Archive Directory
Places of Barbizon
Discover the historic ateliers, quiet inns, and forest clearings that defined the Pre-Impressionist era. Each location is a chapter in the narrative of nature's awakening.
Where to eat
Le Relais de Barbizon
Traditional French restaurant with a Breton chef, specialising in fresh seafood and fish. Shaded terrace, lounge bar Thu–Sun evenings.
Le Gaulois
Meat and offal specialist with a wine list of over 250 references. A Barbizon institution.
O Bout
Restaurant, wine bar, and local produce shop at the forest end of the Grande Rue.
La Bohème
Traditional French bistro in a former artist's house next to Millet's studio. Ivy-covered terrasse.
Allee John Constable
A quiet passage linking the Grande Rue to the Espace Culturel Marc Jacquet, named after the English painter who inspired the Barbizon School. Two mosaics from the Parcours des Peintres are located here.
Arte Milenario
Artisan d'art au 39 Grande Rue. Bijoux en pierres fines faits main et chapellerie fine, dont authentiques chapeaux Panama. Chaque pièce créée en quantité limitée par Rolando Arévalo.
Artemis Suite & Gîte
Chambre d'hôtes et gîte de caractère dans un bâtiment historique au 38 Grande Rue. Deux hébergements distincts : Artemis Suite (chambre king, baignoire spa, entrée privée, adultes) et Artemis Gîte (2 chambres, cheminée, kitchenette). Jardin et cour intérieure.
Atelier Daubigny — Plaque
A plaque on the west facade of Hôtel Les Pléiades marks Daubigny's original studio, where he worked from 1835 to 1865.
Auberge Ganne — Musée de l'École de Barbizon
The inn where the Barbizon School was born. Now the Musée de l'École de Barbizon, preserving the painted walls where artists paid for dinner with canvases.
Besharat Gallery & Suites
Contemporary international art gallery, sculpture gardens, and art suites in the historic Villa Les Charmettes.
Bobo Club
Barbizon's nightclub — two dancefloors, themed evenings, and free shuttle from Fontainebleau on weekends.
Boucherie de l'Angelus
Butcher and charcuterie with cave a vin and epicerie fine. A complete food address in the heart of the Grande Rue.
Caverne des Brigands
Grotte a double entree creee par Denecourt en 1845. Passage souterrain etroit entre deux chaos de gres. Point fort du Sentier de la Cavaliere des Brigands.
Cercle Laure Henry
Cultural exhibition space at 43 Grande Rue, in the former home of soprano Laure Henry. Rotating shows of painting, sculpture and ceramics by contemporary artists. Run by a lay association since 2016.
Chalet de la Caverne des Brigands
Forest bistro at the Allée des Vaches car park — crêpes, frites, brasserie plates, and a shaded terrace at the edge of the Fontainebleau forest.
Chapelle de Barbizon
The village chapel, converted from a barn belonging to Théodore Rousseau's house by his architect brother.
Chêne Sully
A 400-year-old sessile oak in the Gorges d'Apremont — one of the oldest and largest trees in the Fontainebleau forest.
Cimetiere de Barbizon
Village cemetery. Several Barbizon School painters are buried here.
Coz Ker — Maison de François Millet et Gustave Eiffel
A modest Grande Rue house where François Millet — son of the painter — and later Gustave Eiffel both lived.
Creperie Barjole
Crepes and galettes de sarrasin in a convivial setting with garden terrasse and cheminee.
Desert d'Apremont
Clairiere sablonneuse au coeur des Gorges d'Apremont. Paysage ouvert de sable blanc, bruyeres et gres -- un paysage de lande dans la foret. Frequente par Corot et Rousseau.
Epicerie de Barbizon
Epicerie de proximite au coeur du village.
Epicerie Vegetale
An organic grocery and restaurant at 56ter Grande Rue.
Escalade -- Apremont Bizons
Secteur familial dans les Gorges d'Apremont. Circuit jaune pour enfants (F), orange (AD) et rouge (TD). Blocs de caractere accessibles depuis le Bas-Breau.
Escalade -- Cuvier-Chatillon
L'un des secteurs de bouldering les plus celebres au monde. Circuits de tous niveaux, blocs legendaires, haute densite de problemes. Acces par la D607 entre Barbizon et Fontainebleau.
Escalade -- Gorges d'Apremont
Le secteur de bloc le plus proche de Barbizon. Plus de 300 blocs, circuits de tous niveaux du blanc (enfants) au noir (ED+). Depart parking du Bas-Breau + 600m a pied.
Escalade — Apremont Butte aux Dames
Bouldering sector on the north hill of the Apremont massif, with circuits from grade 2 to 8A. Accessed from the Allée des Vaches parking.
Escalade — Apremont Envers
North-facing climbing sector on the Apremont massif, known for shaded sandstone problems.
Galaxie des Arts
Contemporary art gallery established in 1988, showing painting and sculpture by internationally recognised artists. The sole Barbizon location since 2025.
Galerie 39
A rentable exhibition space on the Grande Rue, open to independent artists for solo shows.
Galerie 41
Municipal exhibition space at 41 Grande Rue. Rotating shows of painting, sculpture, ceramics and photography by contemporary artists. A new artist each week, free admission. Announced by the Mairie.
Galerie Alfart-LBK & Métranve Sculptures
Contemporary art gallery and sculpture studio at 6 Rue Ernest Revillon. Permanent home of sculptor Bernard Métranve and a rotating programme of painting and sculpture.
Galerie Atelier Drochon
The studio and gallery of Christophe Drochon, hyperrealist wildlife painter — a permanent exhibition of paintings and drawings in the heart of the Grande Rue.
Galerie Frédéric Got Fine Art
The most prominent contemporary art gallery in Barbizon, founded here in 1991. Painting, sculpture, and photography by major international artists. Open daily 11h–19h.
Galerie L'Angélus
Fine art gallery founded by Bachar and Hiam Farhat in 2011, with three spaces across the Grande Rue including one inside the Musée Millet. 19th-century Barbizon School originals, prints, sculpture, and contemporary works.
Galerie Roz in Winter
Galerie d'art contemporain sur 3 salles. Nouvelle exposition chaque mois avec 10 artistes peintres, sculpteurs et photographes. Vernissages reguliers.
Hôtel Le Manoir Saint-Hérem
A long-abandoned hotel on the rue Jean-François Millet, formerly the Hôtel Bellevue, where Picasso and his family once stayed.
Hotellerie du Bas-Breau
Historic 4-star hotel and restaurant in a shaded 2-hectare park at the edge of the forest.
L'A Patisserie KG
Franco-Japanese salon de the by starred chef Kunihisa Goto and pastry chef Ayako Kishi. Opened April 2025.
L'Angelo
Italian restaurant and pizzeria with a shaded terrasse. A Barbizon favourite for over a decade.
L'Atelier de Berangere
Atelier-showroom de Bérengère Evain, Meilleure Ouvrière de France lunetière 2019 — première femme à obtenir ce titre en lunetterie. Montures sur-mesure façonnées à la main dans des matériaux rares : corne, nacre, bois, cuir de poisson. Sur rendez-vous.
L'Éléphant de Barbizon
A sandstone rock formation whose silhouette unmistakably recalls an elephant — one of the most recognisable natural landmarks in the Fontainebleau forest.
L'Ermitage Saint Antoine
A gastronomic restaurant, bar à tapas, coffee shop, night bar and épicerie fine at 51 Grande Rue — reopened January 2025 under chef Cyrine Jarretie.
L'Esquisse
A hôtel culturel at 73 Grande Rue combining nine rooms, a museum of 19th-century European artist colonies, a café, and a garden — in a building dating from the 1890s, fully renovated and opened in February 2024.
L'Imaginarium
Papeterie, galerie et concept store a l'etage du 78 Grande Rue.
L'Ombrage
A Grande Rue house where Arthur Rubinstein and Samson François came to prepare concerts, possibly once belonging to George Sand.
La Bastide de Barbizon
Guesthouse and luxury rental at the northern edge of the village, in a tranquil setting near the fields.
La Bohème
Traditional French bistro in a former artist's house next to Millet's studio. Ivy-covered terrasse.
La Dame aux Coquelicots
Atelier-boutique de Fabienne, artisane decoratrice. Creations originales autour du motif du coquelicot : objets, decorations et pieces d'art.
La Folie Barbizon
Hotel 4-star, artist residence and locavore restaurant at the forest edge. 21 rooms each designed by a contemporary artist.
La Galerie des Pains
Boulangerie artisanale bio. Guillaume Potherat, Maitre Artisan et Compagnon du Devoir, propose pains au levain, viennoiseries et patisseries maison depuis 2009.
La Juxtaposition
Cosy salon de the, boutique and gallery space. Homemade pastries, 20 varieties of tea. Gault & Millau noted.
La Poste de Barbizon
The village post office, elected the prettiest post office in France in 1967, in a former villa once belonging to a SACEM president.
Le Chêne Bodmer
The former site of the Chêne Bodmer — a celebrated oak painted by Bodmer, Corot and Monet, now no longer standing.
Le Chic à Barbizon
Luxury apartment sleeping up to 8 adults in the historic Charmettes building on the Grande Rue. Managed as a concierge service.
Le Cottage Barbizonnais
An independent wooden cottage with private jacuzzi, set in a peaceful garden on the Rue Ernest Revillon. Two bedrooms, continental breakfast delivered by basket.
Le Dormoir de Lantara
A sheltered glade in the Bas-Bréau forest where herds of up to 20,000 animals once rested — named for the wandering 18th-century painter Lantara, and a favourite subject of Díaz, Rousseau, and Corot.
Le Gaulois
Meat and offal specialist with a wine list of over 250 references. A Barbizon institution.
Le P'tit Angélus
Charming chambre d'hôtes in a flower-filled garden, a short walk from the Grande Rue. Three rooms, homemade breakfasts, dinner on request.
Le Petit Château de Barbizon au Bois du Mée
An ivy-covered château with red shutters on a private wooded estate at the edge of Barbizon — five rooms, outdoor pool, spa, and extensive grounds.
Le Relais de Barbizon
Traditional French restaurant with a Breton chef, specialising in fresh seafood and fish. Shaded terrace, lounge bar Thu–Sun evenings.
Le Royal
Brasserie, bar and PMU at 50 Grande Rue — the village's anchor café, open from early morning through the evening. Terrasse, generous plates, themed evenings and live sport.
Le Tumble Inn
A legendary American jazz bar opened in 1920 that welcomed King Albert I of Belgium, the future Duke of Windsor, Charlie Chaplin, and Jean Cocteau.
Les Pléiades Hôtel · Spa · Restaurant
4-star hotel, spa, and restaurant at the heart of the Grande Rue. 22 rooms, indoor and outdoor pools, hammam, and gourmet restaurant. Currently closed for renovation.
Librairie Cyrano
Independent bookshop at 54 Grande Rue, specialising in art, nature and artisan craft. Writing workshops, literary hikes and author events. Opened August 2024 in a former studio of painter Félix Ziem.
Mairie de Barbizon
The village hall, inaugurated in 1957 on the site of a former painter's studio.
Maison 45
Interior decoration boutique and design consultancy at 45 bis Grande Rue. Curated furniture, objects and artisan works, with rotating artist exhibitions. Advice and project support available.
Maison de Charles Jacque
Maison-atelier du peintre et graveur Charles Jacque (1813-1894), dit le Raphael des moutons. Il y installa egalement un elevage de volailles et une aspergerie.
Maison de Diaz de la Peña
Former home of Narcisse Virgilio Díaz de la Peña (1807–1876), one of the founding figures of the Barbizon School. He lived here from 1837 until his death, painting the forest of Fontainebleau and mentoring the young Renoir.
Maison de Millet — Musée Millet
The house and studio where Jean-François Millet lived and worked from 1849 until his death in 1875. A private museum since 1922, preserving his palette, tools, personal objects, and original paintings. Open daily except Tuesday.
Maison de Rousseau
Former home of Théodore Rousseau, leader of the Barbizon School.
Maison Morin
Artisan traiteur, pâtisserie and épicerie fine on the Grande Rue, Gault & Millau noted. Founded in 1989 by Laurent Morin, taken over in 2021 by his son Victorien who added a full patisserie department. Everything made on-site in a 110m² glazed kitchen. No seating — takeaway only.
Médaillon Millet & Rousseau
A bronze medallion memorial to Millet and Rousseau at the threshold between the village and the Forest of Fontainebleau.
Mon Oeil
Opticien independant de luxe. Elodie et Guillaume Moulin, opticiens diplomes, proposent une selection pointue de montures de createurs internationaux.
Monument des Freres Farman
Monument commemorating Henri Farman and the Voisin brothers, pioneers of aviation who used the Plaine de l'Angelus as a landing field.
Muse Galerie
Musee-galerie dedie a l'oeuvre de Christoff Debusschere, Peintre Officiel de la Marine, de l'Air et de l'Armee de Terre. Exposition permanente depuis octobre 2025.
Nunchi
Boutique de lifestyle coréen fondée par Jana Farhat — l'une des premières en France à proposer mode, accessoires et cosmétiques coréens en boutique physique. Marques de créateurs sélectionnées à la main, vêtements homme et femme, K-beauty. Livraison mondiale depuis Barbizon.
O Bout
Restaurant, wine bar, and local produce shop at the forest end of the Grande Rue.
Parcours des Mosaiques
A self-guided circuit of 19 Venetian glass mosaics along the Grande Rue, each placed at the exact spot where the depicted Barbizon School painting was made. 870m, fully accessible.
Parcours FB -- Fontainebleau-Barbizon
Liaison douce de 13 km entre Barbizon et Fontainebleau, balisage FB blanc. A pied ou a velo. Entierement en foret, sans voiture. Traverse les Gorges d'Apremont.
Plaine de l'Angelus - Site de la peinture
The exact field where Millet stood when painting his famous L'Angelus. Chailly church steeple visible on the horizon, just as in the painting.
Plaine de l'Angelus et Ferme du Couvent
La plaine agricole a l'ouest de Barbizon ou Millet peignit L'Angelus et Les Glaneuses. La Ferme du Couvent, ancienne dependance monastique, marque l'entree de la plaine depuis le village.
Point de vue des Gorges d'Apremont
Vue panoramique depuis les platières sur les chaos de gres et la canopee de la foret de Fontainebleau. L'un des plus beaux points de vue du massif de Barbizon.
Point de vue Ouest des Gorges d'Apremont
Western viewpoint over the Gorges d'Apremont — a rocky outcrop offering open views across the sandstone landscape of the Apremont massif.
Rocher de l'Elephant
Bloc de gres en forme de tete d'elephant. Chef-d'oeuvre du bestiaire rocheux de la foret de Fontainebleau. Etape du Sentier des Peintres.
Rose
Boutique de mode féminine au 38 Grande Rue. Sélection de vêtements et accessoires tendance, des tenues décontractées aux tenues habillées.
Sentier bleu no.6 -- Gorges d'Apremont
Circuit Denecourt-Colinet no.6, balisage bleu. 5 km a travers les chaos rocheux des Gorges d'Apremont. Depart parking du Bas-Breau. Le sentier classique du secteur de Barbizon.
Sentier de la Cavaliere des Brigands
Boucle de 6 km / 2h au depart du parking du Bas-Breau. Passe par la Caverne des Brigands et une cavaliere rocheuse avec vue panoramique. Circuit ONF/AFF.
Sentier des Peintres
Boucle officielle de 6 km / 2h au depart de la Place Marc Jacquet. Balisage jaune. Facile, tout public. Passe par le Rocher de l'Elephant, le Bas-Breau et les Gorges d'Apremont.
Sentier du Dormoir de Lantara
A quiet forest loop named for the painter Simon Lantara, said to have slept beneath its sandstone rocks. 1.9km, easy.
Val'et des Fromages
A fromagerie and restaurant on the Grande Rue, serving cheese boards and regional produce.
Via Veneto Glaces
Artisan glacier at 56 bis Grande Rue. Ice creams and sorbets made in their own atelier using organic milk from Moigny-sur-École. Opened in Barbizon in June 2024.
Villa Albertine
Luxury holiday rental villa in the heart of Barbizon. A private house sleeping up to eight, with garden, available for weekly stays.
Villa Bernard
A Barbizon villa where André Citroën, Coco Chanel, Jean Cocteau, Diaghilev, Giraudoux, and Paul Iribe all met.
Villa Élisabeth
Former residence of Roland Dorgelès, author of Les Croix de Bois.