Issue No. 25

4 Chateau Visits
Fontainebleau, Ile de France
UNESCO listed Fontainebleau has a long
and interesting history going back to the
12th century. In the middle of a forest it
was originally a hunting lodge used by the
French Kings. Its gold plated gates and
iconic horseshoe shaped staircase (where
Napoleon stood to announce his
abdication in 1814) immediately alert you
to the fact that this castle is special. The
castle has a rather intimate feel inside
despite the fact that it’s enormous, with
1500 rooms it’s one of the largest in
France, Take the train from Gare de Lyon
to Fontainebleau-Avon, which takes
about 40 minutes, and from there it’s a
bus ride of about 15 minutes (Bus No. 1
behind the station).
More on Fontainebleau:
The Chateau de Fontainebleau
Gardens of Fontainebleau