And what if you extend the joys of summer in the Fontainebleau area?

Envie de prolonger l’été sans partir loin de Paris ? Direction le Pays de Fontainebleau ! Here, no need to say goodbye to the sunny days in August. At the end of August and early September, the guinguettes and terraces are still in the mix in the Pays de Fontainebleau and numerous convivial events await you to enjoy e these summer pleasures! 

Open the doors, free of charge, to places that are typically closed to the public during the European Heritage Days on September 19 and 20, and stroll through the streets of the Imperial City, head to the artist villages or let yourself be drawn to the landscapes along the Seine. All of these ideas for getting away, taking your time, and extending summer are just under an hour from Paris! 

During the weekend of September 19–20, the European Heritage Days kick off a rich cultural season in the Fontainebleau area! 

Be curious and set out to discover the destination's exceptional heritage through numerous free tours, activities, lectures and meetings across many venues you might never have thought to visit!

From the Château de Fontainebleau to the Musée départemental des Peintres de Barbizon, from the Musée Mallarmé to the Manoir du bel Ebat, passing by the École Militaire d’Equitation, the Cité Impériale or l'Hippodrome de la Solle in Fontainebleau, many iconic sites open their doors for free for a truly exceptional weekend!

And the discovery doesn’t end there: in the towns and villages of the Pays de Fontainebleau, a multitude of events invite you to push open the doors of places normally closed to the public, to discover lesser-known stories and to meet those who keep local heritage alive.

An timeless weekends to explore thecultural wealth of the Fontainebleau region ! 

Discover the full schedule right here ! 

The sunny days are still with us, so take the time to rediscover the Imperial City and Fontainebleau Castle!  

Stroll through the royal gardens, enjoy a shaded break, wander the city’s cobbled lanes with charming independent shops, and linger on a terrace for a breakfast, a lunch, or a dinner. All of these little pleasures invite you to fully embrace the easygoing September vibe! 

And to round out your discovery, step through the doors of the Château de Fontainebleau, where Marie-Antoinette is in the spotlight this year! Don’t miss the stage costume exhibition imagined by Christian Lacroix, inspired by the famous queen and her world. Presented along the classic visitor route, it offers a wonderful way to relive history! And for all European Union residents under 26, admission is free!

The guinguettes and summer bars of the Fontainebleau area are keeping the season going! 

Craving a sunny lunch, a drink by the water, or a night out to some music? The summer guinguettes and bars of Pays de Fontainebleau invite you to join them through September 30! 

Among the must-see spots: the Bel Ébat Guinguette, in Bel Ébat Park, just steps from the Fontainebleau–Avon train station, L’Orangerie, a summer bar set on the forecourt of the Théâtre de la Cité Impériale, or even la Buvette de Samoreau, for a friendly riverside pause! 

But summer also lingers beyond these ephemeral spots! The numerous terraces and restaurants across the Pays de Fontainebleau continue to welcome you to enjoy the sunny days and take the time to savor the destination. Discover l’Adma and Gina for a pause in the heart of the Cité Impériale, but also Papylles and its shaded terrace in the pretty Seine-side village of Bois-le-Roi as well as Démé for a lunch or dinner by the water!  

And in the Land of Fontainebleau, the whole family is welcome, with numerous terraces also happily inviting your four-legged companions for a 100% family-friendly escape!  

What if you stretched summer a little longer, wandering between artist villages and the banks of the Seine? 

From Samois-sur-Seine to Barbizon, via Bourron-Marlotte, these so-called artist villages unfold along narrow lanes, in studios and in houses that sparked generations of inspiration. To get a glimpse of their intimate world, step behind the doors of the Barbizon Departmental Museum of Painters, the Jean-François Millet Studio–Museum, or the Rosa Bonheur House–Museum. In these former homes turned museums, the artists’ stories unfold up close to their daily lives, their art, and their worlds. 

Stroll on to the banks of the Seine, in the Seine-side villages of Samois-sur-Seine, Bois-le- Roi but also Samoreau, Héricy and Vulaines-sur-Seine where heritage unfolds at the pace of the water ! Pastoral landscapes, elegant holiday homes with striking architecture, riverside restaurants ... a perfect invitation to full-on escape! 

And to uncover all its secrets, set off on the 22 août prochain for a guided bike tour, starting from Bois-le-Roi station, to discover the banks of the Seine. A balade between heritage and the great outdoors, accessible directly by train from Paris-Gare de Lyon – Transilien Line R (2,55€ the trip) ! 

Fancy an experience right on the water? EEmbark on a canoe-kayak on the Seine ! Available for self-service, these canoes-kayaks are run entirely autonomously, for a ride at your own pace, with family or friends in one of the Seine’s loveliest bends in Île-de-France, nicknamed the Riviera!29€ per single canoe - 39€ per double canoe 
for a minimum of 2 hours!  

And for those who want to discover the Seine by bike along the towpaths, find the full list of bike rentals in the Pays de Fontainebleau.

So, why wait until next summer? The pleasures of the summer season don’t end when the holidays are over! Perhaps you’re craving more moments of relaxation? And of course, perhaps work and studies have shifted your vacation plans?

In September, in October and well beyond, the Pays de Fontainebleau invites you to keep enjoying, discovering and sharing memorable moments, all within an hour of Paris.