Palace of Fontainebleau

News & exhibitions

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History of the place

Fontainebleau brings together Renaissance interiors, sovereign apartments and memories of Napoleon I. Extend your visit through the courtyards, gardens and park, with the nearby forest offering another escape.

A sovereign residence since the Middle Ages, Fontainebleau was extensively transformed by Francis I in the 16th century. He invited Italian artists including Rosso Fiorentino and Primaticcio, whose decorations shaped the School of Fontainebleau and the spread of the Renaissance in France.

Successive sovereigns enriched the apartments, courtyards and gardens. Napoleon I left a particular mark; in April 1814 he bid farewell to his Guard in the White Horse Courtyard. The palace offers a continuous reading of French history, from the Renaissance to Empire interiors.

Visiting tips

1. 01

   Prioritise the Francis I Gallery, apartments and Horseshoe Staircase to understand the palace’s main historical periods.

2. 02

   Visitor routes and guided tours do not all cover the same spaces; check the official programme before choosing.

3. 03

   Keep time for the courtyards and gardens. A forest outing needs additional travel and preparation.

4. 04

   Plan your return to the station: the palace is not immediately beside Fontainebleau-Avon.