Vaux-le-Vicomte

Updated on September 13, 2026

The Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte was built during the reign of Louis XIV, under the direction of the superintendent of finances, Nicolas Fouquet. It brought together the genius of three renowned artists: landscape gardener André Le Nôtre, architect Louis Le Vau, and painter-decorator Charles Le Brun.

Highlights

The garden

The garden of Vaux-le-Vicomte is the very first example of the French formal garden style pioneered by André Le Nôtre. This idyllic setting, spanning 40 hectares, is perfect for long family strolls. Delightful surprises await at every turn.

The dome

For 4 euros more, come discover an exceptional panoramic view from the lantern, also known as the dome or cupola. Located beneath the château's roof frame, more than 25 meters above the ground, it offers a sweeping view of the estate and the surrounding countryside in a single glance.

The grottoes

Discover the grottoes, carved into a massive stone wall and surrounded by round niches and cascading waterfalls.

Infos pratiques

Tips

A daytime visit costs 15.50 euros for an adult and does not include access to the garden. To visit the garden, you need to add 9.50 euros. Children under 6 can visit for free. Parking is free. Two restaurants and a Champagne bar welcome you at the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte. Le Relais de l'Écureuil, a self-service restaurant, is open from 10am to 6pm during high season and until 11:30pm on Saturdays. Picnic areas along the Grand Canal are also available for a relaxed lunch break. For a different kind of visit, have fun with your children solving the riddles of a treasure hunt included with your entry ticket. To make the experience even more memorable, you can rent period costumes for 4 euros for children's sizes and 6 euros for adult sizes. The fun visit for children is a guided tour in costume featuring sword and hoop games, learning to bow, and the principles of good manners.

How to get there

Located 50 km from Paris, the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte is accessible via the A4 or A6, the Francilienne N104, and the A5 toward Troyes. By train, take the TER line P from Gare de l'Est to Gare de Verneuil l'Étang, then take the "Châteaubus" to the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, a trip of just over an hour in total.