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Originally a small estate, Vaux le Vicomte was purchased in 1641 by Nicholas Fouquet, the finance minister for Louis XIV. In 1657, Fouquet commissioned the best of France to redesign the estate into a chateau with gardens unparalleled by any at the time. Louis Le Vau (the classical architect later responsible for re-designing Versailles), Charles Le Brun (the artist declared by Louis XIV to be the greatest French artist of all time and Andre La Notre (the landscape architect who later designed the gardens at Versailles) all collaborated for four years to create one of the most lavish of all the French chateaux.
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Fouquet, wanting to show off his grand new home and gardens, threw a party in 1861 and invited his boss, the Sun King. It probably isn’t such a great idea to brag to your boss, the king, that your house is bigger than his (at that time Versailles was still a relatively modest hunting lodge). The next day Fouquet was arrested for misappropriation of funds and exiled for life. Shortly thereafter, Le Vau, Le Brun and La Notre began a new project together – at Versailles!
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If you are visiting Paris in the summer, make sure you visit on one of the Saturday evenings in the summer when the entire chateau and gardens are illuminated by thousands of candles.
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| Tree Tunnel at Vaux le Vicomte via |
Things to Remember:
Vaux le Vicomte is open daily from mid March to mid November and on weekends in December. For more information on hours go here.
For more information on special events, go here.
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That wraps up my week of ‘voyages d’un jour’ from Paris…I know I left out the most popular day trip of all, Versailles. I did that intentionally – it is a wonderful place to visit but most anyone who has visited Paris has also visited Versailles. I was hoping to present some trips that would offer alternatives for those who are looking for something a little different.
If you missed my other ‘voyages’, we have gone to Chartres, Chantilly, Giverny and Fontainebleau earlier this week.
Tomorrow, I will be doing a round up of my favorite posts by other bloggers from this incredible week of “France: Simply Irresistible” sponsored by Anita from Castles Crowns and Cottages. Do go check out everyone else’s posts – each one is unique and they are all delightful.
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So so interesting, Sandy! It's such an incredible place. The tunnel of trees is what I'd most love to see in person!
Sandy,
Your posts are filled with brilliant details and beauty! I have so enjoyed my journey with you!
Thank you for your visit and sweet wishes!
~Lynne
withLove
WOW, Sandy, you have taken us on a premium tour of some of France's best!!! THAT TREE TUNNEL! I had never seen that!
My dear one, thank you for your hard work and participation in this fun project that has brought so many of us together! Unforgettable is this link party – MERCI! I will be back tomorrow for the finale! Anita
I have completely enjoyed your French posts. Really. I've learned a lot from them, and the beauty of what lies unseen makes me long for a long journey just to see some of these places. The Vanderbilt Estate in North Carolina is the only thing close to the opulence of these vast structures. Thank you.
Another of my favorites! Vaux le Vicompte is SPECTACULAR !!! Especially at night for the light show. It is romance and populace at its best. By the way…the orange trees in the orangerie at Versailles originally came from here. Louis had them confiscated when he put the owner in jail for stealing public funds.
very nice. i've actually been there many years ago!
the candlelit gardens look beautiful 🙂
I look forward to reading back on your posts. You deserve a star for finding that fireworks photo and sharing the amazing Chateau de Vaux Le Vicomte. It is a great story of ego and over-reach that gave a long lasting and un-planned gift to world. What a remarkable place that many people never visit.
Good morning again dear Sandy! A million thanks for coming by this morning and also again for these luscious posts you have shared with us! I will be on just a little posting break, but I will be visiting you all. My class is on poetry to which I need to devote a lot of time to, but I will still visit everyone! MUCH LOVE! Anita