Vaux-le-Vicomte: Tickets, Opening Hours, Access from Paris and Visit
The Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, 50 km from Paris, is open daily from 10am to 5:30pm from 14 March to 1 November 2026; château and gardens ticket €18, free for children under 6. Built under Louis XIV for the superintendent of finances Nicolas Fouquet, it brings together the genius of three illustrious artists: landscape designer 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.
Practical info
Tips
- Day visit: the Domaine ticket (château and gardens) is 18 € for an adult; free for under 6s; free parking.
- Two restaurants and a Champagne bar in the château; the Relai de l'Écureuil (self-service) is open 10am to 6pm in high season, until 11:30pm on Saturdays.
- Picnic areas run along the Grand Canal for a relaxed lunch break.
- With children: a treasure-hunt game of riddles comes free with the entry ticket, and the playful guided costume tour includes sword and hoop games, learning the curtsy and the rules of good manners.
- Period costumes can be rented: 4 € for a child's size, 6 € for an adult's.
- For another château day, see Fontainebleau or our guide to day trips from Paris; the medieval town of Provins, a UNESCO site, can be visited in a day.
How to get there
Located in Maincy, 50 km from Paris, the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte can be reached by car via the A4 or A6, the Francilienne N 104 and the A5 towards Troyes; parking is free. If you prefer to drive, you can rent a car for the day. By public transport, take the line R train from Gare de Lyon to Melun (about 25 minutes), then the daily shuttle from Melun station.
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