An immersive historical reenactment weekend, an unforgettable experience
In 2024, the Château de Fontainebleau will be reliving the 210th anniversary of Napoleon I’s farewell to his guard.
The Cour d’Honneur of the Château is also known as the “Cour des Adieux” (Court of Farewells), because at the foot of its Horseshoe staircase, Napoleon I bid farewell to the Guard on April 20th 1814 before leaving for exile to the island of Elba. To mark the occasion, we invite you to step back in time and relive the Twenty Days leading up to and culminating in the collapse of the Empire.
210 years later, the Twenty Days and Napoleon's Farewell
Twenty decisive days, between March 31st and April 20th 1814, marked the end of the Napoleonic era and shaped the future of France and Europe. A veritable political and military saga, these twenty days were the scene of complex and exciting negotiations between Napoleon I’s general staff and Tsar Alexander I, crucial exchanges between the European coalition forces and the Emperor, who had retreated to Fontainebleau, military intrigues and political reversals.
During this unique weekend, more than 250 passionate re-enactors, surrounded by a team of actors, will bring this period of history to life.
Military demonstrations in the Château’s gardens and courtyards, the setting up of a Napoleonic bivouac and the staging of everyday life in the early 19th century through the presence of small trades in the English Garden, reenactment of the famous scene of Napoleon I’s farewell to his loyal soldiers in the Honour Courtyard and scenes played out in the rooms of the Château de Fontainebleau to tell the story behind this historic moment!
It’s an unforgettable experience that will give us a better understanding of this key moment in French history, shed light on the great political and military figures who marked this period, and remind us that History shapes the contemporary world.
In partnership with the Conseil départemental de Seine-et-Marne and with the support of Fondation France Mutualiste.
Tickets
Choose the ticket that suits you best!
Ticket details
Access to the courtyards and gardens of the Château de Fontainebleau
On April 20th and 21st, the Château de Fontainebleau will be open only as part of the “210 Years of Napoleon’s Farewells” event. To access the château, courtyards and gardens and experience this immersive moment of historical re-enactment, you must have a ticket for the event. Only the park remains open 24 hours a day during this festive weekend.
Duration: ticket valid all day, from 9am to 6pm.
Suitable for all
Access to the Napoleon I Museum
To find out more about Napoleon’s reign, the Napoleon I Museum at the Château de Fontainebleau, created in 1986, will be open to anyone with a ticket for the event, via a queue.
Duration: free access on presentation of a ticket, all day long, from 9am to 4.30pm
Location: Musée Napoléon I
Not accessible to people with reduced mobility
Access to the Napoleon’s Grands Appartements
Would you like to find out more about Napoleon’s life at the Château de Fontainebleau? Stroll through the rooms that are still furnished as if Napoleon had just left. You’ll discover part of the Grands Appartements and the interior flats, including Napoleon’s Throne Room, the Council Room and the Abdication Room.
These areas will be accessible to anyone with a ticket for the event, via a queue.
Duration: free access on presentation of ticket, all day long, from 9am to 4.30pm
Not accessible to people with reduced mobility
Access to the military bivouac
In the English garden of the Château de Fontainebleau, immerse yourself in the heart of a military bivouac under Napoleon. Discover how French camps were organised under the Empire, learn about the fascinating skills of early 19th-century craftsmen, meet soldiers, watch platoons move around the bivouac, admire artillery pieces and, above all, don’t miss the Emperor’s tent: immersion guaranteed!
Duration: free access on presentation of ticket, all day long, 9am to 4.30pm on Saturday, 9am to 4pm on Sunday. We recommend that you allow between 40 minutes and 1 hour to visit the bivouac.
Location: English Garden
Suitable for all
Reenactment of Napoleon’s farewell to his guard
The Honour Courtyard of the château is also known as the “Cour des Adieux” (Courtyard of Farewells), because it was at the foot of the horseshoe staircase that Napoleon I bid farewell to his guard on April 20th 1814 before leaving for exile to the island of Elba. Come and relive, 210 years later, Napoleon’s famous farewell to his guard on the famous Horseshoe Staircase.
With the participation of David Chanteranne.
Duration: 30 minutes
Location: Cour d’Honneur (Honour Courtyard)
Suitable for all
🎫 Prices: €19 full price | €9 reduced price | Free for children under 4
🚼 Tickets suitable for all audiences
♿ This ticket is recommended for people with reduced mobility. Only the Napoleon I Museum and the Napoleon’s Grands Appartements are not accessible. Detailed information on accessibility will be available on this page from April 8th.
Access to the courtyards and gardens of the Château de Fontainebleau
On April 20th and 21st, the Château de Fontainebleau will be open only as part of the “210 Years of Napoleon’s Farewells” event. To access the château, courtyards and gardens and experience this immersive moment of historical re-enactment, you must have a ticket for the event. Only the park remains open 24 hours a day during this festive weekend.
Duration: ticket valid all day, from 9am to 6pm.
Suitable for all
Access to the Napoleon I Museum
To find out more about Napoleon’s reign, the Napoleon I Museum at the Château de Fontainebleau, created in 1986, will be open to anyone with a ticket for the event, via a queue.
Duration: free access on presentation of a ticket, all day long, from 9am to 4.30pm
Location: Musée Napoléon I
Not accessible to people with reduced mobility.
Access to the Napoleon’s Grands Appartments
Would you like to find out more about Napoleon’s life at the Château de Fontainebleau? Stroll through the rooms that are still furnished as if Napoleon had just left. You’ll discover part of the Grands Appartements and the interior flats, including Napoleon’s Throne Room, the Council Room and the Abdication Room.
These areas will be accessible to anyone with a ticket for the event, via a queue.
Duration: free access on presentation of ticket, all day long, from 9am to 4.30pm
Not accessible to people with reduced mobility.
Access to the military bivouac
In the English garden of the Château de Fontainebleau, plunge into the heart of a military bivouac under Napoleon. Discover the organization of French camps under the Empire, the fascinating skills of early 19th-century craftsmen, meet soldiers, watch platoons evolve within this bivouac, admire artillery pieces and, above all, don’t miss the Emperor’s tent: immersion guaranteed!
Duration: free access on presentation of ticket, all day, 9am to 4.30pm on Saturday, 9am to 4pm on Sunday. We recommend that you allow between 40 minutes and 1 hour to visit the bivouac.
Location: Jardin Anglais
Suitable for all
Reenactment of Napoleon’s farewell to his guard
The cour d’Honneur of the château is also known as the “Cour des Adieux”, because it was at the foot of its Horseshoe staircase that Napoleon I bid farewell to his guard on April 20, 1814, before leaving for exile on the island of Elba. Come and relive, 210 years later, Napoleon’s famous farewell to his guard on the famous Fer-à-cheval staircase.
With the participation of David Chanteranne.
Duration: 30 minutes
Location: Cour d’Honneur
Suitable for all
“The Marshals” scene
Relive the highlights of the 20 days leading up to the Abdication and Napoleon’s farewell to his guard: immerse yourself in a Napoleonic boardroom in full questioning mode. The Emperor seeks advice from his marshals, and is surrounded… But for how long?
Duration: 15 minutes
Location: Ballroom
Seats available
🎫 Prices: 23€ full price | 13€ reduced price
🚼 Tickets recommended for ages 7 and up
♿ Accessible offers are the “Farewell” and “Empress” tickets. Detailed information on accessibility will be available on this page from April 8th.
Access to the courtyards and gardens of the Château de Fontainebleau
On April 20th and 21st, the Château de Fontainebleau will be open only as part of the “210 Years of Napoleon’s Farewells” event. To access the château, courtyards and gardens and experience this immersive moment of historical re-enactment, you must have a ticket for the event. Only the park remains open 24 hours a day during this festive weekend.
Duration: ticket valid all day, from 9am to 6pm.
Suitable for all
Access to the Napoleon I Museum
To find out more about Napoleon’s reign, the Napoleon I Museum at the Château de Fontainebleau, created in 1986, will be open to anyone with a ticket for the event, via a queue.
Duration: free access on presentation of a ticket, all day long, from 9am to 4.30pm
Location: Musée Napoléon I
Not accessible to people with reduced mobility.
Access to the Napoleon’s Grands Appartements
Would you like to find out more about Napoleon’s life at the Château de Fontainebleau? Stroll through the rooms that are still furnished as if Napoleon had just left. You’ll discover part of the Grands Appartements and the interior flats, including Napoleon’s Throne Room, the Council Room and the Abdication Room.
These areas will be accessible to anyone with a ticket for the event, via a queue.
Duration: free access on presentation of ticket, all day long, from 9am to 4.30pm
Not accessible to people with reduced mobility.
Access to the military bivouac
In the English garden of the Château de Fontainebleau, plunge into the heart of a military bivouac under Napoleon. Discover the organization of French camps under the Empire, the fascinating skills of early 19th-century craftsmen, meet soldiers, watch platoons evolve within this bivouac, admire artillery pieces and, above all, don’t miss the Emperor’s tent: immersion guaranteed!
Duration: free access on presentation of ticket, all day, from 9 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. on Saturday, and from 9 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. on Sunday. We recommend that you allow between 40 minutes and 1 hour to visit the bivouac.
Location: Jardin Anglais
Suitable for all
Reenactment of Napoleon’s farewell to his guard
The cour d’Honneur of the château is also known as the “Cour des Adieux”, because it was at the foot of its Horseshoe staircase that Napoleon I bid farewell to his guard on April 20, 1814, before leaving for exile on the island of Elba. Come and relive, 210 years later, Napoleon’s famous farewell to his guard on the famous Fer-à-cheval staircase.
With the participation of David Chanteranne.
Duration: 30 minutes
Location: Cour d’Honneur
Suitable for all
“Negotiations between Fontainebleau and Paris” scene .
Between Fontainebleau and Paris, the Marquis de Caulaincourt, close to Napoleon, attempts to negotiate with Talleyrand and the Russian Tsar Alexander I. During these 20 days, he tries to support his Emperor as best he can, but it may already be too late.
Running time: 15 minutes
Location: Salle des Colonnes
No seat
🎫 Prices: 23€ full price | 13€ reduced price
🚼 Tickets recommended for ages 7 and up
♿ Accessible offers are the “Adieux” and “Impératrice” tickets. Detailed information on accessibility will be available on this page from April 8th.
Access to the courtyards and gardens of the Château de Fontainebleau
On April 20th and 21st, the Château de Fontainebleau will be open only as part of the “210 Years of Napoleon’s Farewells” event. To access the château, courtyards and gardens and experience this immersive moment of historical re-enactment, you must have a ticket for the event. Only the park remains open 24 hours a day during this festive weekend.
Duration: ticket valid all day, from 9am to 6pm.
Suitable for all
Access to the Napoleon I Museum
To find out more about Napoleon’s reign, the Napoleon I Museum at the Château de Fontainebleau, created in 1986, will be open to anyone with a ticket for the event, via a queue.
Duration: free access on presentation of a ticket, all day long, from 9am to 4.30pm
Location: Musée Napoléon I
Not accessible to people with reduced mobility.
Access to Napoleon’s Grands Appartements
Would you like to find out more about Napoleon’s life at the Château de Fontainebleau? Stroll through the rooms that are still furnished as if Napoleon had just left. You’ll discover part of the Grands Appartements and the interior flats, including Napoleon’s Throne Room, the Council Room and the Abdication Room.
These areas will be accessible to anyone with a ticket for the event, via a queue.
Duration: free access on presentation of ticket, all day long, from 9am to 4.30pm
Not accessible to people with reduced mobility.
Access to the military bivouac
In the English garden of the Château de Fontainebleau, plunge into the heart of a military bivouac under Napoleon. Discover the organization of French camps under the Empire, the fascinating skills of early 19th-century craftsmen, meet soldiers, watch platoons evolve within this bivouac, admire artillery pieces and, above all, don’t miss the Emperor’s tent: immersion guaranteed!
Duration: free access on presentation of ticket, all day, 9am to 4.30pm on Saturday, 9am to 4pm on Sunday. We recommend that you allow between 40 minutes and 1 hour to visit the bivouac.
Location: Jardin Anglais
Suitable for all
Reenactment of “Napoleon’s farewell to his guard”
The Cour d’Honneur of the château is also known as the “Cour des Adieux”, because it was at the foot of the Horseshoe staircase that Napoleon I bid farewell to his guard on April 20, 1814, before leaving for exile on the island of Elba. Come and relive, 210 years later, Napoleon’s famous farewell to his guard on the famous Fer-à-cheval staircase.
With the participation of David Chanteranne.
Duration: 30 minutes
Location: Cour d’Honneur
Suitable for all
“The Empress facing her destiny” scene
Empress Marie-Louise is in Blois. On April 7, 1814, in the midst of political and diplomatic tensions, she had had no news from Napoleon for three days. Away from her husband, the Empress swings from one source of pressure to another: how does she experience the collapse of the Empire, even though she’s far away?
Running time: 15 minutes
Venue: chapelle de la Trinité
Suitable for all
Seats available
🎫 Prices: 23€ full price | 13€ reduced price
🚼 Tickets recommended for ages 7 and up
♿ This ticket is recommended for people with reduced mobility. Only the Musée Napoléon I and the Grands Appartements de Napoléon are not accessible. Detailed information on accessibility will be available on this page from April 8th.
Access to the courtyards and gardens of the Château de Fontainebleau
On April 20th and 21st, the Château de Fontainebleau will be open only as part of the “210 Years of Napoleon’s Farewells” event. To access the château, courtyards and gardens and experience this immersive moment of historical re-enactment, you must have a ticket for the event. Only the park remains open 24 hours a day during this festive weekend.
Duration: ticket valid all day, from 9am to 6pm.
Suitable for all
Access to the Napoleon I Museum
To find out more about Napoleon’s reign, the Napoleon I Museum at the Château de Fontainebleau, created in 1986, will be open to anyone with a ticket for the event, via a queue.
Duration: free access on presentation of a ticket, all day long, from 9am to 4.30pm
Location: Musée Napoléon I
Not accessible to people with reduced mobility.
Access to the Napoleon’s Grands Appartements
Would you like to find out more about Napoleon’s life at the Château de Fontainebleau? Stroll through the rooms that are still furnished as if Napoleon had just left. You’ll discover part of the Grands Appartements and the interior flats, including Napoleon’s Throne Room, the Council Room and the Abdication Room.
These areas will be accessible to anyone with a ticket for the event, via a queue.
Duration: free access on presentation of ticket, all day long, from 9am to 4.30pm
Not accessible to people with reduced mobility.
Access to the military bivouac
In the English garden of the Château de Fontainebleau, plunge into the heart of a military bivouac under Napoleon. Discover the organization of French camps under the Empire, the fascinating skills of early 19th-century craftsmen, meet soldiers, watch platoons evolve within this bivouac, admire artillery pieces and, above all, don’t miss the Emperor’s tent: immersion guaranteed!
Duration: free access on presentation of ticket, all day, 9am to 4.30pm on Saturday, 9am to 4pm on Sunday. We recommend that you allow between 40 minutes and 1 hour to visit the bivouac.
Location: Jardin Anglais
Suitable for all
Reenactment of Napoleon’s farewell to his guard
The cour d’Honneur of the château is also known as the “Cour des Adieux”, because it was at the foot of its Horseshoe staircase that Napoleon I bid farewell to his guard on April 20, 1814, before leaving for exile on the island of Elba. Come and relive, 210 years later, Napoleon’s famous farewell to his guard on the famous Fer-à-cheval staircase.
With the participation of David Chanteranne.
Duration: 30 minutes
Location: Cour d’Honneur
Suitable for all
“In the service of the imperial couple” immersive visit
“Hello, my name is Constant and I work here. Follow me!”
Experience a total immersion as you follow Constant, the Emperor’s man servant, as he recounts his experience of the 20 days in Fontainebleau before Napoleon’s farewell. Stroll through the Petits Appartements of Premier Empire and listen carefully: the Emperor and Empress servants have a few things to tell you.
Duration: 45 minutes
Location: Emperor and Empress’ Petits Appartements
🎫 Prices: 26€ full price | 16€ reduced price
🚼 Tickets recommended for children aged 7 and over
♿ Accessible offers are the “Adieux” and “Impératrice” tickets. Detailed information on accessibility will be available on this page from April 8th.
Practical information
Access: Quartier Henri IV – Place d’Armes.
Opening hours: 9 am to 6 pm.
Price: From €19 | Free for children under 4.
The re-enactors and actors selected for this event pay particular attention to costume design. In order to respect the quality of the work carried out for this event, visitors are not allowed to come in costume. Thank you for your understanding.
Discounts and free admission
The following categories of people are entitled to reduced rates for cultural events on presentation of proof of entitlement:
– young people under 26;
– people with disabilities and war veterans (and their carer / friend);
– those receiving unemployment benefit, minimum pension payments, single parent benefit, or similar welfare payments;
– Pass Education holders;
– public museum scientific and research staff, Ministry of Culture and INHA (Institut National d’Histoire de l’Art) staff;
– journalists with a valid press pass;
– conference speakers and tour guides;
– lecturers and guide-interpreters;
– ICOM and ICOMOS members;
– members of the Société des amis du château de Fontainebleau (ACF).
Only children under the age of 4 are entitled to free admission.
