“full of interesting & complex history”
The crumbling brick ruins of a sugar mill built in 1829 by Bernard de Marigny de Mandeville, founder of the nearby town of Mandeville, suggest an interesting history for this site, and indeed there is. The wealthy Marigny developed this area across Lake Pontchartrain from New Orleans as a sugar plantation until 1852. The plantation income helped support his lavish lifestyle. He named his large land holding Fontainebleau after the beautiful forest near Paris, a favorite recreation area of the French kings. The 2,800-acre park is located on the shore of Lake Pontchartrain. On a clear day, visitors can see the lake dotted with multi-colored sailboats of all sizes and types. The sandy beach also is a delight for sunbathers. An old railroad track that runs through the park has been converted into the Tammany Trace as a part of the Rails to Trails program. It is a wonderful route for cycling, hiking and in-line skating. After a full day of activities, overnight guests can enjoy the rustic charm of the campground or the scenic setting of the lakefront cabins. The park's nature trail is a favorite of nature lovers. Interpretive signs along the trail will help you identify many of the common trees and shrubs. Always be on the lookout for birds and other animals. Over 400 different species live in and around Fontainebleau. The Fontainebleau Birding Guide is a good resource for enthusiasts to identify the numerous species of birds found in the area. Bordered on three sides by water--Lake Pontchartrain, Bayou Cane and Bayou Castine--and characterized by a convergence of diverse ecosystems, it has a multitude of habitats for birds.
Reviews of Fontainebleau State Park
4 people have reviewed this location
Ratings Summary
Very nice state park. Well kept grounds. Natural beauty all around. Great hiking trails. A beach if you are looking to swim or catch a tan. we loved going for a ride at dusk to see all the deer roaming about.
Campsites have power (50 amp) and water only. No sewer connection in the south park. The dump station was well set up with running water to help flush. The bathhouse is well maintained so enjoy a warm shower.
Great park. Lots of history and great place for photos. Beyoncé Visual album "Lemonade" was filmed here. Wonderful place untouched by man.
Nice place to stop for the night or as a place to stay for a day trip to New Orleans.
Very nice state park. Facilities are kept very clean. Park was very quiet during the week. We enjoyed seeing the deer out grazing in the morning and evening hours. I highly recommend this park.
Lovely park for camping, picnic, or nice day trip. I had a large group of people staying in the group camp area, which was a great place to stay if you're looking for a nice retreat area.
Bonus info: Fontainebleau is supposedly one of the most haunted places in Louisiana. Our group had a couple strange "happenings" while there that matched up with some of the ghost stories, so if you're interested in the supernatural, put this place on your list.
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Fontainebleau State Park
Hours
- Sun - Thu: 7:00 am - 9:00 pm
- Fri, Sat: 7:00 am - 10:00 pm
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Parking
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Pets Allowed
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Restrooms
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Wifi
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Wheelchair Accessible
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Credit Cards Accepted
- Affiliation
- State park or forest
- Sites Count
- 163
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Sites
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Laundry
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Showers
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Fifty Amp
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Dump Station
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Water Hookup
Campground, Parking
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