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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.

Fontainebleau: Fontainebleau Palace Private Guided Tour

2. Fontainebleau: Fontainebleau Palace Private Guided Tour

Discover Château de Fontainebleau with an entry ticket and guided tour. Hear about the castle's history from your private guide, visit the grand apartments of the monarchy, and marvel at the immense ballroom. Meet your guide outside the palace and head inside. As you stroll, learn about the rich history of this impressive palace and how it morphed from a royal hunting lodge to the family home of the kings. Marvel at Italian Renaissance works from Primaticcio and Il Rosso, the founders of the School of Fontainebleau. Continue to the monarchs’ luxurious apartments, furnished in different styles from the Renaissance to the 19th century. Next, head to the impressive Francis 1st Gallery, decorated with frescoes and stucco in the Renaissance style. Then pass the impeccably decorated ballroom. Finish with a visit to the apartments of Emperor Napoleon Ist, including the beautiful imperial bedroom.

Other Sightseeing Options in Fontainebleau

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What people are saying about Fontainebleau

The bus was clean and comfortable. It was a warm and sunny day. The only problem was on the way back to the city, the bus driver did not put the air conditioning on and according to the temperature sign at the front of the bus, it was 31°C. It was great that we had transportation to both places. It was a very nice trip. The chateaus were very interesting and it was nice to enjoy the gardens at both places.

Excellent! Exactly what I had hoped for! Our guide was wonderful and very informative! We learned a lot and I really appreciated that this tour was private so we could ask questions and take our time!

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