This exceptional event, which attracts millions of visitors every year, highlights the wealth of cultural, historical and architectural heritage in France and across Europe.

Fontainebleau opens the doors to its historic sites.

Take a behind-the-scenes look at the Théâtre Municipal, the Charité Royale, the École Militaire d'Équitation, the Hippodrome, the museums and the Hôtel de Ville.
On the program:

Town Hall — 40 rue Grande
Discover the first floor redesigned in the 19th century: the Hall of Honour (woodwork by Séraphin Gilly), Assembly Room, Wedding Room, Mayor’s Office. Guided tours led by the heritage deputy and the collections director.
Times: Sat. 10am & 11am (max. 25 people)

Municipal Theater — 9 rue Denecourt
The last active Italian-style theater in Seine-et-Marne: stage, backstage, red velvet seats... and meet the technical team.
Times: Sat. & Sun.
– 10am & 11:30am: musical theatrical tours (booking required at the ticket office)
– 2pm & 4pm: technical guided tours (no booking, limited capacity)
– 1pm–6pm: self-guided visits

Royal Charity / Media Library — 15 rue Royale
Former 17th-century hospital turned cultural venue (media library, “L’Atelier” exhibition hall, Garden of the Arts).
Times (heritage collection): Sat. 10am & 11am, Sun. 3pm & 4pm (registration required)

Sat. 3pm: lecture by Jean-Claude Polton (on Denecourt)

Saint-Louis Church — 2 rue de la Paroisse
17th-century church restored (2014–2021), listed as a Historic Monument. Self-guided tour with signage and artwork highlights.
Times: Open access all weekend
Sun. 4:30pm: organ concert by Les Amis de l’Orgue (Trio Hocdé) — Full price €10, reduced €7, free under 18

Municipal Archives — GuidiGO route
Two fun app-based walking tours:

Discovery quiz through town (starts at Place de la République)

Napoleon I & horsemanship investigation (starts near EME, Maintenon alley gate)
Times: Sat. & Sun. departures at 10:30am and 2:30pm (duration: 1h30). Register at the Tourist Office (max. 25 people). Cancelled in case of rain.
Note: Download the GuidiGO app (App Store / Google Play)

Exhibition “Bellifontaine Doors” — Place de Gaulle (opposite the Château)
30 everyday doors elevated through photo and choreographic creation (Aurore Stauder, Raphaël Liot).
Dates: Aug 27 → Nov 2 — Free access

Mission Building — Place de la République
Imposing structure (1663, Louis XIV) housing a presbytery, labor court, and Tourist Office. Donations welcome via the Heritage Foundation (tax-deductible).

Chapel Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours — Bd Foch
Restored chapel (Historic Monument since 1926), linked to a “miraculous” event in 1661. Hosted by the association.
Times: Sat. 10am–6pm, Sun. 12pm–6pm

Fontainebleau Palace — Place de Gaulle
Guided tours, spokesperson points, activity booklets, and exclusive access for a royal and imperial experience.
Times: Sat. & Sun. 10am–5pm (full program on the Palace website)

Protestant Temple — 3 rue Béranger
Built in 1894 (Neo-Byzantine style), with a grand porch and rose window.
Times:
Sat. 3pm–7pm: self-guided visits
Sun. 11:30am: inauguration of the temple and parish rooms
Sun. 3pm–7pm: self-guided visits

Synagogue — 38 rue Paul-Séramy
Current building inaugurated in 1965 after the 1941 arson.
Times (Sun.): 11am: guided visit of the Jewish cemetery (Frédéric Viey) — 2:30pm: synagogue opens — 4pm: guided tour (Emmanuelle Elhadef)

Manor House — 242 rue Grande
19th-century residence, now home to Pays de Fontainebleau Tourism.
Time: Sun. 3pm: guided tour (max. 12 people, registration at direction@fontainebleau-tourisme.com)

Forest Ecology Station (Université Paris Cité) — route de la Tour Denecourt
Late 19th-century field station: research in plant biology, ecology, and environment.
Times (Sun.): 10am–6pm: exhibitions (rocks, “Hedgehog Festival”, ANVL botanical workshop) & visits (research buildings/teaching/park + eco-lodging with the architect)

Golf Chalet — route d’Orléans
Built in 1909 under Paul Tavernier’s influence (mural paintings, rotunda, dining room).
Times: Sat. & Sun. 3pm–5pm: self-guided visits

Military Riding School (EME) — Carrousel district, av. de Maintenon
Senarmont riding arena, military horse museum, stables, blacksmith workshop, surgery room, honor rooms + pony activities.
Times: Sat. & Sun. 10am–12pm & 2pm–5pm (visit lasts ~1h30, groups of max. 30 people). ID required.

La Solle Racecourse — route de l’Hippodrome
Founded in 1776, revived under Napoleon III.
Time (Sun.): from 2pm: free kids activities (pedal sulkies, donkeys, trampolines, carousel, raffle, etc.) — from 4pm: 7 flat races

Motorcycle Museum of the Gendarmerie — Gendarmerie School, rue de la Charité (Avon)
More than 80 motorcycles (20th century to today) and a collection of historic gear (including early speed radars).
Times: Sat. & Sun. tours at 11am, 2pm, 4pm (~1h visit, max. 30 people, ID required, arrive 10 min early)

Firefighters’ Museum (SDIS) — 2 place Orloff
Everyday life (fire station, demos at 10:30am) and history (objects, uniforms, vehicles from the late 19th century). On-site refreshments available.
Times: Sat. & Sun. 10am–5pm: self-guided visits

Mines School (MINES Paris – Fontainebleau Branch) — 35 rue Saint-Honoré
Walk through the garden, visit a room of the former mansion (building A) and building B (former girls’ school) with photo exhibit on campus life.
Times: Sat. & Sun. 10am–5pm

Companions’ House — 26 rue de la Cloche
17th–18th century house restored by volunteers.
Times: Sat. & Sun. 10am–6pm: exhibition “History of the House…”
Talks: Sat. 11am & 3pm; Sun. 11am