You’ll visit the lovely Chateau and gardens of Vaux-le-Vicomte, where the “jardin à la francaise” was born and then explore the regal splendor of Chateau de Fontainebleau where more than seven centuries of kings and emperors lived and created history.  Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte, with its deluxe 17th century decor and outstanding French Gardens is enchanting. It is so beautiful that it directly inspired the Sun King to build the Palace of Versailles, in order to rival it. You’ll learn about the captivating history of the estate and its past owners, wander through the perfectly ordered French Gardens and enjoy free time to explore the inside of the Chateau. Chateau de Fontainebleau is unparalleled in its extravagant architecture and links to important events in French History. With more than 1,500 rooms inside, it is a sumptuous palace and according to Napoleon Bonaparte "The true home of kings, the house of ages". It was home to three dynasties of Kings, a Pope and two French Emperors and as such is truly unique among the castles in Europe. You’ll explore its majestic halls, extravagantly gilded rooms, beautifully decorated Chapel and learn its fascinating history.

Other Sightseeing Options in Fontainebleau

Want to discover all there is to do in Fontainebleau? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Fontainebleau

I would recommend showing up 30 minutes prior to departure, this will allow the representative to check you in. Then about 15-20 minutes prior to departure you will walk to where the bus departs from. If you arrive within 15 minutes of departure, look for the bus (if you don't see anyone from the company at the meeting spot). For my trip, once on board we were given entry tickets, audio guide tickets and an itinerary on when the bus is departing each chateau. The driver dropped us off at each chateau and stayed in the same spot until departure; everything worked out great!

Very good, everything was fulfilled with the schedules, it is worth knowing them less number of people than in Versailles

The bus driver took us to our location and then we could explore on our own whic we enjoyed

Very pleasant trip and relax to enjoy everything.highly recommended

Comfortable bus and spectacular castles. accessible meeting point