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Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte

Route de Maincy, Melun, Île-de-France

Description

The château de Vaux-le-Vicomte was built in the mid-XVII century for Louis Fouquet, in charge of the government budget under the King Louis XIV. It is considered one of the masterpieces of classic architecture and was used as a model for the Château de Versailles - in fact the same team was used: Le Brun (paintings), Le Notre (gardens), Le Vau (architect) and Villedo (builder). The estate consists of the main chateau with 4 pavilions (2 on either side) and gardens in the traditional French style that are up to 1500m in length and 200-250 wide. On Saturday evening, from May to early October, "candlelit evenings" are held and from mid-Nov to end of December special lighting is deployed.

Access & Transport

The estate is located in Mancy, close to Melun, 50km to the southeast of Paris. By car, take the A4 or A6 motorway, then follow signs to Troyes via the motorway A5. The nearest motorway exit to the Château is Exit No.15 signposted to Saint Germain Laxis. By train from downtown Paris, take the RER D or the R Line from Gare de Lyon until Melun and then catch a taxi/private transport for the last 8kms. The Paris CityVision bus operator also proposes shuttles leaving from near Le Louvre in the 1st Arr. (2 rue des Pyramides) Accessibility info: https://vaux-le-vicomte.com/en/access-for-disabled-persons/

Instructions & Recommendations

We suggest combining a visit there with a walk and discovery of the Fontainebleau Forest and / or the village of Barbizon. The château de Fontainebleau is also nearby but that is a little bit too much of glorious estates in one single day in our book.

Meta review

The chateau is very well known in France but less so internationally as Versailles tend to steal the show on travellers' bucket list. Online reviews are extremely positive with visitors highlighting the gorgeous and spacious gardens, the excellent audio-guide telling the life of Fouquet (including his downfall), the small museum with carriages from the period and the comparatively lack of crowd Vs Versailles. In fact, both chateaux are often compared by reviewers and for many Vaux-le-Vicomte is a worthy alternative, although not everybody agrees and some state that Versailles is "next level".

Environmental & Social

We have no data on the energy consumption required to operate the palace, but the gardens are environmentally friendly. The activity has a positive social impact, not only does it preserve the country's cultural and architectural heritage, but it employs directly between 50 and 100 people.

Conclusion

The Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte is with Fontainebleau and Versailles the most impressive example of its kind in the Ile de France Region. The latter is more spectacular but also more expensive and crowded so this is a close second in our opinion and it is also much more manageable in scale. We have not noted any significant flaws so, if you have the time and don't mind the logistics, it is a worthy day trip from Paris which can be combined with other sights in that area.

Key positive

Beautiful gardens

Doesn't feel too crowded

Special events in winter and on Saturdays in spring and summer

Key negative

A little expensive for children / families

Suitability

Only partially accessible for visitors with reduced mobility: no lift to floors in the chateau and no asphalted path in the gardens.

About this Rating

TYPE

Desktop

RESEARCHED IN

May 2024

PROVIDER

Koreval

Included Items
None
Timing
Duration of visit
'Candlelit Evenings' on Saturdays (May to early Oct): 14h-23h. Last admission is at 17h30

av. transport time:1h

est. visit time:4h

Regulated hours

Start of Season 1:Mar, 16

Season 1

MONDAY10:00 - 19:00

TUESDAY10:00 - 19:00

WEDNESDAY10:00 - 19:30

THURSDAY10:00 - 19:30

FRIDAY10:00 - 19:30

SATURDAY11:00 - 19:00

SUNDAY11:00 - 19:30

Start of Season 2:Nov, 01

Season 2

MONDAY -

TUESDAY -

WEDNESDAY -

THURSDAY -

FRIDAY -

SATURDAY -

SUNDAY -

Pricing
Age band
Age band
Regular price / pers.
Senior
65 - 99
€17
Adult
18 - 64
€17
Child
6 - 17
€13.5
Infant
0 - 5
€0
13.50€ for students. Candlelights Evenings is 22/17.5€

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