Planning a Trip

Getting There -- Allow for a half day with lunch or a full day with a visit to the gardens and forest. Trains to Fontainebleau depart from the Gare de Lyon in Paris. The trip takes 45 minutes each way and costs 7.50€ one-way. Fontainebleau's railway station lies 3km (1 3/4 miles) north of the château, in the suburb of Avon. A local bus (marked simply CHATEAU and part of line A) makes the trip to the château at 15-minute intervals Monday through Saturday and at 30-minute intervals on Sunday; the fare is 1.40€ each way. If you're driving, take A6 south from Paris, exit onto N191, and follow the signs.

Visitor Information -- The Office de Tourisme is at 4 rue Royale, Fontainebleau (tel. 01-60-74-99-99; www.fontainebleau-tourisme.com), opposite the main entrance to the château.