Living in Fontainebleau
Surrounded by the lush and famous forest of Fontainebleau, the INSEAD Europe Campus is just one hour outside of Paris. The city of Fontainebleau is home to one of France’s grandest palaces, the Chateau de Fontainebleau. Participants on the Europe campus appreciate the green surroundings and the charm of a quaint French town, with easy access to Paris as well as other key European cities.
Most MBA participants live in Fontainebleau town center, about a 10-minute walk from the campus, or in the many surrounding villages within easy commuting distance.
Discover life in Fontainebleau
The town itself is a lively centre for shopping, culture, dining and nightlife. On Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays the “place du marché” is host to a large open air market, with an abundance of local fresh produce and regional specialities.
At the heart of the town is the world-famous Chateau de Fontainebleau which was built by the kings of France and then later used as a residence by Napoleon. The Chateau is now open to the public for tours of both the sumptuous interior and the elegant surrounding gardens.
The magnificent forest of Fontainebleau is a beautiful setting with extensive trails for walking, running, biking and rock climbing. It is home to a large population of wild boar and deer, which can often be spotted, especially when driving through the forest.
Learn more about activities and events in Fontainebleau.
Discover Paris and the surroundings
Paris is 65 km north of
Fontainebleau and can be reached by road in less than an hour. Fontainebleau is about 100 km south of Paris-CDG airport and the connection is well-served by public transport. By car, you can reach the Loire Valley in an hour, the rolling hills of Burgundy in two hours and the ski slopes of the Alps in four hours.
France also offers the world’s most developed high-speed train network. From Paris, London can be reached in three hours by train and the Mediterranean coast is only three-and-a-half hours away.
Accommodation
While INSEAD does not provide on-campus accommodation, there is a wide variety of reasonably priced housing in the area, including studios, flats and houses. A popular and affordable option is to rent a large country house or chateau and share it with fellow classmates. There are also numerous locally based agencies that have suitable properties to rent to MBA students.
Accommodation resources
Bonapart
Office de l’immobilier
City Junction
