Versailles vs Fontainebleu

I've been to both more than once.

I dislike Versailles so much that, when people I was traveling with insisted on going, I used to just take them out there and I'd lurk around in the town until they got done. Now, I take them no further than the metro station in Paris.

Fontainbleu is much more impressive and has a lot more history. I try like hell to persuade folks who want to see such a thing to head there instead, but am not often sucessful.

I agree with the posters above. We spent four weeks in France traveling on our own. Versailles was the ONLY place we did NOT enjoy.

Ditto to the above. I've been to both several times. Go to Fontainebleau.

Thanks everyone, looks like I will be researching Fontainebleu. What is the easiest way to get there from Paris-does the RER go there? Did you go on your own or with a 'day tour'?

There's a train (not RER) from Gare de Lyon that goes to Avon. It takes about forty-five minutes. From Avon there are buses that take take you over to the chateau.

We will travel to France in August and have decided on Fontainebleu and not Versailles. We just didn't like the sounds of the crowds there - wanted something more laid back - so have never been to either before but feel good about this decision.

I have been to Fontainbleu on my own( train, edited, as I had posted RER - bus ) and it is lovely,, and yes, seems to be crowd free.

I have also been to Versailles, ( many times actually) and I don't think you can compare expereriences at all.

Laurie,

I, too, have visited both often...they're totally different, you'll feel it. You don't have to rely on the Metro to reach Gare de Lyon. If you're near a bus stop for the #65, that bus will get you there.

You get off the bus for the chateau Fontainebleau in front of the town's tourist office, but to catch the return bus to the train station you need to cross the street down ( opposite of the tourist office) diagonally, the stop is in front of a restaurant.

Given a choice between Versailles and Fontainebleau, I would definitely pick Fontainebleau; you'll see where Napoleon said farewell to the Guard and wonder how could they pack a thousand troops in that court yard for that momentous event.

The folks recommending Fontainebleau have a point. In terms of the overall quality of experience, the crowds matter a lot. Fontainebleau this past May on a Thursday was so empty I could not believe it. Three days later Versailles on Sunday was so crowded it was a disaster. (I should have heeded RIck's advice). I Versailles is great, but the crowds really impact your enjoyment.

Is Fontainebleau considered a day trip from Paris?

Ruth,

Sure. It's a bit more than an hour each way, depending on the train-bus connection at Avon. Four hours in the chateau and the village should be enough, five max, six super-max with lunch.

Excellent! Thanks Ed. I'm guessing that the crowds end up at Versailles because it's closer to Paris, and that's the one place in France you hear about as "the" place to go - Paris being #1. I was interested in going to Versailles at first but it seems like such a hassle to get there so early before the lines and the Museum Pass isn't going to be worth it for me. (It even sounds like the Eiffel Tower is going to be a hassle.) Fontainebleau sounds far more relaxing.

So I have to take the train from Paris to Avon and then a bus to Fontainebleau?

The unanimity of every contributor is surprising and enlightening. I had, until now, been treating Versailles as one of my primary "must sees" for my upcoming visit to Paris in October - my first ever visit to France - with Fontainebleau as a possibility, assuming time permitted it.
I have now made a major shift in my priorities.
Thank you all.

I've been to all three (Versailles, Fontainbleau and Vaux le Vicomte) and I love them all.

I especially love Versailles...not for the palace, which I do like, but more for the gardens, which are amazing (Fontainbleau - we were just there - has little or no gardens), and the Petit Trianon, the Grand Trianon and Marie Antoinette's Hamlet. We rent bikes there (just did this twice last week) and ride all over, including the forest. It's magical to me.

It's very important to avoid Versailles on certain days - I would only go on a Wednesday or Thursday when it's the least crowded - no other day. And July will be the most crowded month of all.

We were told by a woman at the reception counter that Tuesday is the most crowded day of the week. Even then, the gardens are so huge they aren't crowded - only the palace.