Fontainebleau bouldering guide: how to prepare your session
Fontainebleau is one of the most famous bouldering areas in the world. This guide covers the basics to prepare a first session, or organise the next one better: when to go, how to read the circuits, how to use a crashpad and how to respect the forest.
When to climb in Fontainebleau?
- Autumn, winter and early spring are generally the best periods: sandstone grips better when it is cool and dry.
- In summer, heat and humidity often make holds slippery. Aim for early morning, late afternoon or boulders in the shade.
- After rain, sandstone stays damp and more fragile: wait until it is completely dry before climbing, to protect the rock and the holds.
- Check the weather before you leave and stay flexible on your dates.
Understanding the circuits
- Boulders are often grouped into circuits marked by colours, each colour matching a difficulty level.
- The boulders of a circuit are numbered and identified by paint marks. A dedicated app helps you find them, for example Boolder (iOS and Android), Topo Bleau (iPhone and iPad) or fontNBleau (Android). The Bleau.info website also lists boulders and circuits.
- For a first visit, pick a circuit that suits your level: the sandstone style is particular and grades can be surprising, even after indoor climbing.
Using your crashpad well
- Place the crashpad under the expected landing zone, filling in dips and keeping rocks or roots out from between the pad and the boulder.
- On high boulders or uneven landings, use several crashpads side by side.
- A crashpad does not replace a spotter: ask someone to guide your fall.
- Clean your shoes before climbing: a dirty sole slips and damages the rock.
- Close the crashpad and adjust the straps before walking to the boulder.
What to bring
- Your climbing shoes, a reasonable amount of chalk and a brush to clean the holds.
- A crashpad (or several, depending on the boulders), available to rent if you do not have one.
- Water, food and clothes suited to the weather: you often walk between boulders.
- A topo or an app to find the circuits, and a charged phone.
Respecting the forest and the rock
- Stay on the paths as much as possible and do not trample the vegetation around the boulders.
- Leave no waste, even biodegradable, and take back everything you brought.
- Brush holds gently and keep unnecessary chalk to a minimum.
- The forest is a natural area used by many people: check the rules in force (access, parking, fires) before you come.
Safety and common sense
- Warm up before trying hard boulders and stop when you get tired.
- On a high boulder, do not climb alone: a spotter and several crashpads make all the difference.
- Know your limits: down-climbing is sometimes safer than jumping.
- In an emergency, call 112.
Rent a crashpad for your session
No crashpad? Rent ours: €12 per day, with delivery to where you climb from €5.
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