Vaux-le-Vicomte
Reservation

Les Charmilles Kiosk

Nestled among the formal French gardens, Les Charmilles Kiosk invites you to enjoy a gourmet break in the heart of the estate.

Designed as a welcoming retreat, the kiosk offers a selection of carefully prepared light refreshments to enjoy at your own pace throughout your visit. Featuring homemade dishes crafted from fresh, locally sourced ingredients, it provides a simple yet refined dining experience. From its terrace, visitors can admire breathtaking views of the Château and the grand perspectives designed by André Le Nôtre.

The perfect setting to relax and savour our selection of sweet and savoury treats while taking in the beauty of the gardens.

Practical information

Subject to weather conditions and visitor numbers, Les Charmilles Kiosk is open:

  • Weekends and public holidays, from 12.00 pm to 5.30 pm, serving savoury and sweet options as well as drinks.
  • Weekdays, from 3.00 pm to 5.00 pm, serving sweet treats and drinks.
  • During Candlelit Evenings, from 12.00 pm to 11.00 pm, serving savoury and sweet options as well as drinks.

Les Charmilles Kiosk

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…

Les Charmilles Kiosk

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.

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Les Charmilles Kiosk

Open every Saturday from May 16 to September 26, 2026, during the Candlelit Evenings.

Take a moment to unwind, comfortably settled in a deckchair on our terrace overlooking the splendid French gardens designed by Le Nôtre.

With its homemade treats, fine foods, and carefully selected wines and champagnes, this pop-up champagne bar celebrates the French art of living in an enchanting setting.

Come and experience a moment suspended between sophistication and the gentle warmth of summer.

 

 

Les Charmilles Kiosk

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

Les Charmilles Kiosk

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

Les Charmilles Kiosk

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.

Les Charmilles Kiosk

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.
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Les Charmilles Kiosk

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.
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Les Charmilles Kiosk

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)

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