Where to Boulder Near Recloses: Our Finest Spots

 


Bouldering in the forest of Fontainebleau begins right on our doorstep. Recloses affords an admirable springboard for it: the <strong>GR11</strong> (Grand Tour de Paris) threads directly through our village, and several of the forest’s most storied sectors lie a mere few minutes away.

Recloses affords an admirable springboard for bouldering: the GR13 (Grand Tour de Paris) threads directly through our village, and several of the forest’s most storied sectors lie a mere few minutes away.

As at 4 September 2026, some ninety per cent of the forest has reopened following the summer’s fires. The Trois Pignons (West) sector and Roche aux Sabots remain out of bounds. Do consult bleau.info for the day’s status before setting out.

Quite Literally on Our Doorstep

On the far side of the village lies Recloses – Chemin des crêtes, a range of problems beginning at a most approachable font 3 (listed as the “Fontainebleau Sud” sector on bleau.info).

Close at hand, too, is the Dame Jouanne site — arguably the most celebrated in the region — offering problems from font 1 through to font 8. Alongside it stands L’Éléphant, every bit as versatile (from 2- upwards). Both fall within the “Larchant” sector on bleau.info. For our full article on the subject, do click here.

Other Great Classics, Presently Open

  • Franchard Isatis: among the most popular and expansive of sites, offering an immense variety of boulders and technical circuits for every level.
  • Bas Cuvier & Cuvier Rempart: the historic heart of bouldering at Bleau, home to such storied routes as La Marie Rose (6A), and to demanding sandstone boulders steeped in history.
  • Gorges d’Apremont: near Barbizon, a wealth of circuits nestled among spectacular rock formations, well suited to a broad range of abilities.

An interactive map of the sites may be found at: ClimbingAway
We would also recommend consulting the website of the ONF (the French national forestry authority) to confirm which paths remain accessible: https://www.onf.fr

Equipment Hire

An Indoor and Outdoor Climbing Wall

Karma Fontainebleau – a climbing centre in Fontainebleau, offering courses, private tuition, or a simple day pass, Route Militaire 77300 Fontainebleau – 01 64 23 19 31 – https://karma-escalade.fr/fontainebleau
The centre boasts 430 m² of indoor bouldering together with a 12-metre roped wall, making it a most agreeable refuge should the weather turn. There is, besides, a wall designed expressly for the youngest climbers, the Espace Baby.

Sessions and Courses

For the Curious Reader

For a comprehensive account of every site: bleau.info. The definitive guidebook is Fun Bloc: Fontainebleau Bloc-Bouldering by David Atchison-Jones (available on Amazon).

For our English-speaking guests, these are also worth a look:

UKC’s Destination Guide to Fontainebleau

theCrag’s Fontainebleau database

and, for the Dutch, the NKBV’s guide to Klimgebied Fontainebleau

At the house, we keep both the local trail map and a guidebook devoted to the sites and boulders. You are most welcome to borrow either during your stay.