Vaux-le-Vicomte

out in the middle of the countryside in Maincy, off the N36 and D215 east of Melun.
Fontainebleau
Paris
France
01 64 14 41 90

http://www.vaux-le-vicomte.com

Type: Historical Interest
Addmission Fee: Entrance is Euro 12, Euro 9.50 for kids under 16, free for kids under six

Comments ( 0 )
Rating (0 Votes)

The sprawling Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte has a bittersweet place in Ile-deFrance’s history. The Lord High Treasurer, Nicolas Fouquet, had it built in 1653 to show how successful he was, hiring the “dream team” of the period: architect Louis Le Vau, garden designer André Le Nôtre, and painter Charles Le Brun. It was the building masterpiece of the 17th century, and made many of Fouquet’s contemporaries very jealous. Days after the Sun King, Louis XIV, attended a spectacular party at Vaux-le-Vicomte, complete with fireworks and entertainment by Molière, Fouquet was arrested by d’Artagnan and imprisoned for life (on falsified evidence given by the minister Colbert). The king then had Le Nôtre, Le Brun and Le Vau build him a bigger and more spectacular version of Vaux-le-Vicomte – at Versailles. Vaux-le-Vicomte has changed hands many times over the centuries, but still remains a privately owned château. Be sure to ask for the free discovery guide for children. No baby strollers are allowed inside. There is a small, but very nice bookshop in the château, and a larger gift shop you have to pass through on your way out of the property (souvenirs include Vaux-le-Vicomte jams and copies of prints displayed in the château). Guests visit the château independently, following a set itinerary to avoid getting lost. Start off with a walk through the old stables, now a museum of horse-drawn carriages brought to life with wax-figure horses and passengers. At the main entrance to the château visitors can pick up audio guides for Euro 1.50 and books in different languages about the château. Similar to the Château de Fontainebleau, Vaux-le-Vicomte is furnished and finely decorated with statues, tapestries and paintings, with mood lighting and Renaissance-style music piped in for added atmosphere. If you’re confused by the “King’s Room,” don’t worry – the king never lived here, but had his own private quarters when he visited. Halfway through the tour you have the option of visiting the dôme for another Euro 2 (no children under 10), where you get a anoramic view over the château’s grounds. the 70 acres of gardens, although slightly altered from Le Nôtre’s time, still retain many of his clever tricks of perspective. Stroll the different parterres, or sections, and notice how things seem closer than they really are as you walk toward the grottos. On a clear day, standing at the far side south) of the Grand Miroir Carré, you can see the château reflected in the water, even hough it’s just over 1,300 feet away. If you aren’t up for the 30-minute walk from one end of the garden to the other, you can rent electric golf carts (Club Cars) for up to four people, Euro 13 for 45 minutes (only for licensed drivers at least 18 years old). Gadget-lovers can rent the GPS guide, which not only directs you to all of the good spots, but also provides commentary in nglish (Euro 20 on top of the Club Car rental).