Does the Paris Museum Pass Include the Château de Fontainebleau?
Yes — the Château de Fontainebleau is included in the Paris Museum Pass. This sprawling royal palace, used by French rulers from the Middle Ages to Napoleon, is one of the pass’s grandest sites — and a quieter alternative to Versailles. The pass covers entry (around €14), but not the train there. Here’s what’s included and how to visit.
What the pass covers
Your pass includes full entry to the Château de Fontainebleau — the lavish royal apartments, the Renaissance galleries and the Napoleonic rooms — saving you the roughly €14 admission. The vast gardens and courtyards are free to wander, making for a generous day out in the countryside south of Paris.
Eight centuries of royal history
Fontainebleau is extraordinary for its sheer span of history: a royal residence for some 800 years, from medieval kings through François I’s Renaissance splendour to Napoleon, who bid farewell to his guard here before his exile. The famous horseshoe staircase, the Gallery of François I and Napoleon’s apartments are highlights.
A quieter alternative to Versailles
While Versailles draws huge crowds, Fontainebleau is far calmer, letting you enjoy comparable grandeur in relative peace. For travellers who’ve seen Versailles, or who want a more relaxed château day, Fontainebleau is a rewarding choice — and it’s fully covered by the pass.
The pass covers entry, not transport
As with all the out-of-town châteaux, the pass pays for admission but not the journey. You’ll buy an SNCF train ticket separately to get there. Factor that into your budget and timing, but the saving on entry — especially paired with Paris museums on other days — keeps the pass excellent value.
Getting there
Fontainebleau is reached by SNCF train from Gare de Lyon to Fontainebleau-Avon (around 40 minutes), then a short local bus to the château. Allow most of a half-day including travel, plus time to enjoy the gardens and the surrounding town. Note the château is closed on Tuesdays.
How long to allow
Give yourself around two hours inside the palace and extra time for the gardens and grounds — easily a half to a full day with the journey. The interiors are richly furnished and extensive, so pace yourself and focus on the apartments and galleries that interest you most.
Which pass length suits a Fontainebleau trip
Because the day trip uses most of a day, a 4 or 6-day pass works best, leaving room for Paris museums on other days. The 6-day pass is ideal if you want Fontainebleau plus Versailles or another château, all without worrying about which days your pass covers.
Tips for your visit
- Take the SNCF train from Gare de Lyon, then the local bus.
- Allow a half to full day including travel.
- Avoid Tuesdays (closed).
- Enjoy the free gardens and courtyards.
- Pair it with a longer pass for flexibility.
What makes Fontainebleau special
- The horseshoe staircase in the Cour d’Honneur, where Napoleon bade farewell.
- The Gallery of François I — a Renaissance masterpiece.
- Napoleon’s apartments and throne room.
- The ballroom with its richly painted ceiling.
- The vast gardens and carp pond, free to wander.
Buy your Paris Museum Pass for Fontainebleau
To explore the royal grandeur of Fontainebleau without a separate ticket, buy your Paris Museum Pass online in advance — then book your train separately. Secure your pass and add one of France’s most historic châteaux to your trip.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Château de Fontainebleau included in the pass?
Yes — full entry to the palace is covered.
Does the pass cover the train?
No — you buy an SNCF train ticket separately.
How do I get there?
By train from Gare de Lyon to Fontainebleau-Avon, then a local bus.
When is it closed?
Tuesdays.
How long should I spend?
Around two hours inside, plus the gardens — a half to full day with travel.
Is it better than Versailles?
It’s quieter and equally historic — a great alternative or addition.