Associations In Fontainebleau

An important part of life in France is its cultural life and this has generated a large amount of really good association that you can join. For instance, in my family various members are part of the,

• Crossroads Association
• Judo Association
• Tennis Association

They are basically clubs and there are more than 700 of them in the Fontainebleau Region with 56 in Fontainebleau alone. A useful place to find the ones in your area is at the Pays de Fontainebleau website.

Normally though, people go to the Fête des Associations (Festival of Associations) where all the associations gather each year to sign up members. In September 2023 there were 150 associations represented in Fontainebleau’s festival.

Here, are just a few…

Boxing Form Fontainebleau

Since its establishment in 2003, the Boxing FORME Fontainebleau club has focused on “educational” boxing, where opponents do not seek to harm each other. Instead, they learn self-control and respect for one another. Touching through fluid movement and quick thinking without causing harm!

Catholic Family Association

The Association Familiale Catholique (Catholic Family Association) is part of the national confederation of AFCs. Its aim is to encourage mutual aid between Catholic families and to promote family-friendly policies at national and local level.

Crossroads

Crossroads is an international non-profit English speaking Association based in Fontainebleau that aims to help it’s members make connections and friendships.

Clubs

• Book Club
• Morning language exchanges
• Coffee mornings
• Needlework
• Crossroads Writers Club
• Playgroup
• Evening Drinks
• Spanglish
• Late Risers Language Exchange
• Toddlers and troops
• Monday morning walks
• Volunteering

Events

• Galette des Roi
• Welcome Back Drinks
• Saint Patrick’s Day
• Mushroom Hunt
• Easter egg hunt
• Le circuit de 25 bosses
• Family Bluebell Walk
• Dog walks
• Annual BBQ
• Halloween Party
• Gala
• Winter celebration
• Welcome Back Tea

Cycling Club Fontainebleau Avon

Road cycling: competitions and cycle sports.

Executives and Entrepreneurs Club 77

Established in 1993, Club des Cadres et Entrepreneurs 77 (Executives and Entrepreneurs Club 77) is an association that assists executives and similar professionals who are unemployed or undergoing career transition in their job search, as well as individuals starting their own businesses. To date, it has welcomed over 2000 individuals. The club welcomes any executive in search of employment, whether they are beginners or experienced.

Its goal is threefold:

1. Provide emotional support to break the isolation experienced by unemployed individuals.
2. Offer technical support through workshops where their tools and job search strategies are refined.
3. Provide an active network of over 800 alumni.

Support for members is provided by 20 volunteer professional facilitators.

Federation of Associations for the Protection of the Seine Valley

The Federation aims to bring together associations from the Southern Seine-et-Marnais region whose purpose is to safeguard the Seine Valley site in Seine-et-Marne, which is part of our national heritage. Its goal is to preserve or restore its natural character and protect it against urbanization, industrial and commercial installations, pollution, nuisances, and road infrastructure. It has authority over all the districts crossed by the Seine.

The Federation of Associations for the Protection of the Seine Valley in the Southern Seine-et-Marnais region consists of associations specializing in environmental protection.

FLC Fontainebleau

FLC manages many cultural, artistic and sporting resources, such as the theatre or the multimedia library. It offers holiday courses, festive meetings, shows and exhibitions, especially for children in nursery and elementary schools in the Fontainebleau region.

Clubs

• Adult Choir
• Italian
• Afro Dancehall
• Kids English Club
• Artistic Exploration
• Line Dancing
• Baby/Toddler Music
• Lounge Dance
• Bass Guitar
• Modern Jazz Dance
• Cartoon Drawing
• Modern Jazz Dance for beginners
• Chair Repairs
• Multimedia
• Children’s Choir
• Music Workshops
• Circuit Fit Cardio Training
• Outdoor drawing workshop
• Classical Dance
• Piano
• Computing
• Pilates
• Contemporary Dance
• Practice Studio
• Dance Initiation
• Relaxing Meditation
• Dancing in Heels
• Restorative Yoga
• Drums
• Rock n Roll Dance
• English Conversation
• Singing Together
• Explorative Dance
• Street Dance
• Fit and Ballet
• Street Girly Dance
• French as a Foreign Language
• Stretching
• Group Singing
• Sweet Gym
• Guitar
• Teens English Club
• Gym Tonic
• Violin
• Hatha Yoga
• Wine Tasting
• Hip Hop Dance
• Writing Workshop
• Individual Singing

Fontainebleau Heritage

The Association’s objectives are:

• The protection and enhancement of cultural heritage as well as elements of the public domain (such as: Villa Lavaurs, the Library, …).
• The protection and enhancement of the environment and living environment.
• Improving public services within the framework of harmonious territorial planning.

Fontainebleau Horse

Fontainebleau Cheval (Fontainebleau Horse) is an association that brings together both professionals and enthusiasts from the equestrian sector, aiming to promote the horse in all its aspects across the entire Fontainebleau urban area.

Fontainebleau-Avon Swimmers Club

The Cercle des nageurs de Fontainebleau-Avon (Fontainebleau-Avon Swimmers Club) (CNFA) is a swimming club connected with the FFN (French Swimming Federation). CNFA teaches swimming to a wide range of people through several activities:

• Swimming school for young children (ages 6/7 to 12): learning and improving swimming strokes.
• Advanced classes (from age 12): refining skills in all four strokes.
• Master group: adult group focused on improving performance in all four strokes.
• Pre-competition group for young swimmers: further skill improvement in all four strokes, preparing swimmers to join a competitive group.
• Competitive groups: Beginners, Juniors, and Masters. Swimmers join these groups based on coach assessment and their own motivation.

Fontainebleau Region Athletics

The Pays de Fontainebleau Athlétisme (Fontainebleau Region Athletics) offers its members various training sessions starting from 5 years old (baby athletics) supervised by certified coaches. All athletics disciplines are available and adapted to all levels of practice.

With quality sports facilities that allow the exploration of all athletics disciplines (running, jumping, pole vault, and throwing), our members have a diverse choice of practices for both leisure and competition.

Fontainebleau Yachting Club

They will be delighted to welcome you to discover and share their passion for sailing… See you at the YCPF clubhouse at the Valvins port (open every Sunday from 10:00 am). You will have a wide choice among their dinghies, keelboats, kayaks, canoes, or yachts.

French Federation of Mountaineering and Climbing

Just steps away from the legendary boulders of the Fontainebleau forest, Karma is the first federally-certified climbing gym open to everyone. You can practice bouldering and roped climbing there. Quality, enjoyment, and safety are the key words of the gym.

Climbing is a sport for everyone, regardless of your level, starting from the age of 4! Our gym includes:

• A 12-meter climbing wall with 34 routes ranging from level 4 to 9a.
• 4 automatic belay devices.
• Bouldering area for all levels.
• Baby climbing area.
• France Pole area.
• And many training tools (Campus board, beam, etc.).

The gym is open every day for open practice (self-guided), but we also offer group classes (from children to adults, beginner to expert) from September to June. Additionally, we offer holiday camps specifically for children (from 4 to 14 years old) during school breaks, and private lessons throughout the year upon request (in the gym and also in the Fontainebleau forest).

Friendly Football Fontainebleau

This association aims to play and teach football to all female members of the clubs forming the group, as listed in the internal regulations. The teams participating in competitions organized by the departmental or regional football authorities are exclusively female.

Friends of the Fontainebleau Forest Association

The Amis de la Forêt (Friends of the Fontainebleau Forest Association) aims to help keep the plants, animals, scenic sites, and historic monuments in the Fontainebleau Forest safe and protected.

Friends of the castle of Fontainebleau

The Amis du Château de Fontainebleau (Friends of the castle of Fontainebleau) is an association with more than 1100 members.

Purposes

• To better promote the castle, its gardens, and its park through its activities and publications.
• To contribute to the influence and conservation of this exceptional historical and artistic heritage by relying on patronage.
• To contribute to knowledge transmission for young audiences through the Educational Site and our activities.

Benefits

• Free entry to the Castle all year round.
• Access to temporary exhibitions organized there.
• Periodic information on museum activities and association events.
• Various conferences, trips, and privileged visits led by specialists.
• A 5% discount at the castle’s shop by presenting your membership card.
• Reduced rates for concerts by American art schools.

Kunpukan dôjô

The Way of the Saber is based on right action, compassion, courtesy, sincerity, respect, and loyalty of the heart.

Ladies Games

Jeux de Dames (Ladies Games) is an association that supports women artists, mainly from Seine et Marne. The uniqueness of Jeux de Dames is its focus on feminine art. It offers temporary exhibits for everyone to see, on the street, during specific events such as International Women’s Day, with unexpected exhibitions in unique locations like hotels and living spaces in Fontainebleau, Manoir de Ferchaud de Réaumur near Puy du Fou, in the city center of Melun, and unique artistic performances.

Jeux de Dames has also become an “artists’ family,” a network among these women artists, a dynamic association, the joy of being together and sharing a project to build. The generosity of each, the kindness, and the understanding form the foundation of this collaboration.

Mediators 77

MEDIATEURS 77 is a non-profit association established in October 2010 by certified family mediators who have been practicing family mediation since 2003 in other organizations.

Our team also includes professionals specializing in legal (jurists and former lawyers) and social (child protection) fields.

MEDIATEURS 77 is accredited by the Caisse d’Allocations Familiales, the Paris Court of Appeal, the MSA, the Departmental Center for Access to Law (CDAD), and supported by some municipalities.

MEDIATEURS 77 is a member of the FENAMEF (National Federation of Family Mediation) and the APMF (Association for Family Mediation).

The mediators have committed to adhere to the Code of Ethics and the Family Mediation Charter.

Motard Seine et Loing

Motard is a motorcycle association that organizes motorcycle rides, road-trips and other events.

Musical Union of Fontainebleau

Established in 1881 and still active today, the musicians who are members of Union Musicale de Fontainebleau (UMF) are all volunteer amateurs. Their repertoire intentionally spans a wide range, including classical music, jazz, and film scores. They organize several concerts each season and participate in various events. Some highlights at the municipal theater include the New Year’s Concert, the Film Music Concert, the bicentenary of Napoleon’s Farewells, and the 55th anniversary of the twinning of the city of Fontainebleau.

Naphralyetp Theater Company

The Naphralyetp Theater Company presents children’s shows, comedies, and theatrical performances.

It is resident at the Vert Théâtre in Fontainebleau. This enables it to produce multiple shows and cultivate local acting talent. It also has annual collaborations with other theater companies.

National Tree Monitoring Group

The Groupe National de Surveillance des Arbres (National Tree Monitoring Group) is a group created in 2019 by Thomas Brail, an arborist-climber, in response to planned tree removals in projects that wrongly eliminate existing trees, despite being protected for various reasons, especially by Article L350-3 of the Environmental Code, aimed at protecting tree rows and alignments.

The GNSA association aims to alert, monitor, engage in dialogue, and take action in contentious situations.

Its members work to disseminate the necessary information for any tree preservation action.

Naturalist Association of the Loing Valley and the Fontainebleau Massif

Established in 1913, the Association Naturaliste de la Vallée du Loing et du massif de Fontainebleau (ANVL) aims to promote an interest in and study of natural sciences and contribute to the expansion of scientific knowledge through the observations and research of its members within its study area.

With a study area covering the Fontainebleau Massif, the Bassée, and the Loing Valley, the ANVL has naturally engaged in projects to better understand its territory.

In addition to its research missions and regular monitoring activities, the association has been committed for many years to conducting environmental education and awareness-raising initiatives, both for professionals and the general public. Recognized for its scientific expertise and know-how, the ANVL prepares protection dossiers and intervenes in the management, restoration, re-naturalization, and even the creation of habitats favorable to biodiversity.

Through these actions and its historical presence, the association is now a recognized actor in its territory. This status gives it legitimacy to participate in various commissions and to provide advice and expertise to local authorities, public institutions, or businesses to promote nature conservation.

As a founding member of the World Union for Nature, the ANVL is hosted within the Fontainebleau-Avon forest ecology station, which is affiliated with Paris 7 Denis-Diderot University.

New Stages of the Green Donkey

The Nouveaux Tréteaux de l’Âne Vert (New Stages of the Green Donkey) (NTAV) offer theater workshops for adults and children, benefiting from the expertise of professional artists who are also members of the professional company NAPHRALYTEP. The New Stages of the Green Donkey also host a troupe of amateur actors who perform in theaters and festivals in the region.

Pick-Up the group

This association aims to transmit and foster a love for music originating from blues, rock and roll, rhythm and blues, funk, and jazz. This is achieved through various actions:

• Communication, information, education.
• Demonstrations or concerts showcasing these music styles.
• Participation in concerts for humanitarian associations or upon request.

Podium

The Podium Association helps athletes in various aspects of their lives. They provide support not only in sports but also in their careers and academic pursuits. Whether it’s offering guidance on training techniques, assisting with job opportunities, or aiding in academic endeavors, the association is dedicated to helping athletes thrive both on and off the field. Through their efforts, they aim to empower athletes to reach their full potential and achieve success in all aspects of their lives.

Praise the Lord Together

Jean-Jacques Prévost, founded it in 1974. Over almost 50 years, ELD has opened up to everyone, transitioning towards a repertoire of cantatas, masses, and oratorios with soloists and orchestra.

The Ensemble Laudate Dominum (Praise the Lord Together) has collaborated for a decade with the musicians of Lycée François 1er of Fontainebleau, where Jean-Jacques Prévost taught music (particularly in the Music Letters section) until 2007.

Some of his former students still participate in the orchestra at public concerts.

It’s also a place of friendship and sharing, where everyone is aware of participating in the protection of the musical artistic heritage through the interpretation of famous and lesser-known works, including sacred music.

Racing Club of Fontainebleau

The Racing Club Du Pays de Fontainebleau allows people (boys or girls) to play football from the age of 5. Partnered with AJ Auxerre, the club has been awarded the “espoir” label for its quality training. All our teams are coached by coaches certified by the French Football Federation (FFF) or in training for younger players because the club also trains its coaches.

The RCPF is one of the four clubs in Seine-et-Marne, and the only one in the southern part of the department to have all its youth teams from ages 12 to 18 at the regional level.

The football school, well-known in the region, welcomes girls and boys from 5 to 12 years old. Girls over 12 can also play with the Women’s Alliance of Pays de Fontainebleau, which includes RCPF along with the clubs of Hericy-Samoreau-Vulaines, Moret-Veneux, and Avon. Recreational football is also available within the club.

RCPF is also looking for volunteers willing to get involved in the association.

Rugby South 77

The Rugby Sud 77 club was created in 2000 through the merger of the Fontainebleau (1913) and Champagne sur Seine (1904) clubs under the sponsorship of Christophe Juillet, former member of the French XV and captain of Stade Français.

The club currently has 330 members and 60 volunteers. The first team currently competes in the Regional 2 territorial championship after a brilliant season last year that led it to the title of IDF 1st Series champion. Our Cadets and Juniors competition sections also compete in Regional 2 and are positioned at the top of the tables. Accredited with 1 star by the FFR, the Rugby School attracts more and more young players, some of whom join the ranks of French rugby talents and referees of this sport.

Women’s rugby is also honored in the club; the 10-a-side Women’s Leisure team remains the only team in the department with a current roster of 35 players. In 2023, the club structured its bodies and strengthened its Board of Directors to enhance the training of its volunteers, maintain the achievement of sports results, ensure the spirit and values of our sport, and strengthen our presence within the community.

Strong and proud of its values and sport, RS77 continues to recruit young and old alike, all driven by the same passion: rugby!

Society for the Protection of the Forest of Fontainebleau and the Seine Valley

The Société de Sauvegarde de la Forêt de Fontainebleau et de la Vallée de la Seine (Society for the Protection of the Forest of Fontainebleau and the Seine Valley) objectives are:

a) The defense of the Fontainebleau forest and the Trois Pignons against land encroachments and clearcutting, promoting an adequate protection status and forestry methods respectful of landscapes, traditional activities, and biodiversity.

b) The safeguarding of the Seine Valley site in all the districts crossed by the river in the southern Seine-et-Marne.

c) Monitoring urban planning decisions, development, and road operations that have an unfavorable impact on the environment, cultural heritage, or aesthetics.

d) More generally, the protection and enhancement of the environment and living environment. In this context, the Association will ensure the public is well informed about the choices and alternatives in the areas covered by its objectives, through various means including bulletins and a website.

Similarly, the Association is authorized to make any proposal and legal recourse before any jurisdiction concerning the following documents, as long as they have even a limited impact on the territory of the municipalities within its geographical jurisdiction:

• Local urban development plans, or equivalent documents.
• Territorial coherence schemes, or equivalent documents.
• Master plan for the Ile-de-France region.
• Urban mobility plans for the Ile-de-France region.
• Local mobility plans.
• Forest development plans.
• Execution acts and authorizations issued based on the preceding documents.
• Inscriptions and classifications of historical monuments.
• Generally, any official document directly or indirectly impacting the objectives mentioned above.

The Association has jurisdiction in the municipalities covered by the Fontainebleau and Trois Pignons state forests, neighboring municipalities, as well as for all geographical areas covered by the documents mentioned above. Assistance to members and a cooperative may be developed.

Sport and Art Club of CNSD

With its 750 members, we offer 12 sports activities and 4 cultural activities.

As a member of the Defense Clubs Federation, we rely on numerous volunteers. They are the backbone of our association, working passionately to ensure the club runs smoothly.

• Beekeeping
• Drawing
• Watercolor painting
• Athletics
• Badminton
• English boxing
• Orienteering
• Creative arts
• Horse riding
• Krav Maga
• Hiking
• Kick Boxing
• Painting on Porcelain
• Pentathlon Modern
• Diving
• Culture excursions
• Systema
• Taekwondo

Studio Bellifontain Line Dance

Studio Bellifontain offers line dancing classes at the Gymnase Martinel.

Table Tennis Club

The Fontainebleau table tennis club offers players of all levels the chance to develop their concentration, motor skills and coordination through this sport.

Tennis Club Fontainebleau

They offer a comprehensive educational program that caters to the needs of both youth and adults, whether for leisure or competition.

Their leadership team, consisting of 12 volunteers, guides the TCF. They are the driving force behind the club’s development, meeting monthly to review operations and suggest improvements.

Main priorities:

• Providing quality training for young players (Galaxie Tennis, Teen Tennis).
• Offering educational programs that meet the needs of various groups (youth, adults, leisure, competition).
• Ensuring top-notch facilities and organization to meet our members’ needs.
• Hosting activities and events to promote camaraderie and club life.
• Developing our senior teams by training young players, competing at the highest national level, and achieving significant individual results.

Club facilities:

• 1 outdoor clay court
• 4 indoor resin courts
• 2 heated indoor clay courts
• 4 outdoor resin courts
• 1 clubhouse
• 1 training wall
• Changing rooms for women and men
• 1 vending machine (accepts cash or card payment): beverages, snacks, tennis ball tubes, grips, and dampeners.

Thémanéo Association

The Thémanéo association offers you a path to feeling good through activities like:

• Qi Gong
• Meditation
• Chinese Painting
• Calligraphy, etc.

Tri-adventure Fontainebleau

The association, “Tri-Aventure,” offers a variety of sports activities such as Nordic walking, trail running, adventure racing, triathlon, Masters swimming, and open water swimming. These activities attract members with different sports and personal goals who are determined to achieve them through outdoor sports, especially since our outings take place in the Fontainebleau forest.

The club’s goal is to allow each member to “flourish” in sports, regardless of their level, whether they are beginners or experienced athletes, by encouraging them to practice their sport in a collective setting. This collective environment should also promote learning the value of effort, pushing oneself beyond limits, and striving for excellence within a club that prioritizes friendliness, sharing, and mutual assistance.

The expected results are individual-based, whether in competition or not, for both adults and children.

Furthermore, the magical setting of the Fontainebleau forest allows us to learn about and respect the natural environment in which we operate.

Triathalon Club of Fontainebleau

The association’s purpose is to promote chained sports (Triathlon, Duathlon, Aquathlon, Swim Run…). Triathlon has always advocated human and collective values that we find in both the participant and in society:

• Friendliness
• Unity
• Team spirit and mutual aid
• Simplicity
• Self-improvement
• Fair play
• But above all, FUN

The project aims to introduce young people to chained sports (triathlon, duathlon, aquathlon…). We need to provide age-appropriate teaching methods and consider the participants’ sporting backgrounds to develop as many qualities as possible related to triathlon practice while respecting children’s sensitive developmental periods.

Today, some children start with triathlon as their first sport. Therefore, we must be very careful in our educational approach to offer constructive sessions and enable children to develop a wide range of sporting qualities.

United Protestant Church of Fontainebleau Association

The Eglise Protestante Unie de Fontainebleau (United Protestant Church of Fontainebleau Association) exists to repair and upgrade the Protestant Temple of Fontainebleau. A doubly important mission as it is not only the place of worship for Protestants from Nemours, Montreau and Fontainebleau but also Fontainebleau was the place where the Edict of Nantes was revoked by Louis XIV leading to protestants being persecuted anew.

Vol En bleau

Based in the Lucien Martinel Gymnasium, Vol en Bleau (literally flight in blue) is Fontainbleau’s Badminton association. Its purpose is association is the practice of physical education and sports, particularly badminton and shuttlecock.

Volunteer Blood Donation Association of Fontainebleau-Avon and Surrounding Areas

The Association pour le Don de Sang Bénévole Fontainebleau-Avon et environs (Volunteer Blood Donation Association of Fontainebleau-Avon and Surrounding Areas) participates in the promotion of blood donation (display, distribution of flyers), the recruitment of new donors and the organisation of the collections, in direct connection with the French blood establishment (EFS). It operates on 5 communes: Fontainebleau, Avon, Héricy, Bois-le-Roi and Champagne s/Seine.

Welcome to French Cities Fontainebleau Avon

Accueil des Villes Françaises Fontainebleau Avon (Welcome to French Cities Fontainebleau Avon) welcomes newcomers and young retirees and those who are changing cities or lifestyles. It introduces them to the quality of life in the Fontainebleau area. Members of the association, all volunteers, work together to make the adjustment easier for new arrivals by offering a variety of activities that will help them integrate, make new connections, and create friendships. Activities include billiards, bridge, tarot, needlework, painting on porcelain, forest walks on foot and by bike, exhibitions in Paris or elsewhere, and exploring Fontainebleau and its surroundings.

Zero Waste Fontainebleau Avon

The Zero Waste Fontainebleau Avon association was born in June 2019 from the desire of a group of people wanting to exchange their good practices of Zero Waste, zero waste, and share them with as many people as possible.