CASTLE OF VAUX-LE-VICOMTE

The appointment of arts
A symbol of the success, but also of the tragic destiny of Nicolas Fouquet, superintendent of finances of Louis XIV, the castle and the gardens of Be Vaux-le-Vicomte preserved through the centuries their harmony and their beauty, that are masterpieces of the decorative art of XVllth century.
FABULOUS ARTISTS made of this castle a great splendour. The buildings were drawn by Louis Le Vau. The paintings and decoration by Charles Le Brun and the gardens put in value by the famous André Le Nôtre. In August 17, 1661, Fouquet invites the king to a splendid party. Feast, theater, music, rustic ballets and fires of artifice... This noisy luxury irritates the great king Soleil prodigiously... 19 days will be enough for the monarch to imprison his superintendent of finances for the remainder of hisdays, but he was inspired by Vaux-le-Vicomte and engaged the same artists for the creation of one of the most famous castles in the world: Versailless.

The safeguarded Beauty
the RESIDENCE of Nicolas Fouquet, private field, still keeps today all its splendour. Its visit leaves to each one an imperishable memory: the large oval living room and its 18 meters of heightand its cupola, the room of the King whose baroque style precedes Versailless, the lounge of muses, a masterpiece of the painter named Le Brun, and a charming cabinet of plays and the superb kitchens of the basement, in which officiated the famous Vatel, Master of hotel of Fouquet.

Splendours of the garden with a French style
the VISIT OF the CASTLE of Vaux-le-Vicomte would be incomplete without the discovery of the gardens drawn by Le Nôtre. Throughout the floors of embroideries, the basins, the channels and waterfalls, the walker is disturbed by the multiple effects of visual surprises. From April to September, a new floor of flowers granted to the seasons: a floor of tulips and myosotis in April and a floor of vervains, rose trees turkey, lemon trees and cosmos between mid-June and mid-September, will offer a visual show that is high in colors.

The museum of the crews: a unique collection
THE CASTLE shelter a museum of the crews where is presented in Europe a rare collection of crews and horse-drawn carriages in an elegant and refined production..

To visit
• Audio-guides available for the visit
• Hiring of electric carriers for a walk in the gardens
All the days during the period of opening

Dancing waters
The SECOND and last Saturdays of each month, from March 29 to October 25, the gardens become animated with magic and dancing waters. (15 - 18).

Visits accompanied by the candles
EVERY SATURDAY EVENING from May 3 to October 11 and every Friday evening from July 4 to August 29, starting from 20pm until midnight. At the sunset, more than 2000 candles illuminate the castle and the garden having a French style. This luminous fairyhood evokes the unique and sumptuous festival provided by Fouquet to the honor of the king Soleil.

Exhibition of« André Le Nôtre: The gardens of intelligence »
"INSTALLED IN the arched CELLARS of the castle, this exhibition gives to the visitor the illusion to walk in the alleys of the garden: cabinet of greenery, floors of embroidery refreshed by the sound of the dancing water , interactive models... A course which reveals subtleties and the work of Andre Le Nôtre. The gardener had received a training of painter. He gives, by carrying out the gardens of Vaux, all the measurement of his direction of perspectives. Its rectilinear and symmetrical plan emphasize the castle, located at the center, while using with happiness, the reliefs of the ground.

Games of enigmas
To the WILL OF THE VISIT,, kids and adults will take pleasure to take share in this fire of enigmas which will enable them to thwart the plot which is woven against Nicolas Fouquet, the famous superintendent of finances of Louis XIV.Open all the days from March 29 to November 11, from 10 to 18 pm the weekend, and the closing of the castle during the week from 13pm to 14pm (the winter, reception of the groups on booking).

An open air Opera in the Castle of Vaux-le-Vicomte
The weddings of Figaro de Mozart are on Thursday 11, Friday 12, Saturday 13 and Sunday September 14. After the success of Rigoletto, then of "Don Giovanni last year, 4 exceptional representations of the" Weddings of Figaro "will be given within the prestigious framework of the main courtyard, facing the castle. A broad public, passionate or curious, will thus discover the magic of the Opera.
The artistic choice supports the rise of young soloists, resulting from the largest schools of international Operas, in the interpretation of the great roles of the traditional repertory. A dreamed occasion to have fun for the lovers of this opera that has been marvelously served by the music of Mozart, that is at the same time deep and light, and that adapts perfectly with the topic to the intrigue. The conjugation of a charming show in the open air and the beauty of the inheritance will make these four evenings, an unforgettable cultural event.