XIe–XVIIIe
The kings' forest
Long a royal domain, the forest was woven into the life of the Château de Fontainebleau. Sovereigns hunted here, laid out roads and shaped a landscape whose grand vistas can still be traced between the trees.
Larchant · Massif de Fontainebleau
The forest begins at the end of the garden.
Pines, oaks, white sand and sandstone boulders: from Forest Lodges, set off on foot to discover one of the most distinctive landscapes in the Île-de-France.
On footfrom the garden
4 seasonsof landscapes
Sand & sandstoneunder the pines
Peaceto be respected
One landscape, many worlds
Sand beneath the pines, sandstone among the heather.
The Fontainebleau forest is unlike any ordinary forest. Around Larchant, the trails wind through woodland, stretches of dry sand and rock formations carved by time.
Plan a short stroll or a full day of exploring. Sandy ground and rocky passages call for sturdy shoes, even when the distance looks modest.
A forest steeped in history
Beneath the leaves, a thousand years of stories.
Here, you never walk through a mere backdrop. Kings, painters and the earliest hikers all left their mark on these paths. Entering the forest means stepping into a history that is still alive.
1830s
An open-air studio
Corot, Rousseau and Millet, followed by Monet and Bazille, came to paint en plein air around Barbizon. The light, the ancient oaks and the rocks made Fontainebleau a cradle of modern painting.
1861
Beauty becomes heritage
Championed by artists, the movement to protect these landscapes led to the creation of artistic reserves — among the very first places in the world protected for their natural beauty.
From 1842
Where hiking was invented
Claude-François Denecourt marked out trails, published guidebooks and revealed viewpoints, caves and rocks to visitors. His blue-marked routes still live on in the Denecourt-Colinet trails.
Now it's your turn to follow the traces left between the sand and the sandstone.
Choose my adventureA forest for everyone
What to do in the Fontainebleau forest ?
Choose a simple outing from Larchant or book an activity with a local professional. Check opening times, access conditions and availability before setting off.
Right from the gate
Hiking
Set off on foot from the garden and shape the loop to your own pace.
Forest trails
Cycling & mountain biking
Another way to link the landscapes, on the permitted routes.
Guided outing
Horse riding
Book with a local riding centre and discover the forest from a new angle.
Subject to opening times
Treetop adventure
An outdoor activity to arrange with a park in the area.
By reservation
Dog hiking & sledding
A sporting experience offered by local professionals in the area.
Early morning
Watching without disturbing
Move calmly, keep your distance and leave the wildlife undisturbed.
This is only the beginning : climbing, cycling, donkey walks, treetop courses and many more outing ideas.
See all activitiesImmersive experience
Walk at the pace of the forest.
Set off on foot from the lodges' garden: the first sandstone boulders are just minutes away. In the morning, deer cross the clearings; in the evening, the scent of resin still lingers on the trails.
SmellThe scent of pine resin
HearingThe rutting call in autumn
SightThe sandy clearings
Before you set off
An outing that's easy to prepare.
From the lodges, you can start out on foot. For more distant areas, pull up the route and check local conditions before leaving your accommodation.
In your bag
Water, suitable shoes, a snack, sun protection and rain gear.
To find your way
Download your map before setting off: network coverage can vary under the trees.
To protect the forest
Stay on the paths, take your rubbish with you and never light a fire.
For everyone's peace and quiet
Observe wildlife from a distance and respect any temporarily restricted areas.
Starting points to open in Google Maps
Your base camp in Larchant
Explore outside. Rest inside.
After the trails, come back to a terrace, a fully equipped kitchen, air conditioning and a proper bed made up for you. Four lodges welcome couples, families and groups at the edge of the forest.