Vaux-Le-Vicomte

This impressive château was built (1658 to 1611) by the Minister of Finance Nicolas Fouquet who was the Superintendent of Finances for Louis VIX. When Fouguet got the assignment of Finances for the King, he had the originally small chatea rebuilt and expanded. The expansion was so extensive he had three existing villages demolished. The King was so impressed, he hired the same architect (Louis Le Vau) and landscape architect (André Le Nôtre) to build Versailles, which of course, had to be on a more grand scale.

On our first visit, we arrived at Vaux-le-Vicomte on our way out of Paris. We opted to drive out of Paris on a regular road, a not so good decision, as the trip took forever. We arrived and took a tour of the château and enjoyed it. The house is impressive and the gardens very pleasant.

The chateau sits on a platform, surrounded by a moat, and access by two bridges. It was grand, and the king was led to believe by Colbert it was built with public funds. Bad events followed. Colbert became the Superintendent for Finances, Fouquet was arrested and sent to prison.

In 2012 we returned to Vaux-le-Vicomte with our friends from Paris, Vannarith & Jacques, and spent the better part of the day here. Rent an audio guide, the history of this château is very interesting. The nabbing of the owner by the jealous King and his banishment is riveting.

The gardens stretch for 3 km (we retended carts to ride through the gardens, a nice touch). There are actually two small rivers that meet in the gardens.

If you are in Paris, a visit to Vaux-Le-Vicomte is possible by train. Take the RER R train from Gare de Lyon (30 minutes to Melun). When you arrive in Melun, take a 10 minute taxi or Uber to the chateau. There are also shuttle buses.

PHOTO: MYTRAVELLINGLENS.COM

PHOTO: MYTRAVELLINGLENS.COM

PHOTO: MYTRAVELLINGLENS.COM