Things to do in Fontainebleau

It's incredibly convenient to enter directly using the e-voucher purchased on the platform! There's no need to exchange tickets on-site or schedule an entry time on a website; you just select the date when you make your purchase (which is very helpful for those whose arrival time is unpredictable)! Although I went on a Sunday, it wasn't very crowded. Even though it requires a transfer and a bus ride from Paris, it's very accessible!

I’ve always wanted to visit Fontainebleau, so I’m really glad we were able to make this day trip happen. In my opinion, it’s absolutely worth visiting. The rooms are beautifully maintained and preserved, and the audio guide is exceptionally well designed. I honestly enjoyed Fontainebleau much more than Versailles and would highly recommend it. I didn’t know much about Vaux-le-Vicomte before this trip. Since it’s still privately owned, it isn’t maintained to the same standard as Fontainebleau, but the château itself is still fascinating. The story behind it is incredibly sad and unfortunate, and it’s often considered one of the inspirations for Versailles. One thing I wouldn’t recommend, though, is climbing up to the dome despite the staff’s suggestion. I made it halfway before turning back because the second and third floors felt extremely creepy — they were once used as hospital and surgery rooms during the wars.

It was an English-speaking tour. Although Fontainebleau still doesn't have an audio guide, fortunately, the main information boards all have Chinese translations. Plus, there were far fewer visitors than at Versailles, making the park very peaceful. Vaux-le-Vicomte Castle was arguably the unexpected highlight of this trip. It's incredibly well-maintained by a private family, and the audio guide system offers Chinese, automatically activating at each location. The ticket also included climbing to the top of the castle's bell tower, providing a fantastic 360-degree view of the entire garden—a truly wonderful experience!