By using in situ polar Kerr effect measurements on stepped wedge samples, we have investigated experimentally the magnetic anisotropy at room temperature of a bcc Fe(110) ultrathin film on Au(111), during the first stages of the deposition of an Au overlayer. We observe a maximum in the perpendicular anisotropy around 1 AL of Au coverage, in surprising similarity with previous observations on Co ultrathin films. We have then measured the interlayer exchange coupling through Au(lll) on Au/Fe/Au/Co/Au(111) trilayers. We find evidence for oscillating coupling, with about the same period as in Co/Au(111)/Co structures, but a very different phase.