# A weekend in Fontainebleau: palace, forest and Barbizon, an hour from Paris One night in Fontainebleau: the palace of kings, the sandstone-boulder forest, Barbizon and an indoor pool to end the day. An hour from Paris. Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/france/ile-de-france/fontainebleau/itineraries/weekend-palace-and-barbizon · Revisado: 2026-11-12 Dónde: Fontainebleau In one day there is time for the Fontainebleau palace; in two, you understand why the kings came here: the forest. This getaway splits Saturday between the palace and the Franchard rocks, with a spa in the afternoon, and Sunday between the Tour Denecourt and Barbizon, the village where painters went out to paint in the open air before the Impressionists. From Paris it is an hour on the A6. ## Where to sleep? HotelBest forFor whom Hôtel & Spa NapoléonSpa with indoor pool, next to the palaceEnding a day in the forest in the water Hôtel de CavoyeQuiet house in the centre, restaurant open dailyCouples, quiet weekends ## How much does it cost? Between €190 and €320 per person with one night sharing a four-star room, the palace, the museum, petrol and meals. The bouldering introduction adds €42 per adult; dinner at L'Axel is what varies the budget most. ## El plan ### Saturday · 9:30 · The palace At opening. Two hours for Francis I, Marie Antoinette and Napoleon. €17, free for under-18s. ### Saturday · 11:45 · The gardens Grand Parterre and the Carp Pond, free. ### Saturday · 13:00 · Lunch on the rue Grande Le Cadran, the brasserie of the Hôtel Napoléon, opens at midday every day except Tuesday. ### Saturday · 15:00 · The Franchard gorges Sandstone rocks, pines and viewpoints. If it is a spring Saturday, swap it for the 13:00 bouldering introduction with an instructor. ### Saturday · 18:00 · Spa and dinner Indoor pool at the Napoléon and dinner at L'Axel, Kunihisa Goto's French cooking with a Japanese soul. ### Sunday · 9:30 · The Tour Denecourt A two-hour walk to the viewing tower above the forest, north of the town. ### Sunday · 12:30 · Barbizon The painters' village: the Grande Rue and the museum in the Auberge Ganne, open from 10:00 to 12:30 and from 14:00 to 17:30 (18:00 from April to October). Lunch in the village and back to Paris in the afternoon. ## Consejos ### Never on a Tuesday The palace and the Barbizon museum are closed. ### Check the forest sectors After the fires, some are closed. ### Book parking through the hotel The Napoléon has a rate of €15 a day at the Interparking. ## Preguntas frecuentes ### Is it worth sleeping in Fontainebleau? Yes, if you want the forest as well as the palace: in a single day there is no time for both at a relaxed pace. ### Can it be done by train? The palace and the town, yes; the forest and Barbizon call for a car. ### Which hotel has a pool? The Hôtel & Spa Napoléon, indoor, in the spa. ## Dónde dormir if you're flying - **Hôtel & Spa Napoléon**: A former coaching inn on Rue Grande, the main street, a few minutes' walk from the palace entrance. Today it is a four-star hotel with a spa and brasserie, and the most convenient option for sleeping next to the palace. The rooms 45 renovated rooms and 10 suites, with high-end beds and marble bathrooms, between the house's Napoleonic air and today's comfort. The buffet breakfast, with the house's cakes and pastries, is served from 7:00 to 10:00 for €19. The spa The Cinq Mondes spa has an indoor pool and treatment rooms. It is what turns a night in Fontainebleau into a getaway: palace in the morning, forest in the afternoon and spa before dinner. Getting there and parking There is a drop-off area in front of the hotel and an agreement with the Interparking Napoléon, on Place Napoléon Bonaparte, a hundred metres away: €15 a day when booked through the hotel. By train, from Gare de Lyon to Fontainebleau-Avon and bus 1 to the centre. - **Hôtel de Cavoye**: A four-star hotel designed as an elegant, discreet house in the centre of Fontainebleau, a few minutes' walk from the palace, the gardens and the shops of Rue Grande. It belongs to the same group as the Hôtel Napoléon. The rooms 27, of which six are suites: from the 17 m² single to suites of 47 and 48 m², some with a terrace. Contemporary decor, light tones and warm materials. Check-in is from 15:00. Eating in On the ground floor is Gina, a Mediterranean restaurant and bar, open every day, with a terrace and Sunday brunch. Booking Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before arrival, but only when booking on its official website. ## Dónde dormir without a car - **Hôtel & Spa Napoléon**: A former coaching inn on Rue Grande, the main street, a few minutes' walk from the palace entrance. Today it is a four-star hotel with a spa and brasserie, and the most convenient option for sleeping next to the palace. The rooms 45 renovated rooms and 10 suites, with high-end beds and marble bathrooms, between the house's Napoleonic air and today's comfort. The buffet breakfast, with the house's cakes and pastries, is served from 7:00 to 10:00 for €19. The spa The Cinq Mondes spa has an indoor pool and treatment rooms. It is what turns a night in Fontainebleau into a getaway: palace in the morning, forest in the afternoon and spa before dinner. Getting there and parking There is a drop-off area in front of the hotel and an agreement with the Interparking Napoléon, on Place Napoléon Bonaparte, a hundred metres away: €15 a day when booked through the hotel. By train, from Gare de Lyon to Fontainebleau-Avon and bus 1 to the centre. - **Hôtel de Cavoye**: A four-star hotel designed as an elegant, discreet house in the centre of Fontainebleau, a few minutes' walk from the palace, the gardens and the shops of Rue Grande. It belongs to the same group as the Hôtel Napoléon. The rooms 27, of which six are suites: from the 17 m² single to suites of 47 and 48 m², some with a terrace. Contemporary decor, light tones and warm materials. Check-in is from 15:00. Eating in On the ground floor is Gina, a Mediterranean restaurant and bar, open every day, with a terrace and Sunday brunch. Booking Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before arrival, but only when booking on its official website. ## Dónde dormir if you're driving - **Hôtel & Spa Napoléon**: A former coaching inn on Rue Grande, the main street, a few minutes' walk from the palace entrance. Today it is a four-star hotel with a spa and brasserie, and the most convenient option for sleeping next to the palace. The rooms 45 renovated rooms and 10 suites, with high-end beds and marble bathrooms, between the house's Napoleonic air and today's comfort. The buffet breakfast, with the house's cakes and pastries, is served from 7:00 to 10:00 for €19. The spa The Cinq Mondes spa has an indoor pool and treatment rooms. It is what turns a night in Fontainebleau into a getaway: palace in the morning, forest in the afternoon and spa before dinner. Getting there and parking There is a drop-off area in front of the hotel and an agreement with the Interparking Napoléon, on Place Napoléon Bonaparte, a hundred metres away: €15 a day when booked through the hotel. By train, from Gare de Lyon to Fontainebleau-Avon and bus 1 to the centre. - **Hôtel de Cavoye**: A four-star hotel designed as an elegant, discreet house in the centre of Fontainebleau, a few minutes' walk from the palace, the gardens and the shops of Rue Grande. It belongs to the same group as the Hôtel Napoléon. The rooms 27, of which six are suites: from the 17 m² single to suites of 47 and 48 m², some with a terrace. Contemporary decor, light tones and warm materials. Check-in is from 15:00. Eating in On the ground floor is Gina, a Mediterranean restaurant and bar, open every day, with a terrace and Sunday brunch. Booking Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before arrival, but only when booking on its official website.