La Folie Barbizon

On the edge of the Forest of Fontainebleau, Lionel Bensemoun, decided to open La Folie Barbizon, an artists’ residence and hotel. After experience at Parisian hotspots such as Le Baron, La Mano and Nanashi, the entrepreneur wanted to share his artistic and environmental values in this hybrid location mixing nature and culture.

With around twenty rooms decorated with secondhand furniture and pieces designed by artists, this large 18th-century country house welcomes you throughout the year for a unique experience.

Unconventional and all about the experience, La Folie Barbizon invites you to interact with its artists in residence. Musicians, painters and sculptors will share their passion with you at painting, pottery and cookery workshops. And to go further still, join one of the yoga classes to focus on what really matters, or attend a talk on the environment led by writers or NGOs. What better way to mix pleasure with purpose?

The hotel’s other major selling point is its restaurant serving up delicious local, seasonal, organic, vegetarian cuisine, run by a resident chef and open to the public.