It was the first castle that I visited in France way back in 1990 when my dear late wife Martine took me there as it was her native area. Its still the nostalgic favorite ,visited several times over the years. The luxury and architecture of it is inmense, but a lot of folks missed the wonderful gardens. They are magnificent. So here I am to tell you a bit about it.
The jardins or gardens of the Chateau or castle of Fontainebleau, are in the department of Seine et Marne or no 77 east of Paris in the region of Île de France. You get here by train from Gare de Lyon in Paris direction de Montargis, Montereau, or Laroche-Migennes, to the Fontainebleau-Avon train station and there take bus line 1 direction Les Lilas until stop /arrêt « Château ». You can come by road from Paris on the A6 (Porte d’Orléans or Porte d’Italie). Parking is available across right from the castle or at pl d’Armes or at the next street over Rue de Ferrare.
To the south of the castle lies the grand parterre (11 ha or 27 acres) or big garden designed by none other than André Le Nôtre, and it is the most extensive that he had done, a French garden style or jardin à la française. It was created from 1660 to 1664. By the time of Napoléon Ier, the terraces were encircled with lime trees. The English style garden or jardin à la Anglaise took formed from 1812 with an artificial stream, and long alleys, butches of trees,and isolated trees of various species ,and sculptures . Some of the current trees dates back from the middle of the 19C and are from the time of those planted under Napoleon. The jardin de Diane are from work done under Napoleon as well as Louis Philippe that were done in a picturesque style . They have as principal sculpture that of the Fountain of Diane that, also, gave name to the garden. The gardens are free admission and are open from May to September 9h-19h. March April and October from 9h-18h, and from November to February from 9h-17h.
Other interesting things to see is the Grotte des Pins or cave of pins encrusted in a wall by the wing of the galerie d’Ulysse looking out and done under king Louis XV. The Pavillon de l’Etangs built in 1662 by Le Vau looking out to the Grand Parterre done by Le Nôtre. It was restored in 1807 when the jardin Anglais was done. Then you have the huge Parc or park that goes beyond the castle far back, it has 130 hectares or 321 acres of land all the way to the bassin des Cascades ,and the east the royal castle. From the village of Avon it crosses a principal road for access to the castle. It current configuration is due to the organisation of the alleys, cascades , and the creation of the Canal of 1,2 kms (0.75 mile) under king Henri IV by 1606-1609. You, also, will see the Fountain Bliaud, in the middle of the garden in a small forest , the fountain also call Belle-Eau from the 16C and the one that gives the name to the castle in old French as in Fontaine -bleau or bliaud.
You have the possibility of riding in a horse carriage the extend of the gardens, from Easter to All Saints day every day from 10h30 – 13h and 14h30 – 17h without interruption the weekends on depart from the Porte Dorée of the castle. You can ask for a ride into the forest as well . Information at the « Les Attelages de Forêt de Fontainebleau » 66, rue Gambetta , at Avon. More info: Horse wagon rides in Castle and forest of Fontainebleau in French
Every year in November you can participate in the blessing of the hunt or the Feast of Saint Hubert, patron saint of the hunters. It is wonderful indeed, and we have participated of course. You start with a Mass by 9h30 or so, at the cour Ovale ,and then by 11h or so the Vin d’Honneur or drink by the Porte Dorée, and then by 12h or so the depart for the hunting in the forest near the Obelisk towards the look of Maintenon . The current information will be told closer to the date on the Castle or city tourism webpage.
Some webpages to help you plan your trip here are
Official Fontainebleau castle on gardens
Official Tourist office of Fontainebleau
Official tourist office dept 77 Seine et Marne on Fontainebleau
For info as I am the official Friends of Fontainebleau site
There you go another wonderful gem of my belle France awaits for you and yours. Enjoy the Jardins de Fontainebleau or its gardens!
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all!!!
