Fontainebleau is a quiet town, fairly typical of the environs of the capital. That is, until you see the sumptuous palace which dominates it. The Fontainebleau Forest covers a huge area and is a favourite place for Parisian weekenders to walk and cycle, or ride in. There are several reasonably priced restaurants around there and also in the town.

Nearby Château Vaux-Le-Compte, though not as well known as Fontainebleau or Versailles, has a story almost as interesting as the building itself. The interior reflects the different periods of ownership and the huge kitchens remained in use until 1956. As you round the moat, the front facade doesn't prepare you for the baroque rear aspect. The view gets ever more breathtaking the further you walk through the gardens past statues, sculptured hedges and pools. The biggest delight however, are the candlelit evenings, which transform this once private château into a jewel with hundreds of flickering candles illuminating both the house and garden.

Further afield, you can spend a day in Chartres or Chantilly or visit Monet's house in Giverny.