Imagine a train. Not a high-speed train or a crowded commuter train during rush hour. It's a little, shy suburban train that seems like just another way to get around, but it actually hides a beautiful escape to a green paradise. Destination: Fontainebleau, but not just anywhere. A hidden spot right in the forest, with no station or ticket booth. Just raw, inviting nature waiting for you. It's the perfect getaway for a nature weekend without a car, less than an hour from Paris, within Navigo pass range.
A secret stop in the heart of nature
The name of this hidden gem for a nature weekend? The stop at Bois-le-Roi – wild version, just a heads up. Nestled between Fontainebleau and Melun, this tiny station (sometimes forgotten on the maps, as if it doesn’t want to be found) reminds one of the magical stops from films that transport you to another world.Miyazaki. Here, there are no cities on the horizon, no engine noises. You step off the train… and you’re in the forest. The real one. The one where silence is thick, the pines are majestic, and the paths look hand-drawn.
How to find this mysterious forest stop
The train in question for this mysterious stroll in Île-de-France is the Transilien R (yes, the one that can take you all the way to Montargis if you're not careful). Some of its routes – at specific times – stop right in the heart of the woods, away from tourist paths. To enjoy this, you’ll need to rise early, snoop around the schedules like a detective, and most importantly, be ready to step off the beaten path. Just 45 minutes from Paris, it’s a true haven of peace!
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What you can do once you're there
Here, there’s no coffee shop, no juice bar, no background music. Just you, the forest, and a few birds that don't ask anything of you. You move forward, you breathe, you reconnect. Maybe you'll spot a squirrel, or a lonely hiker in search of mushrooms. Maybe nothing at all, and that will be just as perfect !
For a breath of fresh air within reach of the Navigo pass :
Bois-le-Roi – Fontainebleau Forest
Take the Transilien R from Gare de Lyon, heading towards Montargis or Montereau
Some trains on weekends stop right in the middle of the forest – be sure to check the schedule.