Fontainebleau is one of the most famous communes in France. This town is considered the center of the Fontainebleau arrondissement. It is a sub-prefecture of the Seine-et-Marne department in the Île-de-France region. It is said to be situated in an area larger than that of Paris.
The town is a favorite getaway spot for Parisian city dwellers who enjoy the laid-back atmosphere and gorgeous natural scenery that it offers. Situated just a few kilometers to the south of France, Fontainebleau is one of the largest state forests in France, with over 50,000 acres.
Originally called the Fontaine Belle Eau or Fontaine Bellevue, its present name was given in the year 1169. Whatever its name has been, the town has certainly maintained a reputation for its beauty and for its history as well. Apart from the first-hand experience of historically charged sites, Fontainebleau is also a popular destination, with around 11 million visitors per year. Many of these tourists are after the outdoor activities that can be experienced in this town, such as hiking and horseback riding. The Fontainebleau forest, which is recognized as a national park and protected under the French Office National de Forêts, is particularly attractive for its flora and fauna, particularly its mixed deciduous forest.
Aside from its forests, other notable places to visit in Fontainebleau are the nearby villages, the campus of the INSEAD Business School, and the resting places of G.I. Gurdjieff and Katherine Mansfield at Avon.