Fountainbleau – Is it worth the day trip from Paris?

Versailles gets around 8 million visitors a year, while Fontainebleau castle gets about 500,000, and we think it should be on your list. In this short video we answer whether a Fontainebleau day trip from Paris is worth it. If you want a royal château without fighting through a crowd, this one is for you.

Why we love Fontainebleau

• It is older than Versailles and arguably more historically significant.
• Napoleon lived here.
• The Mona Lisa hung here before the Louvre ever existed.
• You can actually enjoy it without the crowds.

Practical tips

Fontainebleau is about 40 minutes by train from Gare de Lyon, which makes it an easy day trip. The park and gardens are free all year round, so even if you only want a long walk in beautiful grounds, it is worth the trip. Our verdict is simple: go.

Save time on the day with our skip-the-line Fontainebleau tickets. For the rest of your stay in the city, our Paris Guide Bundle has all our favorite places.