60km (37 miles) S of Paris, 74km (46 miles) NE of Orléans

Napoleon called it “the house of the centuries; the true home of kings,” and he had a point: Fontainebleau was a royal residence for over 700 years. Elegant and dignified, this grand chateau carries the architectural imprint of many a monarch. Surrounded by dense forest and verdant countryside, a trip here is a relaxing green interlude to your Parisian trip.