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Vaux le Vicomte is one of France’s more beautiful and most historic chateaux. In recent years, the estate has introduced new programs, events and attractions to provide a totally immersive experience for their guests. Visiting the chateau is like taking a trip back in time. With its several of rooms furnished with original decorations and furniture, and its gardens which still maintain their original 17th century design, Vaux le Vicomte is a wonder to behold.
What to expect in this complete guide:
Top reasons to visit Vaux le Vicomte
Top events at Vaux le Vicomte
How to Get to Vaux le Vicomte
A full day itinerary from Paris to Vaux le Vicomte
Vaux le Vicomte Practical Info
Top Reasons to visit Vaux le Vicomte
#1 Its rich history
In 1641, the 26 year old parlimentarian Nicolas Fouquet, purchased the Vaux-le-Vicomte estate. Over twenty years, Fouquet along with a team of designers and architects transformed the property into the splendid château we see today. André Le Notre, one of France’s most notable landscape architects, designed the gardens. King Louis XIV later commissioned him to design the gardens at Versailles. Unfortunately, things did not end well for Fouquet who was thrown in jail. In 1875, industrialist Alfred Sommier purchased Vaux le Vicomte and launched the restoration of the abandoned estate. At present, the chateau is privately owned and run by the De Vogüé family, descendants of Sommier, who have been responsible for maintaining the chateau’s splendour as one of France’s Historic Monuments.
#2 Its attractions
The interior of the chateau has been almost perfectly preserved in its 17th century state. Complete with stately furnishings and ornamental decorations, the château is an opulent symbol of the wealth of France’s pre-revolution artistocracy. The estate uniquely features a carriage museum where most of the family’s hand-crafted carriages are on display. In the central dome of the château, you can take in a 360° view of the entire chateau and its extensive gardens. Stepping inside Château Vaux le Vicomte is like entering into a different time!
| INSIDR Tip: INSIDR readers can get FREE access to the chateau dome, the highest point in the entire estate! You can take the best photos of the gardens and enjoy the best views! |
#3 Its gardens
The gardens at Château de Vaux le Vicomte are a pristine example of the Jardin à la française. The gardens were carved from the estate’s 100 acre grounds and feature multiple fountains and flower beds which all serve to compliment the chateau itself. It’s important to note that the gardens at Vaux le Vicomte were the inspiration behind Versailles’. Designer Patrick Hourcade was commissioned in 2019 to add his art installation in the gardens entitled “Ephemeral Ribbons”—390 angled aluminum plaques that are laid down on the gardens and reflect the sky!
#4 Its proximity to Paris
Unlike the castles of the Loire Valley, Vaux le Vicomte is just under an hour away from Paris. It’s incredibly easy to access from Gare de l’Est in Paris. If you prefer going there by car, the drive isn’t too bad either. The château is only 50km from Paris and takes about an 50 minutes to an hour depending on traffic. Keep on reading to find our complete transport guide.
#5 Its amazing events
There are many great events put on annually at Vaux le Vicomte. The château is a particularly great place to spend a day with your whole family. Vaux le Vicomte makes the tour of the chateau even more special for children where they can pick out a period costume to really play up their imagination of 17th century life. The chateau also offers a variety of seasonal events such as the Candlelit Evenings and the Grand Siècle Day. At Christmas, the chateau comes alive as the entire estate is decorated for the holiday season. These events are detailed down below!
| INSIDR Tip: If you’re bringing your little ones along with you to Vaux le Vicomte, don’t miss out on the opportunity to rent cute period costumes for them for FREE! |
#6 Its range of dining options
Unlike many other chateaux outside of Paris, Vaux le Vicomte offers many dining options to its guests. Restaurants located at the estate include the family-friendly Relais de l’Écureuil, the sophisticated Les Charmilles for fine dining, and the more casual Songe de Vaux for drinks and appetizers. At the same time, guests at Vaux le Vicomte are also welcome to bring their own food and enjoy a picnic in the beautiful gardens for free. There’s something for every budget and taste at the chateau.
#7 Its convenient services
While Vaux le Vicomte is certainly an example of opulence and luxury, visiting the estate is remarkably affordable. Standard tickets are just 16€ and children under 6 are always free. There are also reduced ticket prices for those with disabilities. The chateau provides its guests with free audioguides with a 3D immersive sound experience so you get the most out of your visit. And if you’re visiting with your little ones, make sure to present your INSIDR vouchers so they can rent costumes at the château for free. On-site, there are washrooms equipped with changing tables and toilets for persons with reduced mobility. Parking is also free!
Top 2021 Events at Vaux le Vicomte
Candlelit Evenings
When: Every Saturday evening in 2021 from July 4 to October 3
Tickets: 19.90€ for adults and 14€ for children ages 7-17
Book your ticket here
What to expect:
– the grounds of the estate are illuminated by more than 2000 candles, full of romantic ambiance!
– access to the chateau
– the chateau is open until midnight
* There is also a direct shuttle service from Vaux le Vicomte and back to Paris Gare de Lyon
What to expect:
– the grounds of the estate are illuminated by more than 2000 candles, full of romantic ambiance!
– access to the chateau
– the chateau is open until midnight
* There is also a direct shuttle service from Vaux le Vicomte and back to Paris Gare de Lyon
Grand Siècle Day
When: June 7, 2021 (Sunday)
Tickets: 17,90€ for adults, 15,90€ reduced rate, 12€ for children, free for kids under 6
What to expect:
– a day long festival at Vaux le Vicomte where everyone is dressed up as 17th century aristocrats!
– there will be baroque dancers, musketeer shows, carriage rides, and a costume contest!
Bonus: You can rent a costumes by Sommier et Fils at Vaux le Vicomte. Rentals start from 90€.
Styx Tour
Price: 60€ per session for up to 6 people
What to expect:
– a family-friendly tour that takes you into the underground river that lays below the castle
– you will go through a series of tests designed to test your agility and problem solving skills
– only available in French
Easter at Vaux le Vicomte
When: Easter weekend from April 11 – 13, 2021
Tickets: 16,90€ for adults, 14,90€ reduced rate, free for kids under 6 years old
What to expect:
– a family-friendly Easter egg-hunt—one of the biggest in France!
– a wonderful chocolate sculpture and a fabulous Easter table decorated by Villeroy & Boch
– playful workshops and contests where kids can win pop-up books!
– adults will also have their own golden egg-hunt! And winners get 2 tickets to this year’s Candlelit evenings!
Christmas at Vaux le Vicomte
Christmas is one of the best times to visit Vaux le Vicomte. During the holiday season, the entire chateau is decorated festively. Each year has a new theme that tries to outdo itself from the previous year. Fires in the hearths and carriage rides through the gardens make the magic of this event come alive in full effect! Tickets to Christmas at Vaux le Vicomte are 19.90€ for adults, 14€ for kids 7-17 and free for children under 6.
How to get to Vaux le Vicomte
Accessing Vaux le Vicomte by train
– From Gare de l’Est, board train Line P bound for Provins and get off at the Verneuil l’Etang station. A direct train leaves Gare de l’Est every 60 minutes and travel time takes about 35 minutes.
– From the Verneuil l’Etang train station, board the “Châteaubus”, Vaux le Vicomte’s official shuttle to the château. The shuttle is in front of the train station exit and comes every hour. The ride to the estate takes approximately 20 minutes. A roundtrip shuttle ticket costs €10.
| INSIDR Tip: you can use the Navigo Pass to take the Line P train to Vaux le Vicomte. |
Accessing Vaux le Vicomte by car
Driving to Vaux le Vicomte takes an average of 55 minutes. You can reach the chateau by taking the A4 or the A6 motorway from Paris. Enter the A5 and follow signs to Troyes. Take Exit No.15 signposted to Saint Germain Laxis. The entrance to the chateau is marked by a sign. Parking is free of charge. You can also read our guide to driving in France and renting a car during your visit.
A full day itinerary from Paris to Vaux le Vicomte
In the morning
Take the 9:45am train from gare de l’Est to get an early start! When you arrive at the chateau, grab a free audioguide available in 9 languages including English, Japanese, Chinese, and Spanish and take your time exploring the château.
For an immersive experience, rent a period costume* and explore the grand estate while learning about its history and discover what it was like to live there during the French Renaissance. While the sun is still high, climb up the dome* to get a 360° view of the estate and its gardens.
Tickets are 16.90€ for adults and 14.90€ for kids age 7-17.
Children under 6 are free.
*Free for INSIDR voucher holders.
Dome access voucher
Kids Costumes voucher
At lunch
Bring a picnic and enjoy lunch ‘en plein air’ in the chateau’s stunning gardens. Guests are welcome to bring their own food and eat outside. Otherwise, Le Relais de L’Ecureuil is a great option.
Le Relais de L’Ecureuil
– a self-service restaurant in a wing of the château’s outbuildings (just to the right of the ticket office)
– a family-friendly restaurant with a wide menu
– average price between 20€ and 25€ for a three course meal: starter, main course & dessert
– high chairs are available for children and there’s a spacious patio where you can enjoy the weather.
In the afternoon
After you’re done eating, take a leisurely tour through the gardens either by foot or on a golf cart which are available for rent. When you’re done, make your way over to the carriage museum. You’ll find the chateau’s impressive collection of hand-made carriages. The museum is very popular among children and offers a rare look at what was once considered the most luxurious means of travel.
| INSIDR Tip: Don’t miss the gift shop where you’ll find a great assortment of souvenirs and the famous Countess Cristina de Vogüé’s dessert recipe book. |
At night during Candlelit Evenings
For the evening, make a reservation at the château’s fine dining restaurant Les Charmilles. Here you can dine under the stars and enjoy a seasonal menu of gourmet cooking. You can also spend an hour or two relaxing at the chateau’s signature bar Le Songe de Vaux. The bar overlooks the gardens and is the perfect spot to take in the light show while enjoying a nice glass of champagne.
Les Charmilles
– only open on Saturdays from July to October
– booking in advance is recommended
Le Songe de Vaux
– only open during Candlelit Evenings from July to October
– 14€ for a glass of champagne, 10€ for some macarons
| INSIDR Tip: You can take the direct shuttle bus to Gare de Lyon that leaves at 11:30pm. Please note that the shuttle bus is about a 20 minute walk from the chateau so don’t stay too long! |
Combine your visit to Vaux le Vicomte
Château de Fontainebleu
If you’re traveling by car, you can also visit another grand estate in Île-de-France. Château de Fontainebleau is only a 30-minute drive from Vaux le Vicomte. It is a lovely, historic French castle with gardens designed by André Le Notre, the same landscape architect who designed the gardens at Vaux le Vicomte and Versailles.
Fontainebleu National Forest
Heading to Fontainebleau National Forest is also a great activity to combine your Vaux le Vicomte visit with. It is the second-largest national forest in France at 22,000 hectares in size. There are a number of activities for the whole family to try including carriage rides, story walks, a high ropes course and bike rentals. There is also a golf course on site and designated bouldering areas. It’s a fun way to integrate some physical activity into your day!
Provins
Provins is a fascinating medieval town just a 45-minute drive from Vaux le Vicomte. You can also take the same train on Line P from Gare de l’Est to get there. People love visiting this place because of the medieval architecture that still stands. On June 15th and 16th, 2019, Provins will host Europe’s biggest and best medieval fair where you can see throngs of costumed tourists and locals take over the city for a weekend of revelry and fun.
Vaux le Vicomte Practical Info
Address: 77950 Maincy
2021 schedule: open March 14 – November 1, 2021, 10:00am – 7:00pm
Closed: from November 2 – 20, 2021
Official Ticket Page
Don’t forget to download your Vaux le Vicomte vouchers!
– Free Dome Access
– Free Costume Rental for Kids
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