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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Grand Maître table is a monument located in the forest of Fontainebleau, on the territory of the municipality of the same name, in Île-de-France. Established in 1723 on the initiative of M. de la Faurere, Grand Master of the waters and forests of the region, it was originally used as a resting place for hunting crews. Its 2.3-metre-long sandstone plateau was designed to accommodate outdoor meals, like the King's table located further north in the same forest.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the table became an emblematic place for local sports competitions, notably as a point of arrival of the French cyclocross championships, whose start was at the King's table. In 1950, it was moved from its original location, without the sources specifying the exact reason for this change. Its inscription in the historic monuments in 1926, including the surrounding pillars, bears witness to its heritage importance.

The structure of the table consists of a single sandstone top, measuring 2.3 meters long, 1.33 meters wide and 24 centimetres thick. This monument, owned by the State, illustrates the development of royal and then national forests for both cynegetic and recreational uses. Its history also reflects the evolution of social practices, moving from aristocratic use to a sport and tourism function in the 20th century.

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