Having been to Versailles a few times I thought we'd try going to Fontainbleu. How do we get there from Paris? How much time would you allot to see things?

You can take a train from Gare de Lyon then a bus to the chateau...you can buy a combined bus,train cahteau visit ticket at the station or sncf boutiques

Take a regular train (not avail via RER) to Fontainebleau (Avon). In front of the train station is a bus stop - you want the A/B bus for the Chateau. It will stop across the street directly in front of the chateau. You pick it up at the same stop to return to the train station.
The train ride is about an hour, roughly. You need about 2 hrs. to walk through the chateau interior and stroll around the gardens in back. The grounds are also lovely if you cross behind the chateau and curve around the side to return to the front lawn.
You could allow another hour or so to walk around the immediate town center, it's a nice area.
I don't remember the cost factors of anything but nothing is real expensive, and it's a nice day trip. I would say the bus runs 2-3 times an hour.

Hi , I agree 100% with Troublenut, we did exactly that.

For lunch, we asked a local and she sent us to great place on a second floor. Not seen from the street. I wonder if it is still there. ..so ask the locals...

Shoot, I wish I'd thought of the aka of "Troublenut"! It probably fits even better than the name I'm using...

is there a guided tour at the chateau? i was debating trying this solo or taking a tour through cityrama or grayline. i will be by myself..its not my first time to Paris. any suggestions? thanks beth

I'm interested in finding out as well about a tour at Fontainebleu, although we'll probably just go by train on our own. How about Malmaison or St. Germain en Laye? They sound just as interesting.

Not sure about a guided tour, I remember we did use the Audio Guides and they were great!