An inspiration for the CHÂTEAU DE VERSAILLES, the Château de VAUX-LE-VICOMTE is a real gem. It may be less well known than its neighbor to the west of Paris, but its assets are no less impressive. And it has the advantage of being less crowded. Which makes it even more enjoyable to visit.
Our campsites in Vaux le Vicomte
The Château de Vaux le Vicomte was born of the dreams of grandeur of Nicolas Fouquet, Louis XIV’s Superintendent of Finances. To build this masterpiece of classical architecture, he enlisted the services of the greatest artists in their fields. These included Louis le Vau, the king’s first architect, landscape architect André le Nôtre and painter Charles le Brun. All three had already worked together on the Château de Vincennes, and Louis XIV would bring them together again for the Château de Versailles.
A sumptuous château, but too ostentatious for Louis XIV
The Château de Vaux le Vicomte was completed in the late 1650s, but Fouquet had little time to enjoy it. A few weeks after a sumptuous feast given in honor of Louis XIV, with Vatel in the kitchen, the king had his superintendent of finance arrested for embezzlement of public funds. The story goes that Louis XIV had him arrested out of jealousy in front of the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte. This is false, as the decision to arrest him had been taken several weeks earlier. However, Nicolas Fouquet’s display of such ostentation must not have been in his favor, and he was imprisoned for life. As Louis XIV decided to treat himself to his architectural jewel in Versailles, the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte was not confiscated. It therefore remained private property. Today, it is the largest privately-owned monument in France.
A model of French gardens
A visit to the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, just a few kilometers from Melun, begins with the sumptuous formal gardens stretching out in front of the moat. Designed by Le Nôtre, these gardens are in fact the founding work and one of the models of the French style. The gardens elegantly integrate the château into a 3-kilometre perspective, featuring trimmed parterres, water basins and statues. Every Saturday evening during the summer, the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte offers night-time candlelight tours of its gardens. The park is lit by 2,000 candles. A magical moment not to be missed if you’re staying on a Saturday evening at one of our campsites around the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte.
The model of French architecture
When Fouquet commissioned Louis Le Vau to build the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, the latter enjoyed an excellent reputation. He was considered the ambassador of Italian style in France. Drawing his sources from Antiquity, the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte would enable him to develop his own style, which would become French architecture and influence the whole of Europe for decades to come.
From the outside, the château imposes its spectacular dimensions and perfectly balanced volumes. At its center, the ovoid dome is an architectural feat, emblematic of the monument. Once inside the château, the tour takes you through 4 levels. These are still furnished and decorated as if Nicolas Fouquet were still living there, making it one of the few monuments in France whose decoration has changed very little since the 17th century. The finest rooms are on the first floor, with superb Baroque decoration. A supplement is available for access to the dome. Its covered walkway, 25 meters above ground, offers a magnificent view of the entire estate, well worth the extra €3.
In addition to the château’s rooms, a permanent exhibition allows you to learn more about André le Nôtre’s work, including the various stages in the creation of the French garden at Vaux-le-Vicomte.
Original family tours and events throughout the year
The Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte can be visited by the whole family. Fun packages are available for children, with costume rentals, game booklets and costumed guided tours to learn all the secrets of life in a 17th-century château. Younger visitors will also appreciate the egg hunt that takes place in the park over the Easter weekend, and the enchanting Christmas decorations.
To prepare for your visit, please consult the Château de Vaux le Vicomte websitefor opening hours, prices and booking conditions.
Our campsites near Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte
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