I'm looking at going to Fontainebleau (it's true, the hardest thing about it is spelling it...) for two weeks in the European spring/autumn next year. I'm a total novice at the Euro trips so can anyone please give me advice on the following:

1) Which is best, spring or autumn?
2) Where do I stay in Font (meaning: cheap as possible)?
3) How much should I bargain on spending (excl. airline tickets) for two weeks on transport, food, camping,maybe a day or two sight seeing?
4)Do I take my own crashpad or buy/rent one there?
5) I can say Cheese Omelet, Peogeot and Eifel in French. Will this be enough to get me around?

Guy I know you had an article on Fontainebleau in one of the SAMountain mags a while back , but I seem to have lost that issue.

Any info would be appreciated!

Cheers!

Gotta love the internet.

http://www.samountainmag.com/back-issue ... icle_ID=50

1. Autumn tends to be better - but it is France...
2. Check article
3. Choose an amount - roughly the same as here
4. You can take your pad or buy one there - goto to www.bleau.info to check out the triple pads. The dude who makes them lives near Font.
5. I can parlay-vu about 5 words and it's been ok. It would be better if you can speak French. Let the Frenchies know you are from L'Afrique du Sud and not from England or the USA.

Have fun.

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There's no point being pessimistic, because it probably won't work

Thanks Guy, i appreciate it!

Camping is generally a very good option in font, the best place to stay (closer to the climbing areas) is milly la foret, also a really cool little town where as font is a big one.

eating out is expensive but nice! getting fresh bread and pastries is a cheap breakfast.

I recommend frachard cusiniere and 95.2 as really good areas. Give some circuits a go, great fun!

I have been there in summer and autumn, both area great but if its really hot you lose skin faster but then you should be used to the heat. I preferred it in summer, autumn can rain and then its not so nice!

I seriously recommend staying in a gite rather than camping. Camping in France is either basic or expensive (the campsite near Milly is very expensive).

Put it this way - you go climbing all day and get thoroughly rained on walking back to the car. Would you rather go home to a soggy tent or nice warm house???

Obviously if you are travelling alone, camping will be cheaper and it can be more flexible. Most gites can only be booked for a week (Sat to Sat), although there is a popular climbers gite in Milly that allows you to pay per person per night.

_________________
There's no point being pessimistic, because it probably won't work