Stay 
The Briarée oak
approx. 800 m
A remarkable old tree of the Fontainebleau forest, centuries old, destroyed by a storm in 1899. It remains famous, not least under the name “Emperor's bouquet”.
Le Petit Château de Barbizon: a night in a château in the painters' village
Le Petit Château de Barbizon stands in Barbizon, the Seine-et-Marne village made famous in the 19th century by the painters of the Fontainebleau forest. The Expedia listing presents it as a château of Baroque architecture in the Gâtinais français regional nature park, with an outdoor pool, garden and library. A calm address for a stay in a château, about 50 minutes' drive from Orly.
At a glance
- Location
- Barbizon (Seine-et-Marne, Île-de-France), at the edge of the Fontainebleau forest, within the Gâtinais français regional nature park
- Accommodation
- Château with Baroque architecture according to the Expedia listing; reception staffed at set times, concierge, rooms with private bathroom
- Highlights
- Outdoor pool, garden, library, fireplace in the lobby, shared lounge, tennis lessons, volleyball, free Wi-Fi, free parking
- Guest rating
- 9.0/10 from 28 reviews on Expedia (as of 14 Oct 2026)
- Check-in & check-out
- Check-in 4–9 pm · check-out at 11 am
- Good to know
- No pets · continental breakfast at extra cost (9–11 am) · upper floors reached by stairs only
Staying at Le Petit Château de Barbizon: a Baroque château at the forest's edge
To stay at Le Petit Château de Barbizon is to choose a quiet break in the Pays de Bière, a short step from the Fontainebleau forest. Expedia classes it as a château in a regional park and mentions Baroque architecture. Inside there is a shared lounge, a library and a fireplace in the lobby; outside, a garden with outdoor furniture, a barbecue, a picnic area and an outdoor pool.
According to the listing, rooms have free Wi-Fi (over 25 Mbit/s), bed linen, a private bathroom with shower, a 100 cm flat-screen TV with premium channels and central heating. Floors are parquet or tiled, an iron can be requested, and housekeeping is available on request.
For leisure, the listing mentions tennis lessons and volleyball, plus books, games and toys for children. Three meeting rooms complete the offer for business stays. A continental breakfast is served daily from 9 to 11 am for an extra charge.
Photos of Le Petit Château de Barbizon
Barbizon, the painters' village: the setting of Le Petit Château
- 1830 – The Ganne inn welcomes painters to Barbizon, then still a hamlet of woodcutters, in search of inspiration in the unspoilt Fontainebleau forest.
- 1850s – Painters from all over the world join their French colleagues; the railway makes Melun and Fontainebleau easier to reach, and a tramway later links Melun to Barbizon.
- 1867 – The Siron hotel, known as the “exhibition” hotel, opens a room for works by passing artists and draws painters and writers.
- 1890 – The name “Barbizon school” is given to the older group after David Croal Thomson's book is published in London.
- 1903 – Barbizon becomes an independent commune, separating from Chailly-en-Bière on 20 November.
- 1947 – The house and studio of Jean-François Millet is listed as a historic monument.
- 1975 – Opening of the house of the artist Théodore Rousseau, core of the future Barbizon Painters Museum.
- 1995–2004 – The commune buys the former Ganne inn (1995); the museum has been run by the Seine-et-Marne département since 2004.
The sources consulted do not document the history of Le Petit Château itself: there is no dedicated article on the building. The Expedia listing simply mentions Baroque architecture. The village around it, however, has a well-known story: Barbizon is one of the emblematic places of pre-Impressionist painting in France.
Camille Corot, Charles-François Daubigny, Jean-François Millet, Théodore Rousseau and others worked from nature here. Later, Claude Monet, Auguste Renoir and Alfred Sisley made their own pilgrimage to the Fontainebleau forest. Millet and Rousseau, the two close friends who made Barbizon famous, lie side by side in the cemetery of Chailly-en-Bière.
Facilities and services at Le Petit Château de Barbizon
The details below come from the Expedia listing (as of 14 Oct 2026); room details may vary.
Rooms
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms
- Private bathroom with shower
- Bed linen provided
- 100 cm flat-screen TV with premium channels
- Central heating
- Iron and ironing board on request
- Housekeeping on request
Leisure
- Outdoor pool
- Garden with outdoor furniture
- Barbecue and picnic area
- Tennis lessons and volleyball
- Library
- Books, games and toys for children
In the château
- Fireplace in the lobby
- Shared lounge
- Baroque architecture
- Two floors, upper floors by stairs only
- Three meeting rooms
- Designated smoking areas
Service
- Reception staffed at set times
- Concierge service
- Continental breakfast 9–11 am (extra charge)
- Free parking without service (limited spaces)
- Travel guides available
Where Le Petit Château de Barbizon is: between Fontainebleau and Melun
Barbizon lies in the south-west of Seine-et-Marne, in the Pays de Bière, and belongs to the Gâtinais français regional nature park. According to Wikipedia, the village is about 10 km from Fontainebleau and 13 km from Melun by road; the Fontainebleau forest stretches to the south. Le Petit Château is about 2 km from the village centre.
For guests arriving from afar, Expedia gives about 16 minutes by car to Melun - Chartrettes station, 11 minutes to Boissise-le-Roi RER station and 50 minutes to Orly airport. The listing also names, among regional sights, the Palace of Fontainebleau, Vaux-le-Vicomte, the Millet house and studio and the Fontainebleau golf club.
On the spot, the village is best explored on foot: Millet's house and studio, the Barbizon Painters Museum in the former Ganne inn, and the forest paths of Fontainebleau.
Distances (as the crow flies from Le Petit Château de Barbizon)
| Briarée oak | approx. 800 m |
| Barbizon (village) | approx. 2 km |
| Jean-François Millet house and studio | approx. 2 km |
| Barbizon Painters Museum | approx. 2 km |
| Chailly-en-Bière | approx. 2 km |
| Table du Grand Maître | approx. 3.5 km |
| Palace of Fontainebleau | approx. 8 km |
| Melun | approx. 10 km |
| Vaux-le-Vicomte | approx. 14 km |
| Château de Blandy-les-Tours | approx. 17 km |
Distances calculated as the crow flies; driving times to the stations and airport are taken from the Expedia listing.
Things to see around Le Petit Château de Barbizon
Barbizon Painters Museum
approx. 2 km
An art museum created by merging Théodore Rousseau's house (opened 1975) with the former Ganne inn, bought by the commune in 1995. The département has run it since 2004.
Table du Grand Maître
approx. 3.5 km
A monument in the Fontainebleau forest, within the commune of Fontainebleau, listed as a historic monument since 1926. A fine goal for a woodland walk.
Palace of Fontainebleau
approx. 8 km
A royal château in Renaissance and Classical styles, home to French rulers from Francis I to Napoleon III. The first traces of a château here date back to the 12th century.
Vaux-le-Vicomte
approx. 14 km
A 17th-century château (1658–1661) built for Nicolas Fouquet, Louis XIV's superintendent of finances, at Maincy near Melun.
Château de Blandy-les-Tours
approx. 17 km
A fortress built between the 13th and the second half of the 14th century, bought by the Seine-et-Marne département in 1992 and reopened in 2007 after restoration.
Tours & activities near Le Petit Château de Barbizon
Experiences in the region that you can book online with Viator:
Fontainebleau and Vaux le Vicomte Chateaux Day Trip from Paris
See two magnificent French castles – Vaux le Vicomte and Château Fontainebleau – on a day trip from Paris! Audio-guided tours at each site are …
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Day Trip to Fontainebleau : Horse Riding, Gastronomy and Castle
Just an hour away from the busy streets of Paris lies an exquisite treasure waiting to be discovered: Fontainebleau. From François I, Henri IV to …
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Fontainebleau & Barbizon Half-Day Trip from Paris with Entry
Leave Paris behind for a few hours and discover one of France’s most beautiful royal residences and the village that inspired generations of …
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From Paris: Château de Fontainebleau and Vaux-le-Vicomte
Adventure in the French countryside, stay away from the hustle and bustle Visit two of the most important castles in French history Enjoy free time …
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Chateau of Fontainebleau and Vaux le Vicomte 9-Hour Private Tour
Step into the elegance and grandeur of two of France’s most magnificent royal estates: Château de Fontainebleau and Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte …
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Private Tour in Fontainebleau Palace with Skip-The-Line Ticket
Your guide will guide you inside the castle to bring up to life this unique place, the Château de Fontainebleau which can proudly claim to have been …
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Private tour to Fontainebleau from Paris. Tickets included!
The driver will pick you up at your hotel or any other place in central Paris. You will enjoy the trip to Fontainebleau firstly with our attentive …
View details ›
Fontainebleau Castle & Barbizon Half-Day Trip from Paris
Leave central Paris behind for a few hours and discover one of France’s most beautiful royal residences and the landscapes that inspired generations …
View details ›Some descriptions are machine-translated.
Who is Le Petit Château de Barbizon for?
Art lovers
The village of Millet and Rousseau, with Millet's house and studio and the Painters Museum, is close by; the Palace of Fontainebleau is about 8 km away.
Families
The listing mentions an outdoor pool, a garden, and books, games and toys for children; pets, however, are not allowed.
Walkers and nature lovers
The château lies in a regional nature park at the edge of the Fontainebleau forest, with its remarkable oaks and rocks.
Business stays
The listing notes three meeting rooms, handy for a small seminar near Paris.
Good to know before booking Le Petit Château de Barbizon
- Check-in is from 4 pm to 9 pm and check-out at 11 am; reception is staffed only at set times, so it is wise to announce your arrival time.
- Pets are not allowed.
- On-site parking is free but without service, and spaces are limited.
- A continental breakfast is served daily from 9 to 11 am for an extra charge.
- Upper floors are reached by stairs only. For special accessibility needs, contact the property via the booking confirmation.
- There are designated smoking areas; fines apply for smoking elsewhere.
Find available dates at Le Petit Château de Barbizon
Frequently asked questions
Can you stay overnight at Le Petit Château de Barbizon?
Yes. Le Petit Château de Barbizon can be booked via Expedia; it is presented as a château in a regional nature park, in Barbizon (Seine-et-Marne).
Is there a swimming pool?
Yes, according to the Expedia listing the property has an outdoor pool.
Are pets allowed?
No. According to Expedia, pets are not allowed.
What are the check-in and check-out times?
Check-in is possible from 4 pm to 9 pm. Check-out is at 11 am.
Is there parking at Le Petit Château de Barbizon?
Yes, parking is free on site, without service, with a limited number of spaces.
What is there to see near Le Petit Château de Barbizon?
Millet's house and studio and the Painters Museum are about 2 km away, the Palace of Fontainebleau 8 km, Melun 10 km and Vaux-le-Vicomte 14 km.
Room photos, guest reviews and available dates are all in the Le Petit Château de Barbizon listing on Expedia.
Fancy a night in a Baroque-style château at the edge of the Fontainebleau forest? Check availability and current prices for Le Petit Château de Barbizon on Expedia.
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