Fontainebleau Day – Cambridge Society of Paris

An invitation to live like a sovereign for a day, right in the heart of Fontainebleau!

Saturday 9th November 2024

CamSoc’s very own committee member and Fontainebleau resident Sylvie Leger is very kindly organising a visit to the town across Saturday 9th November.

Sylvie will host a lunch at l’Empreinte, the new restaurant of the Napoleon Hotel, followed by an address from Fonact (Fontainebleau’s Anglophone acting school) before leading the way to the town’s exquisite Château (summer residence of France’s sovereign rulers for eight centuries) for a visit to the internationally renowned Salon du Chocolat.

Coming to Fontainebleau, a town of character next door to Paris, will give you the opportunity to feel immersed in a stunningly welcoming universe. Spending one day in Fontainebleau will not only give you an insight into the splendours of its famous Château, but also a chance to live like a Bellifontain(e)!

AGENDA

Lunch & Speaker

12h00: Lunch at L’Empreinte, the newly opened restaurant of the Napoleon Hotel-Spa a few steps away from the Château.

After lunch, a speaker will introduce you to the fantastic work carried out by Fonact, the renowned Anglophone School of Acting, performing at the city theatre on a regular basis.

Tickets for the lunch, which includes soft drinks and wine, are €50 per person.

Salon “Impérial Chocolat & Gastronomie”

After the speaker’s address: Sylvie Leger will lead the group to the annual Salon taking place at the Château itself (outdoors and indoors), supervised by the famous chef Fréderic Cassel who owns a store in Fontainebleau.

The making of chocolate, tasting, chocolate sculptures of animals, and famous Parisians monuments are amongst the highlights. For those staying longer, the salon lasts three days: Saturday 9th November through Monday 11th.

Tickets for the Salon are €9 per person.

Fontainebleau Visit

16h00: Sylvie will guide a walking visit of the highlights of Fontainebleau (weather permitting!) for those interested, starting from outside the Salon.

TICKETS

Registration for the Lunch and the Salon are available below for Cambridge Society of Paris members and their guests. You can attend just the lunch, or just the Salon (in which case meet at the restaurant at 14:00 to get your ticket) but we hope most of you will come to both. You are also welcome to purchase Salon tickets separately via the official website on on-site, if you wish to visit on a different day.

If you have any questions about the day, please contact Sylvie Leger.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

i) Train from Paris

You are welcome to make your own way to Fontainebleau, but if you follow the schedule below, Sylvie will be waiting to guide you on arrival at Fontainebleau-Avon station.

Departure from Hall 1 Gare de Lyon, 10h16

Arrival time at Fontainebleau-Avon 10h56

(Stops: Melun; Bois le Roi; Fontainebleau-Avon. The train ride lasts 40 minutes. The train continues to Montargis or other towns. They are surface trains. Make sure you « punch » your tickets before getting on the train.

Tickets are €5.00 one-way. You can buy tickets from the machines located near the platform (usually letters between J and M).

ii) Bus to Fontainebleau

Upon arrival at Fontainebleau-Avon station, Sylvie will be there on the platform to welcome you.

A 10-minute bus ride will take us to the town centre. Tickets are €2.50 one-way.

Bus and train tickets and are not included in the event registration to accommodate those wishing to make their own way.

iii) Restaurant l’Empreinte

Address: l’Empreinte 9 Rue Grande, Fontainebleau.

2-course meal (main course and dessert)

Soft drinks, wine included

iv) Salon du Chocolat

Address: Château de Fontainebleau, Place Charles de Gaulle, 77300 Fontainebleau

v) Return to Paris

Sylvie will indicate the bus station in town, so that everyone can go back to the railway station according to their own schedules.

There are trains approximately every 30 minutes back to Paris, Gare de Lyon.

For those of you who would like to stay overnight and enjoy Sunday morning market, there are many options. Sylvie can easily advise you if you need directions or inspiration.

If you have any questions about the day, please contact Sylvie Leger.