[matt463]

I'm going to Paris in a few weeks for some work stuff, so I decided to stay the weekend before and go to Fontainebleau. If you could only have a day and a half, where would you spend it? Assuming your grade doesn't push past 7B.

[SA Chris]

Depends where you intend staying, how you intend getting there and how you want to get about when there.

[Will Hunt]

Have you been before?

[remus]

Spoilt for choice really, any of the bigger sectors (Cuvier, franchard, apremont) would keep you busy for a few years. A majority of the smaller sectors would have enough for a couple of days.

Personally I quite like Cuvier rampart and beyond for some quieter cragging.

[joel182]

If I had just a day and a half, I would go to any of the headliner sectors: Bas Cuvier, Franchard Isatis or Franchard Cuisiniere, Apremont for the full day.

On the half day either Elephant or Cul de Chien since they are both such unique venues.

But you really can't go too far wrong, if nothing else just pick the closest and most convenient venues for you to get to.

[matt463]

Never been before and will just be staying in Fontainebleau itself. But pretty happy trying to cycle hire my way around, and the main areas mentioned here seem cyclable.

[James Malloch]

Not sure on areas, but I would go and pick an east circuit and just go around and do as many problems as possible.

It’s a magical place. So much variety, and it’s really fun! If there’s the odd line which draws you then go and try it.

I much prefer not going with an aim of doing x,y,z. I did my first 7C (at home) last year and have a 9 month trip this year. My best week has been doing lots of 3’s and 4’s in Font after a trip to the patisserie.

[SA Chris]

Never been before and will just be staying in Fontainebleau itself. But pretty happy trying to cycle hire my way around, and the main areas mentioned here seem cyclable.

If you aren't bothered about visiting a main area you can walk to some of the slightly lesser areas (but still good) from a nearby train station in about half an hour.

[BrutusTheBear]

There are venues right next to the town, that you could easily walk or cycle to.
To the north Mont Ussy, Roche D'Hercule and Calvaire and to the south Rocher D'Avon.
Mont Ussy has Yellow, Blue, Red, White circuits and loads of off piste problems across the grades.
Roche D'Hercule has a white circuit and loads of off piste across the grades.
Calvaire has Yellow, orange and blue + off piste.  DON'T CLIMB ON THE BIG ROOF!
Calvaire Ouest has off piste 6s and 7s.
Rocher D'Avon has orange and blue + tonnes of off piste.
These areas, right next to town,combined have hundreds of problems from font 2 to 8s.  Enough to keep you going for months/years. 
This website has a very useful map and links to topos etc.
https://bleau.info/map
To be fair you could pretty much go to any venue for a day and have a ball.  Prepare to get humbled/spanked.

[SA Chris]

I think you can get to Canon from a nearby station too. A good range of stuff there to get you started on your first visit.

Agree re: humbling / spanking

[matt463]

Thanks all for the responses. Sounds like I can have the best time with fairly minimal effort to get anywhere in particular, have a croissant and potter around on 3s and 4s. Sounds ideal to me to be honest!

[Aussiegav]

1.USE YOUR FEET!!
2. Clean your shoes before each try.

Simple but effective advice that’s often neglected in Font.

You’ll have the best day of climbing, weather pending.

[matt463]

Thanks for the advice. I ended up walking in the end, wasn’t brave enough for the pad cycle combo. Walked to Mont Aigu which was pretty cool. Spent the whole day there. Lots of locals hiking and cycling, but other than that I only saw three other climbers the whole day. I imagine it’s rare to have a (minor) sector to yourself on a cold crisp autumn day. Also would recommend the dardonville patisserie in Fontainebleau town!

[SA Chris]

Was that midweek or weekend?

[Duncan campbell]

Thanks for the advice. I ended up walking in the end, wasn’t brave enough for the pad cycle combo. Walked to Mont Aigu which was pretty cool. Spent the whole day there. Lots of locals hiking and cycling, but other than that I only saw three other climbers the whole day. I imagine it’s rare to have a (minor) sector to yourself on a cold crisp autumn day. Also would recommend the dardonville patisserie in Fontainebleau town!

Where have you found this cold crisp day recently!? Been boiling here for 2 weeks!!

[matt463]

It was the Saturday just gone. I went out pretty early to make the most of it. By 3pm the cooler air had definitely disappeared. The whole area seemed so much busier by 4pm, not just climbers, but just lots more people around

[SA Chris]

OK cool, worth knowing. I assumed the more accessible spots like that would be rammed on a weekend.

[countyyoungin]

Hi, does anyone have any good advice on a trip to font in the van? We've been looking at a couple campsites but most aren't open till later on in the month (we leave the UK on the 1st of march) and the one that is open wont reply to emails/phone calls. Does anyone know of anywhere good to stay, even if its a bit outside the forest? Cheers

[teestub]

There’s some info in this thread about the official van spots around the forest https://ukbouldering.com/board/index.php/topic,33926.msg689693.html#msg689693