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Book Vaux-le-Vicomte tickets
- Discover the Baroque masterpiece of Vaux-le-Vicomte castle at your own pace with an audio guide and learn more about one of the largest chateaus in France.
- Get insights into the castle interiors like Louis XVI’s Grand Salon and the Oval Cabinet in your language of convenience with the multilingual audio guide.
- Navigate leafy pathways and uncover hidden fountains scattered throughout the planned lawns designed by the 17th-century landscape artist Notre.
- Explore the Carriage Museum on the castle grounds, where carriages and figures recreate the grandeur of 17th-century France.
- Discover the Baroque masterpiece of Vaux-le-Vicomte castle at your own pace with an audio guide and learn more about one of the largest chateaus in France.
- Get insights into the castle interiors like Louis XVI’s Grand Salon and the Oval Cabinet in your language of convenience with the multilingual audio guide.
- Navigate leafy pathways and uncover hidden fountains scattered throughout the planned lawns designed by the 17th-century landscape artist Notre.
- Explore the Carriage Museum on the castle grounds, where carriages and figures recreate the grandeur of 17th-century France.
Inclusions
- Entry to Vaux-le-Vicomte castle and gardens
- Entry to the Carriage Museum
- Audio guide in Chinese, English, French, German, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish
Exclusions
- Entry to the Dome
- Tip: Indulge in a gourmet lunch or afternoon tea at the on-site restaurant. Savor delicious French cuisine amidst the grandeur of the Vaux-le-Vicomte chateau like royalty!
- This experience is not wheelchair/stroller/pram accessible.
- Guide dogs are allowed.
- The venue provides toilets for the disabled.
- Electric cars are available for rent to visit the French Formal Garden.
- Cloakrooms are not available at the venue.
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Reviews
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What our guests say
DUET
May 2025Verified booking
Yes... no need to queue, we got through very quickly.
View original review in French
Jacques
Jun 2025Verified booking
JEANNINE
Jun 2025Verified booking
christian
Jun 2025Verified booking
Joël
May 2025Verified booking
Serezat
May 2025Verified booking
Andre
May 2025Verified booking
Monique
May 2025Verified booking
Julia
May 2025Verified booking
Marielle
Sep 2024Verified booking
Superb estate, garden, magnificent castle and total immersion with audio . Too bad the costumes weren't available. Thank you
View original review in French
Xavier
Oct 2024Verified booking
The audio experience. Excellent sound, very good rendering; story well told, and at my pace.
View original review in French
Michel
Nov 2024Verified booking
Corinne
Oct 2024Verified booking
Mansard
Sep 2024Verified booking
VALÉRO
Aug 2024Verified booking
Very nice day Good explanations. Exceptional gardens
View original review in French
POIGNANT
Aug 2024Verified booking
- Experience a full day of French history by visiting 2 awe-inspiring castles, Vaux-le-Vicomte and Fontainebleau, with comfy AC transfers from Paris.
- Explore Vaux-le-Vicomte's opulent state rooms and halls, and don't forget the 360° view from its dome – an architectural marvel in its own right.
- Enrich your experience with a multilingual audio guide or a surround sound 3D experience. Kids, get ready to play dress-up and dive into history.
- Fontainebleau, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, invites exploration with over 1500 rooms, Napoleon I's throne, and the famous horseshoe-shaped staircase.
- Soak in the beauty of Vaux-le-Vicomte's meticulously manicured greenery and Fontainebleau's majestic fountains, each an epitome of peace and grandeur.
- Upgrade your tickets to include an experienced and professional guide who will share stories about the castles and French history.
- Experience a full day of French history by visiting 2 awe-inspiring castles, Vaux-le-Vicomte and Fontainebleau, with comfy AC transfers from Paris.
- Explore Vaux-le-Vicomte's opulent state rooms and halls, and don't forget the 360° view from its dome – an architectural marvel in its own right.
- Enrich your experience with a multilingual audio guide or a surround sound 3D experience. Kids, get ready to play dress-up and dive into history.
- Fontainebleau, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, invites exploration with over 1500 rooms, Napoleon I's throne, and the famous horseshoe-shaped staircase.
- Soak in the beauty of Vaux-le-Vicomte's meticulously manicured greenery and Fontainebleau's majestic fountains, each an epitome of peace and grandeur.
- Upgrade your tickets to include an experienced and professional guide who will share stories about the castles and French history.
Inclusions
- Full-day tour of Vaux-le-Vicomte Castle & Castle of Fontainebleau
- Round-trip AC transfers from Paris
- Entry to the Castle of Fontainebleau
- Audio guide at the Castle of Fontainebleau in French, English, Spanish, Italian, German, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, Dutch, Portuguese, & Polish (optional)
- Entry to Vaux-le-Vicomte Castle
- Access to any 1 (optional):
- Access to the dome of the Vaux-le-Vicomte Castle (optional)
- Period costume rentals for children (optional)
- Professional guide (optional)
Fontainebleau Castle
- Tip: Wear comfortable walking shoes as these castles and their gardens are vast and require quite a bit of walking.
- This castle is accessible by wheelchair. The Diana and English Gardens are accessible. However, access to other gardens is challenging due to cobblestones.
- Wheelchairs on rent and a lift are available at the venue.
- Special toilets are located in the reception areas upon request from staff.
Vaux-le-Vicomte
- Tip: Don't forget to sample some of the delicious French cuisine available at the on-site restaurants or cafes.
- This experience is accessible by wheelchair.
- A disabled access ramp is available at the entrance, on the right of the large entrance gates.
- The toilets at the entrance are available for guests with reduced mobility.
- The access to the dome of Vaux-le-Vicomte Castle is reserved for people over 1.35 m.
- Children can rent period costumes at the château's entrance.
- You can choose between a classic audio guide or a 3D surround sound experience on the spot.
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
ParisChâteau de Vaux-le-Vicomte
Make the most of Paris
Why visit Vaux-le-Vicomte?
The blueprint for Versailles
Vaux-le-Vicomte was built in the 17th century by Nicolas Fouquet, who brought together France’s top architect, painter, and landscape designer—Le Vau, Le Brun, and Le Nôtre. The result was so impressive, it caught the attention (and envy) of Louis XIV, who used it as a model for Versailles.
What to see at the Vaux-le-Vicomte?
The château
Step inside a residence that changed French architecture. Designed by Louis Le Vau, the château combines grandeur, innovation, and balance—laying the foundation for what would later become Versailles.
- Ground floor: A series of opulent salons, including the King’s Bedroom, the Games Parlor, and the Salon of the Muses—each richly decorated in high Baroque style.
- First floor: The private apartments of Nicolas and Madame Fouquet, styled to reflect everyday life in a 17th-century aristocratic home.
- Basement: Kitchens, vaulted cellars, and staff quarters offer a glimpse into the working life of the estate—once managed by the legendary chef Vatel.
- Dome access: Optional climb to the top of the central dome for sweeping 360° views of the estate and gardens
The gardens
Designed by André Le Nôtre, the gardens are a landmark in landscape architecture. Carved from woodlands and arranged along a central axis, they create a seamless connection between nature and architecture.
- Landscape features: Terraced lawns, sculpted hedges, ornamental basins, and a grand canal—all arranged to reveal changing perspectives as you walk.
- Perspective design: Subtle optical illusions—distances appear shorter, reflections stretch longer, lines draw the eye toward the château or out to the horizon.
- Inside the design: Permanent exhibition in the château basement highlights Le Nôtre’s techniques and the garden’s historical significance.
Water shows & candlelit evenings
Vaux-le-Vicomte is just as captivating by night. Every Saturday from late May to late September, the estate hosts a combination of water displays and candlelight, transforming the space into something magical.
- Water show at sunset: Fountains powered by a 17th-century gravity-fed system come to life in a choreographed display across the gardens.
- Candlelit evenings: Over 2,000 candles illuminate the château and gardens, with classical music, glowing fountains, and open access until late.
Exhibitions & the Carriage Museum
The castle offers more than architecture and gardens—its museums and temporary exhibits explore the cultural world of its time.
- Carriage Museum: Housed in the former stables, featuring 18th and 19th-century carriages, sleighs, and ceremonial harnesses. A rare and well-preserved collection.
- Temporary exhibitions: Rotating displays focusing on art, landscape design, and historical figures. Past highlights include a deep dive into the work of André Le Nôtre and seasonal installations across the estate.
Plan your visit to Vaux-le-Vicomte
Timings
Location
Rules
Facilities
Accessibility
Dining
- March 15 to November 1: From 10am to 5:30pm
- April 19 to 21 : The Grand Easter Egg Hunt is held from 10am to 5:30pm
- May 31: The Grand Siècle Rendezvous is held from 11am to 9:30pm
- May 24 to September 27: Candlelit evenings, every Saturday from 11am to 9:30pm
- November 15 to January 4: The Grand Noël
Address: Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, 77950 Maincy, France
- By metro - Take the RER R train to Melun from Gare de Lyon (it is a 30-minute direct train)
- By bus - Take the Chateaubus shuttle from Melun station which runs every day from 30 March.
Chateaubus spot : Melun, Avenue Gallieni in front of the Café de la Gare - By taxi - There are available taxis from Melun Station to Vaux during the day
- From Paris by shuttle: Only during the Candlelit Evenings
- Round-trip shuttle Paris-Vaux-le-Vicomte:
- Departure from Paris, meet at the bus stop: Terroirs de France. Avenue des Terroirs de France. Near the Cour Saint Émilion metro station (Line 14).
- Note: The shuttle will depart from Paris at 4:30pm, arrive at Vaux-le-Vicomte at 6pm, and depart from the estate at 11:30pm, arriving in Paris at 12:15am.
- Taking pictures inside the château is allowed, but flash and tripods are prohibited (wedding photos excepted). Drone flights over the estate are strictly forbidden for safety reasons.
- Dogs and pets are not permitted on the estate, except for guide dogs.
- Pushchairs are not allowed inside the château to protect the premises but are welcome in the rest of the estate.
- Electric buggies (Clubcars) are available to rent, making it easier to explore the estate’s farthest corners without tiring yourself out.
- Toilets and changing tables are located throughout the estate, including facilities accessible to visitors with reduced mobility.
- Parking is free for cars, buses, and camping cars; however, parking areas close nightly, so overnight parking for camping cars is not allowed. There is no designated bike parking.
- The traditional audioguide has been replaced by a new immersive surround-sound experience, included free with your château entrance ticket.
- Period costumes are available to rent, letting you fully immerse yourself in the Grand Siècle atmosphere while touring the interiors.
- Baby highchairs and microwaves are provided inside the restaurant, Le Relais de l’Écureuil, for your convenience.
- Visiting the 1st floor is not accessible to wheelchair users due to the absence of a lift. While the gardens and the Musée des Équipages are fully accessible, their paved and gravel paths can be challenging for wheelchairs and strollers.
- A reduced entry price is available for disabled visitors upon presentation of a valid disability card.
- Reserved parking spaces are located in the main parking area. The estate is accessible by car or train, with a shuttle bus service available.
- Toilets for disabled visitors are situated at the estate entrance.
- Guide dogs are permitted throughout the estate for visitors who are visually challenged or require assistance.
- A manual wheelchair is available at the château entrance for visiting the ground floor only.
- Strollers are not allowed inside the château to protect the premises, but stroller parking is provided at the entrance. Similarly, strollers are not permitted inside the restaurant Le Relais de l’Écureuil, where stroller parking is also available just outside.
- The Relais de l’Écureuil: A self-service restaurant near the ticket office, open daily (except Dec 24 & 31) from 12pm to 6:30pm, with hot meals served noon–2pm. No reservation needed.
- Les Charmilles: A gourmet pop-up restaurant open only during Candlelight Evenings (Saturdays, May 24–Sept 27, 2025). Booking early is recommended.
- Le Songe de Vaux: An outdoor bar by the Grilles d’Eau overlooking the gardens, offering champagne, cocktails, and snacks in deck chairs.
Frequently asked questions about Vaux-le-Vicomte tickets
Is it better to visit Vaux-le-Vicomte during the day or at night?
Both have their charms! Day visits showcase the stunning architecture and gardens in natural light. Night visits, especially during special candlelit events, offer a romantic and enchanting atmosphere with music and fireworks.
Is the water feature show included in my ticket, and when does it occur?
Yes, the water features in the gardens are activated every Saturday evening during Candlelit Evenings, from 5:30pm to 8:30pm, and are included with your event ticket.
Does the ticket price include access to the carriage museum, or is that separate?
The carriage museum is included with your general admission ticket — no extra charge. It’s a hidden gem showcasing historic horse-drawn carriages.
What transportation options exist for getting to Vaux-le-Vicomte if I don’t have a car?
If you’re coming from Paris without a car, the easiest way is to take a train from Paris Gare de Lyon to either Verneuil-l'Étang or Melun stations. From there, you can catch a shuttle service or grab a taxi for the short ride to the château. For hassle-free travel, many visitors opt for full-day guided tours that include comfortable air-conditioned transfers from Paris, combining visits to Vaux-le-Vicomte and Fontainebleau castles with audio guides and skip-the-line tickets.
Are guided tours available in English, and do I need to book them separately from the ticket?
English guided tours run regularly during peak season but must be booked separately. Audio guides in multiple languages are available to rent with your ticket.
Is the château crowded, and when is the best time to visit for a quieter experience?
Vaux-le-Vicomte is generally less crowded than more famous sites like Versailles. Visiting on weekdays or outside major events often means fewer crowds, allowing for a more relaxed and intimate experience inside and outside the château.
Are there any unique dining experiences, such as luxury or themed dinners?
Yes, luxury evening dining experiences are offered, especially during candlelit events. Dining in the château while it is illuminated at night is a memorable highlight.