Vaux-le-Vicomte – The Grand Noël

The Grand Noël

From 15th November to 4th January, 2025

 

 

PRACTICAL INFORMATION:

  • Online booking is mandatory.
  • Please reserve your time slot for the castle visit by purchasing your ticket in advance. (You can exchange your tickets up to 5 days before your visit via your personal profile under the “My Tickets” tab (Ticket exchange terms and conditions)
  • Visit duration: minimum 3 hours – Activities take place during the day and end at 6.30 p.m., except the architectural projection (on December 24 & 31: 5:30 p.m.).

  • Visitor Guidelines

 

DATES AND TIMES :

From November 15 to December 21 :Open from Wednesday to Sunday, 10.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. (last entry to the estate).

Christmas holidays from December 22 to January 4: Open daily from 10:30 am to 6:30 pm (last entry to the estate), except on December 24 and 31: from 10.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. (last entry to the estate).

Closed on December 25 and January 1.

PRICES : By reservation only

Weekdays

  • Full price:  €23,90,
  • Reduced price (student, job seeker, child aged 4 to 17, and person with a disability): €18,90,
  • Gardens only (includes gardens, activities, and the Carriage Museum) €17,
  • Free for children under 4 years old

Weekends and school holidays

  • Full price:  €25,90,
  • Reduced price (student, job seeker, child aged 4 to 17, and person with a disability): €20,90,
  • Gardens only (includes gardens, activities, and the Carriage Museum) €19,
  • Free for children under 4 years old

 

Book your tickets


The Grand Noël of  Vaux-le-Vicomte

For its 20th edition, Le Grand Noël celebrates two decades of wonder with a brand-new creation: The House of Dreams.

Each salon becomes a stop on a journey into an inner world, a waking dream where imagination comes to life. Outside, the garden sparkles, the ice rink glimmers, and the monumental projection lights up the sky.

 

In the château

 

Inside, magic unfolds. Fires warm the salons, while sumptuous decorations create a universe suspended between wakefulness and sleep. Under gilded ceilings, snow drifts in, ice glitters, and the sea becomes light. Giant bears, automatons, and plush hot-air balloons animate this reimagined childhood world.

Between poetry, enchantment, and sensory emotions, this 20th edition invites everyone to step into a waking dream, where the château becomes the most beautiful imaginary home.

 

The immersive sound tour is not available during the Grand Noël event. The first floor is reserved for the immersive show “Un réveillon de Rêve”, so it is not open to visitors.

 

 

Guest of Honor : Junior Fritz Jacquet

 

True to its tradition of combining heritage and creativity, Vaux-le-Vicomte entrusted this year’s Grand Salon to Junior Fritz Jacquet, ocean sculptor and origami master.

He has imagined a dreamlike maritime world, where paper folds, crumples, and shapes into landscapes of airy finesse. Each creation, entirely handmade, interacts with light to offer a fragile, poetic, and spectacular work of art.

 

Photo : © Yann Vernerie

 

 

 

In the garden

 

This year, Vaux-le-Vicomte invites visitors of all ages to experience a magical journey in the French formal garden.

Numerous activities, including the ice rink, architectural projection, treasure hunts for children, marshmallow roasting, animated coloring, and illuminations, transform Le Nôtre’s masterpiece into a true Garden of Dreams.

 

 

Architectural projection on the château façade – Vaux-le-Vicomte, a Living Dream

 

At dusk, the château becomes the setting for a monumental show. 1,000 m² of façade come alive to tell the story of three young brothers who, after a day of laughter at the château, fall asleep and embark on a poetic journey into the world of dreams.

This new architectural creation celebrates the 20th anniversary of Le Grand Noël and offers a spectacular finale of light, imagination, and emotion.

  • Schedule : 6 p.m. – 6.30 p.m.  7 p.m.  (December 24 & 31: single projection at 5:30 p.m.)
  • Duration: +/- 8 minutes

This activity may be suspended in unfavorable weather conditions.

Artistic design : Mageo Productions

 

The skating rink 

The rink is set up in the main alley, a perfect spot to admire the illuminated château and garden.  Under sparkling garlands, children and adults can glide in a winter wonderland atmosphere.

  • Open daily  : 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
  • Rates : €5 per person (includes skates) – payment on site by card only, in addition to the estate ticket.
  • Gloves highly recommended.
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult

This activity may be suspended in unfavorable weather conditions.

 

 

Workshops and activities

 

The Hamlet of Dreams

Located around the Couronne basin, the Village of Dreams is a brand-new space for Le Grand Noël.
Designed as a place of conviviality and relaxation, it brings together the must-see activities: the Gourmet Evening, the Bosquet of Dreams, and the Gift Ceremony for the children’s treasure hunt.

 

  • The Gourmet Evening

A cozy and unmissable moment: everyone can roast their free marshmallow by the fire. A delightful tradition for children and adults alike.
Schedule : 12 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. – Free of charge

  • The Bosquet of Dreams

Under the “green rooms,” visitors can write their dearest wish and hang it on a ribbon… Who knows, it may come true!
Schedule : 10:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

  • The Quest of Lost Dreams 

The French formal garden becomes a vast adventure playground! Children, armed with a scroll, search for dream fragments hidden in the estate to win the coveted prize. At the end of the quest, young explorers collect their reward at the quest chalet.

  • Ages: 4–12 years
  • Open daily : 10:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. (Dec 24 & 31, 10.30 a.m. – 5.30 p.m.)
  • No extra charge

 

The Carriage Museum and Its Postal Factory

For the first time, the Carriage Museum transforms into an enchanted postal workshop, inviting visitors of all ages to share a simple and meaningful gesture: writing a card for those who are most isolated at Christmas.

In this reimagined space, visitors become the messengers of Le Grand Noël, leaving words of comfort and kindness for people in need.
A poetic and charitable initiative, supported by La Poste, the ADPHILE Foundation, and the Red Cross, celebrating the magic of sharing and the sweetness of written words.

  • Open daily: 10.30 a.m. – 6.30 p.m. (December 24 & 31: 10.30 a.m. – 5.30 p.m.)

 

Horse-drawn carriage rides 

A timeless pause to discover the French garden differently, comfortably seated in the estate’s carriages.

  • Duration : 15 minutes
  • Prices : €5  for children under 10 and €7 for adults (payment by check or cash on-site)
  • Dates : Wednesdays and weekends, then daily during school holidays (except December 25 and January 1).
  • Schedule : 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. (Dec 24 & 31: 11 a.m. – 5.30 p.m.)

 

This activity may be suspended in unfavorable weather conditions.

 

The Animated Editions

An interactive coloring workshop based on Andersen’s fairy tales is offered in the château’s outbuildings (no booking required). The magic happens when the drawing comes to life after being colored in!

  • Dates: Wednesdays and weekends, then daily during school holidays
  • Schedule : 10.30 a.m. – 6.30 p.m. (Dec 24 & 31: 10.30 a.m. – 5.30 p.m.)
  • No extra charge

 

 

Our services

 

The Château Boutique

A space brimming with little treasures and beautiful objects: gourmet treats, toys and games, home decor, accessories—there’s something for everyone. At the end of the year, you’ll find a wide range of Christmas decorations for the home, the tree, table settings, and more. It’s the perfect place to find the ideal gift or simply treat yourself!

 

 

 

A varied dining experience

At Vaux-le-Vicomte, you can enjoy a delicious break. The Relais de l’Écureuil, our family self-service restaurant with homemade meals, welcomes you for a convivial lunch or a comforting snack. To extend the magic, two kiosks located in the garden offer gourmet snacks and hot drinks, perfect for warming up between activities. A varied menu, ideal for making the most of this festive period!

 

 

 

With the support of :

A big thank you to our partners and their expertise; they play a key role in the success of the Grand Noël. Their invaluable contribution makes this event even more magical.

 

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