Review: Château de Fontainebleau

Tell me: What’s this place all about?
It's a UNESCO World Heritage site, but perhaps one of the most underrated landmarks in France. For one thing, it was inhabited by French royalty continuously for seven centuries. Napoleon preferred it to any other residence, calling it “the true home of kings.” It's also the most furnished chateau in France and the decor is something to see (think Renaissance frescoes, precious porcelain, exceptional furniture through the Second Empire). No wonder so many art history students come here to study the decorative arts. There are newly renovated spaces that are only available on special guided tours: the Imperial Theatre, commissioned by Napoleon III, Marie-Antoinette’s Turkish Boudoir, Napoleon III’s study, and Eugenie’s Lacquer Room. The chateau is close enough to Paris—less than an hour southeast by train—but it feels like deep countryside. Allow time for a stroll in the sprawling gardens and along the canal designed by architect André Le Nôtre.

What’s it like being there?
The sprawling château has a whopping 1,900 rooms, as successive monarchs added their own personal touches. The overall effect is awe. It's an inspiring place, full of rich details—you could easily spend a day soaking up the grandeur.

Is there a guide involved?
It's not necessary to book a guide but it's recommended. The château has a network of excellent, qualified guides who make the experience fun and witty. They can also open doors to places that aren't open to the general public. You can book a guided tour of the Chinese Museum, for example, which closed for nearly two years after an art heist in 2015. Designed for Empress Eugénie in the Second Empire style, it's stocked with marvelous objets d'art from the Far East: jade, stupas, and palanquins.

Who comes here?
The château received 540,000 visitors in 2019. People come from all over the world—or just nearby Paris—to ogle.

Did it meet expectations?
Yes. There's so much to see and it's eye-opening. A tangible expression of French history and art de vivre.

So, then, what, or who, do you think it’s best for?
Don't go on limited time. You'll want to spend at least the day here—or better yet, why not make it an overnight jaunt from Paris?