Preparing for the festive season in a magical atmosphere
Barbizon, Samois-sur-Seine and Bourron-Marlotte have been elected Villages de Caractère by the departmental tourism committee, and are showcasing their architectural and landscape heritage as a way of developing tourism. It's in these charming villages of the Pays de Fontainebleau that you can immerse yourself in the warm, cosy atmosphere of Christmas thanks to the various markets that prepare for the event. As well as the stalls of local designers and the intoxicating fumes of spices and mulled wine, there will be musical and theatrical performances in the streets, creating an atmosphere that warms and brightens up the winter.
The Château de Fontainebleau is particularly interesting during the festive season. The exhibition "Fontainebleau, Portraits of a Castle", designed for the festive season, will tell you all about the history of the château, as will the storytelling tours that will delight children and their parents.
The Pays de Fontainebleau Tourist Office also offers gift vouchers for nature and cultural activities, an original, high-quality gift idea for your loved ones. These gift vouchers can be found on their website.
Winter activities in the Forest of Fontainebleau to get you off the beaten track
This immense listed area, home to a wide variety of plants and animals, was once favoured by the kings of France. It is still favoured by sports enthusiasts, including mountain bikers, hikers, runners and horse riders. Thanks to its 300km of waymarked footpaths, it is also a firm favourite with rock-climbers.
During the winter months, the Pays de Fontainebleau Tourist Office offers a range of original activities. You can breathe in the fresh air of the Fontainebleau forest on a dog-sleigh ride. A unique and exotic experience, accompanied by a musher who was a finalist in the European Championship. An unusual gift idea for someone close to you.
A qualified teacher invites you to discover the pleasure and benefits of Nordic walking. It's an activity you can share with others, and one that will undoubtedly allow you to discover the forest of Fontainebleau in a whole new way.
Themed guided tours are also organised on themes such as animal tracks in the forest. These last two hours and give you the chance to explore the fabulous landscapes that the site has to offer during the winter season, as well as the different animals and biodiversity on which it depends. It's a great way to experience the winter atmosphere of the Fontainebleau forest.
Discover the Pays de Fontainebleau on a camping holiday
Les Prés ** campsite in Grez-sur-Loing is located 12 km from Fontainebleau. It has 133 pitches, some of which are reserved for bivouacs, with shared barbecues.
Les Courtilles du Lido *** campsite in Veneux-Les-Sablons has 83 pitches, including around 20 mobile homes for hire, and an outdoor swimming pool.
Le Parc du Gué *** campsite in La Genevraye has an outdoor swimming pool, 182 pitches and a number of rentals.