The homestead of Vaux-le-Vicomte (Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte) is traditionally called the "predecessor" of Versailles. Those who saw the favorite residence of Louis, it will be interesting to get acquainted with her ancestor. Those who have not yet visited Versailles will be able to follow the development of French architecture step by step.

The history of the creation of this palace and park masterpiece is closely intertwined with the history of France itself and clearly demonstrates the features of the era. Having united the efforts of the best masters of his time, Vo-le-Vicomte was built three years (1658-1661) and was selected from the owner by the king in one day.

History

In 1641, a 26-year-old parliamentarian and future French finance minister, Nicolas Fouquet, acquired possessions with a small castle .The estate was located between the two royal residences - Fontainebleau and Vincennes - and nothing of interest was represented by .Only fifteen years later, the chief financier of France, known for his passion for money, the bribe taker and patron of art, Fouque recalled the lands acquired .Deciding to create the best palace in the country, he invited the architect Louis Levo, the ornamental gardener Andre Lenotra and the interior artist Charles Lebrun .The idea was successful .However, the sly and hard-headed Fouquet miscalculated in one: in the personality of the king, who was invited to a grand reception on the occasion of housewarming .In an attempt to impress the guests with the splendor of the palace and park, the Minister of Finance caused anger .In another way, it could not be, for, as Louis XIV declared: "The state is me", and all the best should be only with the king .Fuke was arrested on embezzlement charges and he died in prison .

Vo-le-Vicomte belonged to the widow of Fouquet until the beginning of the 18th century, afterwards passing from the owner to the owner. Now the castle also belongs to private individuals.

How to navigate

Palace: the palace has completely preserved the environment of the past centuries. You can admire the bedrooms of Louis XV and Louis XVI, Fouquet's office, dining room, kitchen and cellar. If desired, you can climb the bell tower in the central part of the castle and enjoy the view of the park.

Park: a regular French park, created by André Lenotrom, the future landscape architect of the famous Versailles, is a classic example of the French garden and park ensemble.

André Lenotre (1613-1700) is one of the most famous French gardeners-decorators. The park in Vaux-le-Vicomte is his first serious work. The gardens of Lenotra were so popular with King Louis XIV that he became his court gardener.
Every second and last Saturday from the end of March to the middle of October you can see a stunning water view, a show of fountains, the main participants of which are the operating fountains of Vaux-le-Vicomte.

How to get to Vo-le-Viscount

By train:

There are two ways to get to Vo-le-Vicomte. The most convenient is to take the Transilien train from Gare de Lyon in Paris to Melun station. The journey time is 25 minutes. Melen - the first stop. The second way is to choose RER D (station Châtelet-Les Halles) and go to the same station much longer. Approximately one-way trip by train of this company will cost 7, 4 EUR.

From the station Melon to the castle at least 6 km, which can easily be overcome either by taxi or by a special bus. The cost of a taxi to one side is 15 EUR, regardless of the number of passengers, and 19 EUR, in the evening and on Sundays.

Types of Vo-le-Viscount Vo-le-Viscount
Ancient Vo-le-Viscount Vo-le-Viscount
Hall of residence Vo-le-Vicont Vo-le-Viscount

The bus (Châteaubus) runs from April to November 7 only on Saturdays and Sundays .Travel time - 15 minutes .The cost of one way ticket is 3, 5 EUR .Stop - at the station, in front of the airport café (café de la gare), Galeni street (avenue Gallieni) .It should be remembered that the estate is not the final point, and the second stop is .The schedule of the bus corresponds with the train schedule from the Gare de Lyon (10-15 minutes after the arrival of the train) .The last flight to Vaux-le-Vicomte at 15 .45 .Additional, evening, flights are available in June, July and August (19 .15 and 20 .15).It is at this time that the "Evening of Candles" is held .From the castle, the first bus leaves at 13 .10.

The cost of tickets is indicated for April 2011.

By car:

Vo-le-Vicomte is located at a distance of 55 km from Paris. If traffic is not hampered, the journey time is about 45 minutes. First you need to move along the A4 or A6 motorway, then in the direction of Troyes along the A5 before the first turn to Saint Germain Laxis.

Kitchen and restaurants

The restaurant with the original name "Belka" (L'écureuil) is located in one of the annexes of the castle. This is a great place for those who want to dine al fresco. There is a special menu for children. The restaurant is open daily from 11.30 to 18.00. On the day of the "Evening of Candles" is open until 23.00.

On the coat of arms of Nicolas Fouca depicts a squirrel climbing upwards. In honor of her, they called the restaurant.

Les Charmilles is located in the park, in the parterre of Diana, directly opposite the southern facade of the palace. Lunch (snack, main course and dessert) will cost from 30 and above EUR. For those who prefer self-service, there is a menu: salads - from 3, 8 EUR, hot dishes - from 10 EUR, baking - from 3, 2 EUR. There is a children's menu (about 8, 5 EUR).

Shopping and shopping

On the territory of Vo-le-Viscount there are souvenir and book shops. The schedule of work is the same as that of the estate itself. In the book department you will find guidebooks, works dedicated to the history of the castle, literature about other palaces, garden and park culture, horses. The souvenir shop will offer visitors engravings, tapestries, dishes, numerous small things that are somehow connected with Vo-le-Viscount.

Types of Vo-le-Viscount

Entertainment, excursions and attractions

Show of fountains: every second and last Saturday from March 29 to October 11 you can see a stunning water view, the main participants of which are the operating fountains of Vaux-le-Vicomte. The submission is free.

The principle of the work of fountains is the technology of the 17th century. The owners of the castle managed to keep the gravity flow of water, that is, by gravity, and now, as many centuries ago, the rain falls into the ancient aqueducts, which stretch for several kilometers. Then rainwater flows into a huge reservoir, and from there, gravity spreads throughout the park.

Evening of candles: every Saturday from May 7 to October 8, from 8 pm to midnight, the castle hosts "Evening of Candles" .This grandiose presentation refers to the memorable page for Vo-le-Viscount, when August 17, 1661, Nicolas Fouquet organized a reception in honor of the young King Louis XIV .In order to impress the royal person, more than two thousand candles were lit on the territory of the palace and the park .Each year, the castle recreates the then reigned atmosphere, and with the accompaniment of classical music, visitors have the opportunity to enjoy this light festival .

Guests can book a table in the restaurants of L'écureuil and Les Charmilles. Presentation fee (16 EUR). On the first and third Saturday of the month fireworks are also launched at 22.30.

Opening hours from March 9 to November 11: 10:00 - 18:00, December - January: 10:30 - 18:00. The ticket office closes at 17.45. On the days of the "Evening of Candles" - at 23.00.

Water performance: the second and last Saturday of the month from March 29 to October 11: from 15:00 to 18:00. Evenings of candles: on Saturdays from 3 May to 4 October: until 24:00.

Entrance: 16, 5 EUR, children from 6 to 16 years old, people over 65 years: 13, 5 EUR, family ticket (2 adults + 2 children): 54 EUR, visiting gardens: 8, 5 EUR, disabled: 10 EUR.

There are audio guides in Russian. The cost is 3 EUR.

The cost of tickets is indicated in May 2014. Photos of Vo-le-Vicomte (10)