Forest Nights at the Château de Fontainebleau

In resonance with the Grandeur Nature sculpture trail presented in the grounds of the Château de Fontainebleau, the Nuits des forêts program, supported by COAL, invites artists and experts to observe and listen attentively to the forest ecosystem. Continuing the story of the representation of the forest that unfolds in the rooms of the Château, the public is invited to a sensitive and poetic immersion in the changing landscapes of this emblematic forest.

Located just 1 hour south of Paris, the forest of Fontainebleau offers an astonishing diversity of landscapes. Precious for its inhabitants and numerous visitors, it is a fabulous natural heritage to be discovered with respect and kindness. A former hunting ground for the kings of France, this vast forest of over 22,000 hectares of unspoilt nature is well deserving of its title of “Forêt d’Exception®”.

Famous the world over, the Fontainebleau forest has inspired numerous artists since the 19th century, drawn by its evocative rocky chaos, its light and its varied atmospheres. The first natural site in the world to benefit from a protection measure with the Barbizon Painters’ Reserves, it is also a precious reservoir of biodiversity.

As such, this unique forest is recognized by by Unesco as a biosphere reserve a territory that considers biodiversity conservation and sustainable development to be at the very heart of its values.

Throughout the day, through exhibitions, walks or artistic and naturalist workshops, discover this forest. In the company of ONF foresters, young artists from the Beaux-Arts de Paris or botanical experts from the Muséum national d’Histoire Naturelle, enjoy original experiences combining exploration, knowledge and creation.

As night falls, in celebration of summer, music and forests, an exceptional concert by Emily Loizeau will resonate in the grand parterre of the Château de Fontainebleau, offering a suspended moment between art and the celebration of trees as guardians of life.

A program supported by COAL.

PROGRAMMING FOR JUNE 21 COMPLETE

This day is conceived as a discovery or rediscovery of the park of the Château de Fontainebleau, with speakers from the artistic and scientific communities giving us a new perspective on the forestry and ecological issues of this protected site. The program is designed for young and old alike, providing an opportunity for our communities to share in exceptional events.

Concert – Exhibition – Educational activities – Guided tours – Participatory workshops and games

• 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. – at Balade-atelier with Agathe Haevermans

Learn to observe plants with a professional botanist. Divided into two parts, this activity begins by raising awareness of the richness of flora and its uses, through a guided walk in the company of Agathe Haevermans, naturalist and scientific illustrator at the Paris Natural History Museum.

• 12pm to 8pm – Voir la Forêt exhibition by students from the Paris School of Fine Arts

Invited to follow in the footsteps of their predecessors, the artists of the Ecole de Barbizon, young artists from the Ecole des Beaux Arts de Paris step out of the studio to confront this remarkable ecosystem, paying particular attention to the diversity of life that inhabits it and the transformations that run through it. In the Parc du Château de Fontainebleau, they present the fruit of an immersive residency in the forest of Fontainebleau.

• 2pm – Guided tour with Sophie David, Head of the ONF Environment Department

Sophie David offers a captivating exploration from the Château de Fontainebleau to discover how the landscape of the surrounding forest has evolved over the centuries. Between natural transformations and human intervention, this guided tour offers a unique look at the ecological, historical and aesthetic dynamics that have shaped this emblematic environment.

• 4 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 7 p.m. – Hyper Balades, immersive drawing experience, with Fabrice Cazenave

Artist Fabrice Cazenave offers an experience combining meditative flows and drawing practice, to reconnect with the energies of beings and places. In this guided meditation, the artist guides participants towards a state of full awareness, inviting them to let their inner feelings emerge on paper in the form of graphic signs.

• 5 to 6:30 p.m. – Forest Fresco, with Fibois

The Fresque de la Forêt (Forest Fresco) proposed by Fibois Île-de-France is an educational and participative tool that invites the public to explore the major issues linked to the Île-de-France forestry-wood industry, through a card game structured into several sections – quiz, services rendered, issues, solutions and actions.

• 7:30 pm – Concert by Emily Loiseau

To mark the Fête de la Musique and the summer solstice, singer-songwriter Emily Loizeau celebrates nature and the preservation of forests with a sensitive and committed concert. With her singular voice and profound lyrics, she builds bridges between French chanson, folk and world music.

• 9 to 10 pm – Discovering bats, nocturnal walk with Alexandre Butin

Come and meet the mysterious queens of the night in the company of Alexandre Butin, an enthusiastic chiropterologist and expert on the world of bats. During this walk at dusk, he’ll reveal the secrets of these fascinating mammals and their essential role in forest ecosystems.