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Fontainebleau Help Needed!

Original Post
Adam Brink · · trying to get to Sardinia · Joined Mar 2001 · Points: 560

I was planning on going to Font with a car but because of a plan change I'm in Paris without a car. I've heard that you can get to one area in Font without a car. Does anyone know what it is and what train to take? I'm sure Ben Walburn's brother knows but I don't have his email. Please help! Thanks!

Red · · Tacoma, Toyota · Joined Sep 2008 · Points: 1,625

I rode a train into Font from Paris when I went. Sorry as I cannot remember the train number. I remember it being real easy to figure out though. Just ride the subway to the train station. You want to get off the train in Avon. It is practically the same town as Font.

You will be able to walk to three or four boulder crags near town. Unfortunately there is a LOT more areas that you will need a car for. I missed all the other areas when I went but still had fun on the stuff I could walk to.

Have fun!

PS: I really enjoyed Magic Wood in Switzerland if you can make it there! The public transportation is amazing there. The bus will drop you off right at camp. Bad ass bouldering in an amazing setting!

klk · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2007 · Points: 0

For the northern areas, take the train to Bois-le-Roi. For the southern areas, get off at Avon. You can rent a bicycle in Fontainebleau. And you'll want one-- most of the areas are spread out and fairly distant from the stations.

Schedules are here:

www.voyages-sncf.com

Charles Vernon · · Colorado megalopolis · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 2,655

Hi Adam,

You can have a perfectly great time in Font without a car, you just have to be willing to walk around 6 miles a day on flat pleasant hiking trails through the forest. You should really try to get a map of the forest, you could buy one in the town of Font itself. To get to Bas Cuvier I think it is about a three mile walk from the Bois Le Rois train station. Mayb 4? I can't remember, I do remember it wasn't too bad and I still had most of the day to climb in Fonts most well known area. There is another famous, extensive, area south of Bas Cuvier that would add a little less than a mile to the walk. Near Font itself (~1mile) is a cave with a bunch of hard traverses. Renting a bike can get you a bit further out. Anyway a map is essential to make it work, as well as a willingness to walk a bit, but it can be done.

-Patrick

Adam Brink · · trying to get to Sardinia · Joined Mar 2001 · Points: 560

Thanks Patrick! That's exactly what I was hoping to hear. If anyone has more info please post.

Bucky · · West Coast · Joined Jan 2010 · Points: 5

Hey Adam, Font can be awesome without a car. Try to hitch a ride to the campsite La Musardiere. It's pretty close to the small town of Milly la Foret and was full of climbers when I was there. This campsite is almost in the middle of many of the popular areas and if you can't find a ride it's walking distance to tons of climbing. I never had to walk all the way from Font to the campground but if for some reason you did it wouldn't take that long. Between catching rides with others climbers, old french women, and a little bit of walking, I made it to just about every major area.

m.qaden.everett · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2010 · Points: 0

the closest area to the trains is rocher canon. its about a 15 minute walk. bas cuvier is definately more of a trek. Thats what i did when i was carless in bleau.
for more info
bleau.info/canon/

m.qaden.everett · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2010 · Points: 0

oh and looking at 'charles vernon's message, the place with the cave traverses is really shitty. the area is called le calvaire. the cave is closed off to climbing because it is no longer safe. it is really close tho.
rocher canon and bas cuvier are where you want to go with no car.

Adam Brink · · trying to get to Sardinia · Joined Mar 2001 · Points: 560

Thanks again for all the help! Does anyone know if/where maps of Font can be bought in Paris?

Adam Brink · · trying to get to Sardinia · Joined Mar 2001 · Points: 560

Paula you rock! Thank you for the detailed info. Paris and getting around is a bit confusing (especially with poor French skills). Your directions are just what I need to get going. I really appreciate it. If you ever come down to Boulder, CO just let me know and you'll have a personal guide with beers at the end!

Patrick Vernon · · Grand Junction, CO · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 965

Adam,

A little more info under my own name here.

Paula's advice is good, it would be good if you could get a climbing guidebook as well, I bought mine in England, but you could probably find one in the town of Font at some outdoorsy type store. Bas Cuvier and Apremont are two of the most famous areas that can be reached most quickly by walking from the Bois Le Rois train station. I was there for 10 days back in 2003 and stayed in some weird race car themed (cheap) motel in the town of Moret in the south.

accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-24…

From there I took the train every day north and was able to walk to (with a small pad) and visit quite a few areas, and got a ton of climbing in. Definitely locate Bas Cuvier and Apremont on the map and visit these areas.

Bas Cuvier is I believe the most famous area, the "blue circuit" should be onsightable, but challenging and very memorable, for a 5.12ish trad climber. Apremont is a bit larger, with tons to do (the piano mantel, some famous slab problems if you're into that sort of thing). And of course all these areas have tons of famous harder problems as well.

The walking as I stated in my post above is a little time consuming, and not a popular way most people visit Font, but it really isn't all that bad. In a way it became a huge and memorable part of my trip for me as the forest is beautiful, and with some french wine at the end of the day it was an even more beautiful experience to walk through it and back to the train station and home. Watch out for wild boars though (no joke) and strange french buisnessmen looking for some hot young climber love (also no joke) if you decide to hitchike.

Insanely jealous right now!

-Patrick

Adam Brink · · trying to get to Sardinia · Joined Mar 2001 · Points: 560

Thanks Pat for the info! My offer of climbing and beers in Boulder go your way as well if you ever get to those parts.

Ben Walburn · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2007 · Points: 680

PM sent, I hope you guys are having a fantastic time.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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