The 'magical' European national park with hundreds of trails just 40 minutes outside popular city

If you're planning a romantic weekend in Paris, then this breathtaking forest trip is a must-add to your itinerary. Just a 40-minute train ride from the city of love, Fontainebleau Forest boasts hundreds of miles of walking trails and a stunning manor house ripe for exploration.

Fontainebleau is the only château to have been continuously inhabited by monarchs from the twelfth to the nineteenth century, earning it UNESCO World Heritage status since 1981. The château was given a complete makeover by Napoleon following the French Revolution, and today, visitors can explore his private apartments and a museum dedicated to the château's history.

If you've had your fill of the incredible architecture, art, and history within the château, the forest beckons. This sprawling 49,000-acre forest is one of France's largest, with miles of winding paths through woods dotted with climbable boulders and awe-inspiring views, making Fontainebleau Forest one of the country's most beautiful walks.

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With a five-star rating on TripAdvisor, this national park is stunning all year round, so there's no need to worry about timing your visit, reports . One visitor described the forest as the perfect place to "get lost in your thoughts".

"The forest is beautiful all throughout the year, whether you visit in winter, spring, summer or fall, it'll always have something to offer," they wrote on TripAdvisor.

The forest is a great spot for hikers and rock climbers will be in their element with plenty of boulders and rocks to tackle. "There are many boulders and rocks to climb and it's a great place for hiking as well. I recommend visiting for a pleasant walk through this magical forest."

Alternatively, horseback riding to and horse-drawn carriage rides are available. The forest is easily accessible from Paris, with regular trains from Gare de Lyon to Fontainebleau-Avon taking less than 40 minutes.