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Fontainebleau, 65 km south of Paris, is a small town of about 16,000 people that holds one of France’s great royal palaces and a 28,000-hectare forest that made the town the birthplace of modern bouldering. The Chateau de Fontainebleau, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, hosted French kings and emperors from Francois I to Napoleon III across eight centuries, and its gardens, museums and the surrounding artists’ villages fill a full day or a relaxed weekend. This guide covers the Fontainebleau weather by month, the best time to visit Fontainebleau and where to stay.
Welcome to Fontainebleau
The town works best as a single base that splits cleanly into three experiences: the chateau and its museums in the centre, the forest and its bouldering circuits just south, and the painters’ villages of Barbizon and Moret-sur-Loing a short drive away. A direct train from Paris Gare de Lyon reaches Fontainebleau-Avon in about 40 minutes, so you can do the palace and a forest walk in one day or spread it across a weekend.
Fontainebleau Weather at a Glance
Fontainebleau shares Paris’s oceanic climate: cool, wet winters and warm, rarely hot summers. January averages 5°C (41°F), while July peaks at 20°C (68°F) with highs of 26°C (79°F). Rainfall is spread through the year at 40 to 71 mm a month, with May the wettest month and July the driest. Snow falls on only two or three days a year, so winter visits are about mud, not snow.
Fontainebleau Seasonal Snapshot
- Winter (December to February): highs of 7 to 8°C, 44 to 50 mm of rain, quiet chateau, prime bouldering season.
- Spring (March to May): highs climb from 12°C to 19°C, gardens bloom, May is the wettest month at 71 mm.
- Summer (June to August): highs of 23 to 26°C, 40 to 62 mm of rain, festival season, peak crowds and hotel rates.
- Autumn (September to November): highs fall from 21°C to 10°C, forest colour peaks mid-October, dry bouldering returns.
Fontainebleau Travel Guides
- Fontainebleau weather by month: month-by-month temperatures, rainfall and a climate table.
- Best time to visit Fontainebleau: when to go for weather, crowds, prices and the forest.
- Things to do in Fontainebleau: the chateau, museums, forest hikes, bouldering and nearby villages.
- Fontainebleau events and festivals: the Art History Festival, Django Reinhardt and more.
- Fontainebleau neighborhoods: the historic centre, Avon and the forest edge.
- Where to stay in Fontainebleau: hotels by area and budget, with a shortlist in each district.
- Fontainebleau travel tips and FAQ: trains from Paris, getting around, money, tipping and safety.
Where to Stay in Fontainebleau
Most hotels cluster in the centre around the chateau, with budget chains on the Boulevard Magenta side and one resort-style hotel in the forest village of Ury. Rates are highest in summer and on June’s festival weekends. See the where to stay in Fontainebleau guide for a full area-by-area breakdown.
Suggested Hotels in Fontainebleau
Aigle Noir Fontainebleau MGallery
An 18th-century mansion at 27 Place Napoleon Bonaparte, 100 metres from the palace gates, with period interiors and a courtyard. Best for couples and first-time visitors who want the chateau on the doorstep. Check rates and availability
La Demeure du Parc
A 4-star at 36 Rue Paul Seramy, 300 metres from the chateau, with a garden terrace and the Italian restaurant GINA on site. Best for travellers who want a quiet courtyard and dinner within walking distance. Check rates and availability
ibis Chateau de Fontainebleau
A modern budget hotel 200 metres from the chateau and 300 metres from the centre, with a bar and 24-hour reception. Best for budget travellers who want the cheapest central bed. Check rates and availability
Quick Facts About Fontainebleau
- Best months to visit: May, June and September for good weather without peak crowds.
- Warmest month: July, averaging 20°C (68°F) with highs of 26°C (79°F).
- Coldest month: January, averaging 5°C (41°F).
- Wettest month: May at 71 mm of rain.
- Chateau entry: 14 euro full, 12 euro reduced, free under 18; closed Tuesdays.
- Train from Paris: Transilien line R from Gare de Lyon, about 40 minutes, 2.50 euro single.
