Bonjour, mes amis!

This old gnome has been on the road again, this time trudging a 15.5km journey from Melun to Fontainebleau, France. Now, you might say, “Oliver, that’s just a stone’s throw away!” And you’d be right! But remember, I’m not your regular globe-trotter—I’m a garden gnome, and for us, every kilometer is an adventure.

The journey from Melun to Fontainebleau wasn’t just a change in scenery, but a step back in time. As I ambled along the banks of the Seine, I found myself captivated by the sight of the majestic Château de Fontainebleau. It’s a grand castle, fit for a king, because, well, it was the residence of French monarchs from Louis VII to Napoleon III. These days, you’re more likely to find tourists than royals, but the history, oh, the history is palpable.

You see, Fontainebleau isn’t just a place—it’s a symbol of the intricate and turbulent history of France. And to be honest, I felt a bit like a king myself, strutting around the palace gardens. As a local saying goes, “Qui n’a pas vu Fontainebleau, n’a rien vu“—”Who hasn’t seen Fontainebleau, hasn’t seen anything.”

On this 85-day journey, I’ve traveled 2288.2 kilometers, with recent stops in Créteil, Melun, and now, Fontainebleau. And while the language hasn’t changed since I’ve been hopping around France, the experiences and the lessons sure have.

You know, there’s a song that the locals here in Fontainebleau love to sing, “À la claire fontaine“. It’s a traditional French song, and a line that goes, “Il y a longtemps que je t’aime, jamais je ne t’oublierai“. This means “I’ve loved you for so long, I will never forget you.” And that’s how I feel about this journey—it’s a love affair with the world that I’ll never forget.

Keep wandering, keep wondering, and as always, keep laughing. Au revoir for now, and remember: the world is full of places to see, and even a garden gnome can find adventure.

À bientôt!

Bonjour from Fontainebleau! This city is a treasure trove of history and culture, with the famous Château de Fontainebleau at its heart. Once a royal residence, this grand château has played host to French monarchs from Louis VII to Napoleon III. As I strolled through its opulent halls, I could almost hear the echoes of Claude Debussy’s compositions, a testament to France’s rich musical heritage. “La musique est dans tout…un bouquet de fleurs, un lever de soleil, un ami.” (“Music is in everything…a bouquet of flowers, a sunrise, a friend.”) – Debussy.

Another feather in Fontainebleau’s cap is its forest, Forêt de Fontainebleau. An inspiration to numerous artists of the Barbizon school, it is a verdant paradise, a living painting that sparked the imaginations of greats like Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot. As the French say, “La vie est une grande aventure ou rien” (“Life is a great adventure or nothing”).

Fontainebleau, c’est magnifique!