Vaux-le-Vicomte
Reservation

Summer Holidays

Experience Vaux-le-Vicomte as a family

The summer holidays are the perfect opportunity to discover Vaux-le-Vicomte with your family. Bathed in sunshine, Le Nôtre’s magnificent gardens are at their most splendid, the ornamental ponds bring the perspectives to life, and the château offers a refreshing escape filled with discovery. From adventures in the gardens and immersive experiences to outdoor games and moments of relaxation, visitors of all ages can enjoy a memorable day together.

Practical information

During the summer holidays, from 4 July to 30 August

Open daily from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm (last admission at the ticket office), except on Saturdays during the Candlelit Evenings, from 11:00 am to 9:30 pm.

 

Château & gardens

  • Full price: €18
  • Reduced rate: €14.50
  • Family rate: €59
  • Free for children under 6

Garden only

  • €13,50

Extras

  • Costume hire
  • Dome access
  • Club car rental

Different admission rates apply for the Candlelit Evenings.

Le Relais de l’Écureuil
A friendly self-service restaurant, perfect for a gourmet break, offering daily specials and desserts made from fresh ingredients.

The Kiosk
For a quick break without interrupting your garden visit, enjoy takeaway options to savour on the terrace facing the château.

Discover the château differently

Take advantage of the cool elegance of the château’s state rooms and immerse yourself in the fascinating history of Vaux-le-Vicomte through a 3D audio experience. Equipped with a headset, you will be transported to the heart of the key events that shaped the estate: court intrigues, a lavish celebration, and the remarkable fate of Nicolas Fouquet…

For younger visitors, a dedicated trail invites them to follow Jean de La Fontaine and Panache, a flying squirrel, on a playful and poetic journey through the château.

New experiences to discover

  • The collaborative puzzle: in Hercules’ antechamber, help recreate a monumental artwork by Charles Le Brun.
  • The living library: take a break in a warm, intimate space, just like a family home.

Dome access :

Climb to new heights and enjoy spectacular views over the estate from the lantern, more than 25 metres above ground level (extra charge, tickets available on site).

Be amazed in the French formal garden

Summer is the ideal season to make the most of the gardens. Between leisurely strolls, outdoor games and sensory experiences, the estate can be discovered from a whole new perspective.

The Trail of Textures  : An invitation to experience the estate differently: walk barefoot and explore the textures of the garden — stone, water, wood, metal… a unique immersive experience.

The Mystery of the Iron Mask : In the Patte d’Oie grove, embark on a captivating investigation. This scenographic trail takes you through underground passages and clearings to uncover one of history’s greatest mysteries.

 

Activities for the whole family

Around the bassin de la Couronne, several experiences await children:

  • For little gardeners: take part in the “Seedling Gardener” activity and plant wildflower seeds in our flowerbeds.
  • For little sailors: set your small wooden sailboat afloat in one of the bassin de la Couronne.
  • For players: collect a wooden games cart and enjoy fun moments with your family.

Older visitors can also experience the gardens in a different way:

  • For players: search for Nicolas Fouquet’s emblem hidden in the gardens… and try to win your return visit to Vaux-le-Vicomte.
  • For adventurers: at the end of the gardens, the monumental statue of Hercules awaits. Reachable on foot or by electric buggy, it offers breathtaking views over the estate’s grand perspective.
  • For dreamers: brand new this season, the confessional becomes a relaxation area. Settle into a deckchair under the lime trees for a nap or a peaceful moment out of time…

Summer Holidays

From 14 November to 3 January

Let the magic of Christmas carry you away on an enchanting journey around the world, at the heart of Vaux-le-Vicomte.

From the moment you arrive, you are invited to immerse yourselves in a warm and transporting atmosphere, where each state room of the château is adorned with décor inspired by distant horizons, blending elegance, traditions and wonder. The crackling of open fires accompanies this fairytale journey through cultures and imagination.

In the Grand Salon, a monumental projection brings a striking immersive spectacle to life, enhancing the architecture and history of this remarkable setting. Outdoors, the gardens are illuminated and transformed into a sparkling trail, inviting you to stroll and dream. An ice rink completes this winter experience, offering a joyful and convivial moment to share.

Blending poetry, light and discovery, experience an unforgettable Christmas where every step takes you further on a magical journey filled with a thousand shimmering delights.

Informations et réservation à venir

Summer Holidays

At Vaux-le-Vicomte, the garden imagined by André Le Nôtre never ceases to reinvent itself. Through two immersive trails, the estate invites visitors to explore the gardens in a new way — through the senses, history and imagination.

The Trail of Textures and The Mystery of the Iron Mask offer two complementary experiences: one sensory and poetic, the other cultural and mysterious. Between an underground river, woodland and a 17th-century vaulted passage, these walks reveal unexpected facets of the estate and invite visitors of all ages to experience the garden differently.

THE MYSTERY OF THE IRON MASK : FROM REALITY TO MYTH

In the heart of the Patte d’Oie Grove, a cultural walk immerses visitors in one of the most fascinating enigmas of French history: the mysterious prisoner known as the Man in the Iron Mask.

The trail leads visitors through a 17th-century vaulted underground passage, before guiding them to hidden springs deep within the woodland.

At each stage, scenographic installations evoke the many theories surrounding the identity of this secretive prisoner during the reign of Louis XIV.

Along the way, visitors encounter a series of scenes blending history and imagination, culminating in a final revelation. An immersive experience that transforms a simple stroll into a true historical investigation.

Practical Information

  • Recommended from 6 years old
  • 14 March – 1 November
  • Daily
  • Free access – included with the estate admission ticket

THE TRAIL OF TEXTURES : BAREFOOT SENSORIAL PATH

Sometimes the best way to discover the gardens is simply to remove your shoes.

The Trail of Textures offers a unique sensory experience: a barefoot trail that follows the estate’s underground river. Visitors walk across different surfaces and physically experience the materials that form the history and architecture of the estate.

Slate, copper, marble, sandstone paving, wood and water — each stage reveals a new sensation and recalls the materials that shape the château and its gardens.

This walk invites visitors to slow down, observe and experience the site in a completely new way.

Practical information

  • Duration: approximately 30 minutes
  • Minimum height: 1.30 m
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Not recommended for visitors suffering from claustrophobia (passage through the underground river)
  • Not accessible to visitors with reduced mobility
  • From 18 April
  • Weekends, public holidays and school holidays
  • 2.00 pm – 6.00 pm
  • Free access – included with the estate admission ticket

Summer Holidays

Delve into the art of the French formal garden through the permanent exhibition dedicated to André Le Nôtre, the visionary landscape designer of the 17th century.
In the château’s vaulted basement, a large animated scale model reveals the secrets behind the layout of Vaux-le-Vicomte’s gardens—a masterpiece of symmetry, proportion, and perspective.

An inspiring, family-friendly experience that blends heritage, innovation, and visual poetry.

The king has every reason to be angry—he finds, here at Vaux-le-Vicomte, the perfection of the French garden. Alain Baraton, Head Gardener of the Palace of Versailles.

Book your tickets online

Summer Holidays

A pop-up gastronomic restaurant.

Every Saturday evening from May 16 to September 26, as well as Sunday, July 13 and Friday, August 15, Les Charmilles invites you to a unique fine dining experience in the magical setting of the Candlelit Evenings.

Located on the West Courtyard Terrace or indoors in the event of bad weather, this ephemeral restaurant offers breathtaking views of the château and its candlelit French gardens.

Practical information

An admission ticket is required to access all restaurants within the estate.

 Reservation is required.

In case of unfavorable weather (Rain, risk of rain, or temperatures below 18°C), dinner will be served indoors – without diminishing the charm of the experience. The decision is made every Saturday morning based on weather forecasts.

Book a table soon

In an intimate and elegant ambiance, enjoy refined and creative cuisine at tables for 2, 4, or 6 guests.

Discover our 2026 menus
Book your table

Summer Holidays

The modern-day picnic has its roots in the 17th century, when it became a true art of living, favored by the aristocracy. At Vaux-le-Vicomte, this tradition lives on in a setting of unmatched beauty, blending nature and elegance.

Practical information

Reservation required at least 48 hours in advance.

  • €32 per adult
  • €19 per child

The estate’s Chef offers a refined picnic basket filled with fresh, local products to enjoy in the dedicated picnic areas of the gardens.

Download the menu

Available upon reservation at least 48 hours in advance, baskets can be collected from the Relais de l’Écureuil between 12 noon and 2 pm, or between 6.30 pm and 9.30 pm during Candlelit Evenings, and must be returned before the end of your visit.

A  proof of identity will be required upon collection.

Book your picnic basket

Designated picnic areas are clearly signposted at the entrance of the estate, offering a unique and timeless setting.

⚠️ Re-entry is not permitted once you leave the estate – be sure to bring everything you need upon arrival.

Book your picnic basket

Summer Holidays

Located just past the entrance gate, in the château’s outbuildings, Le Relais de l’Écureuil invites you to relax and enjoy a simple yet generous meal. This self-service, family-friendly restaurant is ideal for a leisurely lunch or sweet break in a charming and authentic setting.

Our cuisine celebrates the great traditions of French cooking. Carefully prepared using fresh, locally sourced ingredients, our homemade dishes combine authenticity and a sense of togetherness in the spirit of refined home cooking.

 

Practical information

  • No prior booking required.
  • An admission ticket is required to access the restaurant.
  • For groups of over 20 people, please book in advance: commercial@vaux-le-vicomte.fr.

Expect to pay around €28 for a full meal (starter, main course, dessert).

Payment methods accepted: cash, credit cards, checks, Chèques-Vacances ANCV, and meal vouchers (except on Sundays).

Le Relais de l’Écureuil is open:

  • From 10.00 am to 5.45 pm on weekdays and weekends, except during Candlelit Evenings.
  • From 12.00 pm to 10.45 pm during Candlelit Evenings.
  • Hot meals are served from 12.00 pm to 2.00 pm on weekdays and from 12.00 pm to 3.00 pm on weekends and public holidays.
  • During Candlelit Evenings, hot meals are served from 12.00 pm to 3.00 pm and from 7.00 pm to 10.00 pm.

Summer Holidays

Explore the vast grounds of Vaux-le-Vicomte by club car and enjoy a leisurely ride to the most remote viewpoints across the estate. A relaxing and fun option for families to experience the gardens at their own pace.

  • Hours: 10:30 am – 5:30 pm
  • Rate: €20 per 45 minutes
  • No reservation required (subject to availability).
  • A valid driver’s license and a deposit are needed for rental.
  • Children are not permitted to drive the vehicles.
Book your tickets online

Summer Holidays

Enhance your visit with a full historical immersion by renting period costumes for both children and adults. Step into the shoes of a noble figure from the past and explore the château’s magnificent interiors in character—a playful and memorable experience for the whole family.

Rates :

  • Children : €5
  • Adults : €6
  • Available without reservation, starting from age 3.
Book your tickets online

Summer Holidays

For a truly breathtaking experience, climb to the top of the château’s dome for a panoramic view over the entire estate. At 25 meters high, the sweeping landscape unfolds in every direction—an unforgettable perspective.

Additional ticket: €5 (Access restricted to visitors over 1.35 m tall)

Book your tickets online