Review: Forêt de Fontainebleau

Let’s start big picture.
Fontainebleau is often a footnote on a Paris itinerary, but it's a notable destination in its own right. Its famous forest is one of the largest in France, encompassing 50,000 acres. And its equally famous chateau, in all its stupefying glory, wouldn’t exist without the Forest of Fontainebleau. This was the playground of Renaissance king François I, who spent so much time on the royal hunting grounds that he decided to expand the existing medieval castle into a royal chateau. (Why camp out in the Loire Valley when you have access to game-packed forest much closer to Paris?) Stags and wild boar still roam the woods—you’ll notice warning signs on the road. In the 19th century, the forest starred on the canvases of the Barbizon school painters, like Jean-Francois Millet and Camille Corot. Today, Fontainebleau Forest continues to inspire artists, as it does outdoors enthusiasts, who flock for hiking, cycling, and bouldering. Ages ago this region lay under the ocean, and the receding waters left behind swaths of sand and intriguing rock formations. The Fontainebleau Forest is filled with thousands of boulders, sought out by experienced climbers.

Any particular standout features or must-sees?
There are nearly 200 miles of marked trails to explore, including the national hiking trails GR1 and GR11. Bikes can be rented at the Fontainebleau-Avon train station. The tourist office can arrange excursions from horse back riding to carriage rides pulled by sled dogs.

Was it easy to get around?
This is a vast forest and having a car makes it easier to navigate. On the weekends, the train from Paris makes a stop in the middle of the forest for hikers.

All said and done, what—and who—is this best for?
Free to access. Note that the Fontainebleau Forest has been designated a “Biosphere Reserve” by UNESCO. The trail called "Les 25 Bosses" (the "25 bumps") is renowned for its diverse variety of landscapes, including views over the sands left behind by the ancient sea.