Join a 2-hour guided tour through the Fontainebleau Forest to discover its exceptional landscapes as you explore different themes.

Famous throughout the world, the Fontainebleau Forest has inspired countless artists, drawn to its evocatively shaped rock formations, its light, and its varied atmospheres.

As the first natural site in the world to be granted protected status—along with the Barbizon Painters’ Reserves—this forest is also a precious reservoir of biodiversity. It is home to a wide variety of habitats and more than 1,200 animal and plant species. It is designated a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.

The nature guides for this tour were selected by the Pays de Fontainebleau Tourist Office for their professionalism and their ability to share their knowledge in a way that is accessible to visitors. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about nature and, in turn, help preserve it.

Discover the themes of the guided tours on offer:

Biodiversity – The Barbizon Painters’ Trails
This guided tour allows you to walk in the footsteps of the landscape painters of the Barbizon School and discover the places that inspired them. Following the example of Théodore Rousseau, the painters began painting en plein air, taking their paint tubes and easels with them into the forest. In this harmonious blend of oak trees and rocky outcrops, you’ll discover a wonderful atmosphere brimming with inspiration and learn more about the creation of nature reserves—the world’s first measure to protect nature and landscapes! Our nature guide will share with you their in-depth knowledge of the biodiversity of the Fontainebleau Forest, designated a “Forêt d’Exception” and a World Biosphere Reserve.

Biodiversity—Path of the Fountains, Denecourt Tower (Napoleon III), Queen Amélie’s Grove
This guided tour, accessible from the Fontainebleau-Avon train station, takes you back to the 19th century, with the arrival of the railroad and the birth of nature tourism. Following in the footsteps of Claude-François Denecourt, you’ll explore the “Chemin des Fontaines,” which showcases the forest’s landscaping—with its charming historic fountains and small grottoes—and the forest signage system he invented. You’ll also explore the Denecourt Tower, which offers a 360° view of the Fontainebleau Forest! Our nature guide will share their in-depth knowledge of the biodiversity of the Fontainebleau Forest, designated a “Forêt d’Exception” and a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.

Biodiversity – The Quarry Workers’ Trail
This guided tour takes you on a journey through the history of the quarry workers of the Fontainebleau Forest. Set amid rolling landscapes straight out of a Tolkien novel, this walk follows in the footsteps of the quarry workers. The sandstone from the Fontainebleau Forest is renowned for its use in making Parisian cobblestones and for the construction of numerous monuments and buildings in the region. You’ll see small, historic sandstone quarries where extraction once took place: a cultural journey into the heart of nature. Our nature guide will share their in-depth knowledge of the biodiversity of the Fontainebleau Forest, designated a “Forêt d’Exception” and a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.

Approximate distance covered: about 6 km.

Since the meeting place varies with each tour, it will be provided in your booking confirmation email.