Fontainebleau Climbs (3rd)

The forest of Fontainebleau in northern France is the most famous bouldering area in the world. Thousands of sandstone boulders lie scattered over an area of 1,200 square kilometres of pine, beech and oak forest. The climbing style is addictive, a subtle mixture of body positioning, footwork and power that is as demanding mentally as it is physically.

There are problems at every grade imaginable, from the easiest of circuits to world-class test pieces. Many of these problems are grouped into the circuits for which Font is famous. Marked with coloured dots and arrows, they offer the climber a unique way in which to explore each climbing area.

Fontainebleau Climbs - The finest bouldering and circuits, written by local climbers Jo and Francoise Montchausse and Jacky Godoffe, is the perfect way to discover and enjoy these circuits. With descriptions of the areas and the circuits and grades found in each, this easy-to-use guide is full of useful and practical advice, tips on where to go after rain or in hot weather, on accommodation and on child-friendly areas. Easy to read, full-colour maps show the starting point, layout and key boulders for each circuit.

There are over 100 maps, just under 100 circuits and more than 3,000 boulder problems, together with stories and anecdotes on the famed history of Fontainebleau climbing.