One of the first cultural events to open the summer season, the festival is held every year at the château and in the town of Fontainebleau, on the first weekend in June.

Conferences, round-table discussions, film screenings, exhibitions, book and art magazine fairs, student and professional meetings, tours, children's workshops, concerts, etc. - the festival features almost 300 events showcasing the wealth of visual arts from all eras. For 3 days, specialists, students and enthusiasts come together in the exceptional setting of the Château de Fontainebleau to share the latest in art history research.

Each edition focuses on a guest country and a theme, inspiring international scientific and cultural exchanges between researchers, artists, curators, film-makers, publishers and art world players. Envisaged as a unique opportunity to build bridges between France and the guest country, the festival strives to offer a very broad panorama of the arts and culture of this country, from which many speakers and artists come. This year, the guest country is Mexico, and the theme will be sport.

Free and open to all, the art history festival is also an event for the general public, thanks to a program that is both demanding and accessible. Every year, this unique event brings together over 300 guests and thousands of festival-goers eager to share their passion or discover the richness and dynamism of art history. The Festival de l'histoire de l'art is a Ministry of Culture event organized by the Institut national d'histoire de l'art and the Château de Fontainebleau.


About the Festival:

In parallel with the Festival de l'histoire de l'Art, the 21st edition of Rendez-vous aux jardins will be held. Come and (re)discover the exceptional plant heritage of the Château de Fontainebleau on the theme
"The five senses in the garden" on May 31, June 1 and 2.
A wide range of workshops and tours will be on offer:


-Discover the history of the château through its gardens

From one courtyard to the next, discover the major stages in the construction of the château and gardens, their histories, the technical challenges faced by the architecture, and their evolution over the centuries.

Château de Fontainebleau tour guide
Friday, May 31, 10:30 am and 2 pm
Saturday, June 1, 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Sunday June 2, 11:30 am and 2:30 pm


-Visit the gardens of the Château de Fontainebleau with a gardener

As part of the Rendez-vous aux jardins event

The English garden is an exceptional setting for discovering the art of gardening, the richness of its nature and the essential role it plays in our well-being.

Guided by an art gardener from the Château de Fontainebleau, you'll discover this exceptional garden, its ecosystem, its species, its flora and fauna, its colors and shapes. He'll share his knowledge and know-how with you, as well as the importance of preserving its biodiversity.

Laurent Pinon (art gardener at the Domaine National de Fontainebleau)
Saturday June 1 and Sunday June 2 at 10:30 a.m.

Places for guided tours and workshops are available from the kiosk in the Château's Cour d'Honneur.




Festival program coming soon.