Mountain Project Logo

First Time English Speaker Fontainebleau Directions

Original Post
ROBERT LOOMIS · · SPOKANE · Joined Aug 2012 · Points: 82

Dear Fellow Climbers,
My wife and I will be visiting Paris in June for several days. I have been working on my French so as to learn some basic phrases, words, etc. I have purchased fairly detailed maps of Paris, and purchased a general climbing guide to Europe. I say this to say I am doing some homework. While in Paris I would like to break away for a day and visit the historically important area of Fontainebleau and boulder some.
Since I have never been there before (also never been to Paris before) I am sure there are some little tricks or efficiencies to getting from Paris central to the bouldering and back which might not be well known or not in a climbing guide. This is why I write.
Does anyone out there have any tips to offer (ex., preferred train station to use, preferred stop, etc.) I will not have a car so plan to take a train and walk. Any help you might be able to suggest to a first time user of the area with limited French language skills is much appreciated. I should also say I am not much of a boulderer, I tend to prefer ice and long crack routes, so I know I will only be getting up the easy boulders.
Thanks much.
Cheers,
Bob Loomis

Allen Sanderson · · On the road to perdition · Joined Jul 2007 · Points: 1,203

The trains depart from one of four major stations in Paris and go in different directions. As such, take the train from Gare de Lyon to Fontainebleau. Many trains will depart and go through Fontainebleau. There is only one station in Fontainebleau. Depending on where you want to go it is a bit of a walk - perhaps rent a bike for the day. Take a picnic, wine, baguette, pate, fruit, and make it a day. Remember to leave your chalk and bring a ball of rosin. The boulder problems are color coded.

NateGfunk · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2013 · Points: 50

also wear shoes and beware of the condoms and hypodermic needles on the ground at the roadside bouldering spots...

Scott M. McNamara · · Presidio San Augustine Del… · Joined Aug 2006 · Points: 55
ROBERT LOOMIS · · SPOKANE · Joined Aug 2012 · Points: 82

Dear All,

Thanks a lot for the helpful suggestions and the link, which I will check out. I will have to check out some local athletic stores and/or online for the rosin--not something I have used before--but will since I do not want to violate a local tradition/ethic.

Cheers,

Bob

fontaineblhostel · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2014 · Points: 0

Hi,
The indicated websites by Scott are probably the best!
You may find resin (here also called "pof") for instance at "Vieux Campeur" (superb shop in Paris) or at shops "s'cape" or "global sport" in Fontainebleau. S'cape and myself (fontaineblhostel, but NOT located in Fontainebleau, I am in La Chapelle La Reine, south of Fontainebleau) also rent crash pads.
Many locals also use chalk (for hand holds, resin more for feet), but it is good to brush the holds.
If you come from Paris several times, you can stop at train stations "Bois le Roi", "Fontainebleau-Avon" or "Nemours-St Pierre-les-Nemours" and reach several bouldering areas walking or cycling. Check for instance the map of bleau.info
Condoms are a problem in "Bas Cuvier" site, not really elsewhere.
Any other question? I'm glad to help!
www.facebook.com/fontaineblhostel

David Coley · · UK · Joined Oct 2013 · Points: 70

Bob, a fun day plan would be to get the train from paris to font, get a taxi to 3 pigeons.
boulder all day, walk across the woods or hitch to Milly la Foret have a beer in the town square and take taxi back to font.

Renting bikes would also be a good option. There is enough I suggest for her to see in Font town for the day whilst you get lost in the woods if she doesn't want to cycle with you.

If you wife fancies it, there is an adventure centre on the south west side of the font bouldering area with a large outdoor pool. In June it might be busy at the weekends. There are tree tops via ferrata and other stuff for her to do it she doesn't want to just sit by the pool.

PS. Most people under 30 speak enough English.

JaredG · · Tucson, AZ · Joined Aug 2011 · Points: 17

I'm an American living in Paris, and maybe I could show you out to Fontainebleau, but I'll be traveling a lot for work during June.

The "don't use chalk in Bleau" ship sailed before I moved here -- holds are chalked up all over the place. So don't waste your time getting pof for just one day. Just try to be sparing with your chalk use, and bring an old toothbrush. It's a good idea to bring a towel or rag to wipe the sand from your feet before each climb. If you stick to easier stuff you might not need a crash pad -- quite a few problems have flat sandy landings.

There's plenty of climbing within a 30 minute walk or so of the train stations (Fontainebleau/Avon or Bois le Roi), so you don't really need a bike or taxi, but some of the better-known areas are further afield. Trains depart from Paris Gare de Lyon at :19 and :49 past every hour. I think most of them actually have "Montargis" as the final destination, so you have to look carefully at some of the signs. They almost always leave from platforms K, L, or M. The train ride is about 45 minutes. As for tickets, Fontainebleau is within Zone 5 (the furthest one) of the greater Paris transit system. So your best bet is usually to just buy an all-day pass (used to be called passe Mobilis, but it may have changed) for all 5 zones.

ROBERT LOOMIS · · SPOKANE · Joined Aug 2012 · Points: 82

Dear Fellow Climbers,

Thanks to all of you who posted recently. I appreciate the tips and pointers--really.

Cheers,

Bob

Brendan N · · Salt Lake City, Utah · Joined Oct 2006 · Points: 405

Any useful links/shops for renting crash pads that anyone knows?

fontaineblhostel · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2014 · Points: 0

Crash pad rental (as far as I know):
1/ no more crash pad rental at parking Noisy sur Ecole (near Roche aux Sabot/Cul du Chien...)

2/ In Fontainebleau: shop S'cape
scape-shop.com/

3/ In La Chapelle La Reine: if you stay at my hostel, I rent pads in behalf of Blozone (current price 8€/day, 50€/week). If you are not my guest, ask them directly, they are my neighbours!
fr-fr.facebook.com/blozone

Good trip!
Patrick
facebook.com/fontaineblhostel

Saemmul Song · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2014 · Points: 0

Hey, I'm staying at Fontainebleau in June too! For 5 days :D When exactly are you going? Maybe we can meet up and boulder together.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

International
Post a Reply to "First Time English Speaker Fontainebleau Direct…"

Log In to Reply

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.