Hidden gems in Fontainebleau

Hidden Gems of Fontainebleau Forest

Beyond the famous chateau, the Fontainebleau forest hides a network of 19th-century hiking trails leading to geological and historical curiosities. This collection features the Grotte aux Cristaux, known for its calcite formations, and the Caverne des Brigands, a legendary bandit hideout. Memorials like the Millet-Rousseau bronze plaque honor the Barbizon school of painters, while secluded shrines and tranquil ponds like Mare aux Biches offer insight into the forest's spiritual and natural heritage.

Hidden Gems of Fontainebleau Forest — Map

A

Caverne des Brigands

Legend says this cave served as a hideout for bandits during the reign of Louis XV. It is located near the Barbizon entrance of the forest.

B

Obélisque de Marie-Antoinette

An 18th-century stone obelisk commissioned in 1785 to commemorate Queen Marie-Antoinette. It stands at a historic forest crossroads near the town.

C

Monument Millet-Rousseau

A bronze bas-relief set into a rock face, honoring Barbizon school painters Jean-François Millet and Théodore Rousseau. It was inaugurated in 1884.

D

Grotte aux Cristaux

Discovered in 1771, this cave is famous for its unique rhombohedral calcite crystals embedded in the sandstone walls.

E

Hommage à Denecourt et Colinet

A commemorative plaque dedicated to Claude-François Denecourt and Claude-Charles Colinet, the pioneers who created the first marked hiking trails in the forest during the 19th century.

F

Tour de la Vierge

A small religious shrine and stone tower located in the forest, reflecting the area's history of local pilgrimage.

G

Grotte des Montussiennes

A natural sandstone cave formation accessible via the forest's walking paths.

H

Notre-Dame de la Délivrance

A small forest shrine dedicated to the Virgin Mary, historically visited by locals seeking spiritual protection.

I

l'Antre des Druides

A distinctive rock shelter named for its mystical appearance, characteristic of the forest's chaotic sandstone landscapes.

J

Mare aux Biches

A tranquil forest pond that serves as a watering hole for local deer and wildlife, surrounded by dense woodland.

K

Mare du Marchais

A secluded permanent pond and wetland area within the forest, supporting diverse aquatic flora and fauna.

L

Notre-Dame de Franchard

A religious shrine located near the historic Gorges de Franchard, the site of a former 12th-century Augustinian hermitage.

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Fontainebleau Essentials Fontainebleau Highlights Iconic Bouldering in Fontainebleau Historic Sites of Fontainebleau Historic Places of Worship Cultural Institutions Nature and Parks