Start planning your 2026 getaways now and get a head start on organising your weekends and holidays in the Pays de Fontainebleau this year! Planning your outings and stays in advance means giving yourself every advantage: more choice, greater flexibility, and experiences that truly reflect who you are.

Just one hour from Paris, the Pays de Fontainebleau is a reliable choice for an exceptional escape. With its iconic forest for immersing yourself in nature, a remarkably well-preserved heritage in its towns and villages, a wide range of events, cultural and outdoor activities, and plenty of great places to treat yourself, the destination offers a rich variety of experiences—ideal for short stays or action-packed long weekends.

In 2026, the many public-holiday long weekends—especially in May with Ascension Day and Whit Monday—create wonderful opportunities to get away for a few days. The perfect chance to change scenery, travel easily, and enjoy a complete change of pace in the Pays de Fontainebleau!

Discover three travel itineraries for 2026 in the Pays de Fontainebleau, perfect for recharging your batteries, marvelling at new sights, and finding inspiration as the new year begins !

An open-air museum to discover without delay in 2026!

Less than an hour from Paris, the Pays de Fontainebleau reveals itself as a true open-air museum. From its charming villages to its historic castles, every site tells a story of a past that is both vibrant and inspiring. Stroll through the ancient streets of Avon around the bandstand in Bel Ébat Park, admire the picturesque washhouses of Samois-sur-Seine and Héricy, and be charmed by the castle of Bourron-Marlotte.

The Château de Fontainebleau, a must-see in the region, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and whose royal gardens welcomed over 2 million visitors in 2025, along with the imperial town of Fontainebleau, extends this unique experience by immersing you in the lives of kings and queens!

Discover all the museums of the Pays de Fontainebleau.

In 2026, don’t miss the Year of Marie-Antoinette, which transforms the Pays de Fontainebleau into a true royal stage. Highlights include the Grand Historical Weekend on April 18–19, to step into a historical reenactment of Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette’s court; the “Art of Living under Marie-Antoinette” workshops from April 22–30, to learn the art of French refinement; and the Grand Picnic and Queen’s Ball on July 4 in the idyllic setting of the Château de Fontainebleau’s royal gardens.

Marie-Antoinette left a lasting mark on the world of fashion. As the tastemaker of her era, she continues to inspire designers around the globe. In June, during the Festival of Art History whose theme this year is “Fashion”, the château’s visitor circuit will showcase stage costumes from the collections of the National Center for Stage Costume. Designed for the opera Le Postillon de Longjumeau, these creations by Christian Lacroix evoke the full splendor of the 18th century.

During this dedicated season, her apartments will be restored with their original furnishings: the grand cabinet, bedroom, and silver boudoir will display exceptional pieces crafted by the era’s finest artists, including the cabinetmaker Jean-Henri Riesener. Each event offers an immersive experience, both playful and cultural, transporting you straight into the 18th century.

To extend the magic, stay in the heart of one of the destination’s historic residences and, for a weekend, become a true castle owner.

Discover all of our accommodation options right here!

In 2026, treat yourself to a nature getaway in the Pays de Fontainebleau!

The Forest of Fontainebleau, once the royal hunting grounds of the kings of France, spans over 22,000 hectares of protected nature and has been recognized as a Forêt d’Exception®. It offers a true oasis of freedom for all lovers of outdoor activities.

With its varied trails, iconic rock formations, and open clearings, the forest provides countless opportunities for walking, hiking, bouldering, trail running, and horseback riding. It’s a unique and precious chance to reconnect with nature, change your pace, take time to breathe, feel the gentle embrace of a preserved environment, and let yourself be lulled by the sweet songs of birds.

A landscape both radiant and delicate, it invites you on a journey reminiscent of the mountains or faraway lands, thanks to the diversity of its scenery, wildlife, and flora: rocky outcrops and viewpoints, ponds and heathlands, sand expanses, lush or boreal forest…

Discover all of our itineraries, hikes, and walks right here.

For a deeper experience, starting in April, don’t miss the guided outings and tours organized by the Pays de Fontainebleau Tourist Office. Enjoy activities like a forest walk combined with yoga, a guided tour following the footsteps of local wildlife, a cultural and architectural heritage tour in the forest, or even a bouldering introduction!

Book your activity online directly.

And to fully extend this immersion, treat yourself to a stay close to nature. Intimate and comfortable, these places allow you to disconnect completely and enjoy the peace and beauty of the Pays de Fontainebleau.

Following in the footsteps of artists: an inspiring journey to experience in the Pays de Fontainebleau in 2026

This year, take advantage of the many long weekends and public holidays to plan a unique trip in the Pays de Fontainebleau, following in the footsteps of the artists who have shaped, and continue to shape, this region.

Between forest and the banks of the Seine, the Pays de Fontainebleau has long been a refuge for painters, writers, and poets such as Théodore Rousseau, Jean-François Millet, Stéphane Mallarmé, and Rosa Bonheur, who came here seeking serenity and inspiration in a landscape conducive to creativity and reflection. Today, the artists’ homes, now transformed into public museums, showcase this creative effervescence unique to the destination: the Millet Museum-Workshop and the Barbizon Painters’ Museum in Barbizon, the Stéphane Mallarmé Museum in Vulaines-sur-Seine, and the Rosa Bonheur Château-Museum in Thomery are perfect examples.

Stepping into these unique, historic sites allows you to feel the soul of creation and be carried away by an inspiring artistic atmosphere. It’s a genuine journey where art and imagination meet, in a destination that continues to inspire and enchant countless artists.

To fully experience this, explore these must-visit sites of inspiration in the Pays de Fontainebleau: the Painters’ Trail in Barbizon, beloved by Théodore Rousseau and Stevenson; the Franchard Gorges, associated with Proust, George Sand, and Musset; and the royal gardens of the Château de Fontainebleau, once cherished by monarchs for reading and contemplation. At these exceptional sites, every step invites you to slow down, observe, write, or simply soak in the unique atmosphere.

Long celebrated as a source of inspiration for artists, the Seine and its banks also offer a true haven of peace perfect for relaxation and escape. Valvins-les-Bains, the nickname given to the small leisure port of Valvins since the 19th century, was once a popular destination for travelers. As the port’s reputation grew, many hotels, restaurants, and vacation homes were built. Today, recently renovated with new docks, cultural panels, picnic tables, and a walking trail, Valvins-les-Bains has regained its role as a peaceful retreat, perfect for both inspiration and relaxation. So don’t hesitate—come by bike or on foot and experience for yourself the artistic spirit of the Pays de Fontainebleau, wandering along the Seine and its scenic banks.

In 2026, don’t miss the new edition of the Festival of Art History, from June 5 to 7, 2026, at the Château de Fontainebleau, as well as in Fontainebleau and the surrounding villages.

This year’s festival, themed around fashion with Morocco as the guest country, promises to stimulate your curiosity and creativity through numerous conferences, exhibitions, screenings, and encounters. These same locations were once a source of inspiration for the famous jazz musician Django Reinhardt, who found muse along the banks of the Seine. And, as every June, jazz takes over the magnificent Château de Fontainebleau park for three days during the Django Festival.

Art, culture, nature, and sport: the highlights of 2026 in the Pays de Fontainebleau!

Once again this year, the destination offers a rich and diverse program, combining art, culture, nature, festivals, and sporting events. For sports enthusiasts, the legendary Grand Parquet Equestrian Stadium, the largest in Europe with its famous grass arena, hosts magnificent high-level competitions that are open to visitors, offering a spectacular experience.

Discover all the events in the Pays de Fontainebleau in 2026 right here.

Planning your stay in advance ensures that you can create a vacation that truly reflects you, at the pace of major events and experiences to enjoy throughout the year. In 2026, the Pays de Fontainebleau promises a vibrant, inspiring, and surprising destination, ready to be discovered according to your desires!

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