Vaux-le-Vicomte Palace

The grandiose and awe-inspiring Château de Vaux-de-Vicomte is one of Europe's most influential and most important architectural landmarks. While simultaneously being one of France's premiere hotspots for aristocratic gatherings, the interior is lavishly decorated with stunning gilded walls, statues, tapestries, and the era's finest furnishings.

One of the château's best features is its well-groomed gardens, perfect for a moderate stroll. Complete with fountains, canals and stone curbs, the gardens contain an interesting optical illusion, distorting its distance depending on from where you look at it.

If you are lucky enough to be in France for the château's seasonal Friday and Saturday night Candlelight Visits, you can see the house become illuminated by over two-thousand candles as you drink champagne and listen to live classical music being played from the garden, in remembrance of Louis XIV and the 17th century festivities that were held there.

Practical Info

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Residing just 34 miles southeast of Paris, the château is easily accessible by train from the Gare de Lyon to Melun, then by taxi. Shops offer a wonderful selection of arts and trinkets. If you are running short on time and want to see the entire grounds in an efficient manner, you can rent a golf-cart to escort you through the chateau's lovely gardens and around the premises.