Vaux-le-Vicomte
Reservation

Tucked away along the formal French gardens, Les Charmilles Kiosk invites you to enjoy a delightful break in the heart of the estate.

Set on a terrace with an uninterrupted view of the château and its gardens designed by Le Nôtre, it offers the perfect setting to relax. Whether for a light bite, a sweet treat or a drink in the sunshine, it is an ideal place to pause during your visit.

Designed as a convivial stop, the kiosk offers a selection of carefully prepared light refreshments, to be enjoyed at your own pace.

Practical information

The Charmilles Kiosk is open:

  • every weekend
  • during school holidays
  • on public holidays

Opening subject to weather conditions.

Experience Vaux-le-Vicomte as a family

As the warmer days return, Vaux-le-Vicomte opens its gates for a family escape where heritage, nature and playful experiences come together.
From immersive visits and sensory trails to children’s activities and relaxing moments, everyone can shape their day at their own pace.

Practical information

During the spring holidays: April 18 to May 3
And May 8–10 and May 14–17

Daily from 10.00 am to 5.30 pm (last ticket office access)

 

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

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

Step into the fascinating history of Vaux-le-Vicomte through an immersive 3D sound experience.
Equipped with headphones, you’ll be transported into the heart of the estate’s defining moments: court intrigues, lavish festivities, and the destiny 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

At Vaux-le-Vicomte, the garden is to be fully experienced through walks, games and sensory discoveries.

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…

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.

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.

 

 

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 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

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.

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).

Opening hours: Every open day of the estate, from 12:00 pm to 5:30 pm (hot meal service until 3:00 pm).

Saturday, May 23th

Each year, this event is a highly anticipated moment for lovers of the 17th century! A unique experience of the French art of living in the time of Louis XIV and Nicolas Fouquet. The festivities will continue until nightfall in an intimate candlelit atmosphere.

Practical information

  • In the event of adverse weather conditions, certain activities may be cancelled.
  • The immersive sound experience will not be available during this event.

Saturday, May 23th

11:00 am – 9:30 pm (last access to ticket office)

Animations start at 3:00 pm

 

  • Full price (including Castle & Gardens): €23
  • Reduced rate (children from 4 to 17 years old, students, job seekers, and costumed attendees) including Castle & Gardens: €19.50
  • Gardens-only rate: €17
  • Free for children under 4 years old
  • After Prestige (in addition to the entrance ticket and soon available online on our online ticketing service): From €60

 

Book your tickets online
  • There is no costume hire available on site.
  • Booking and fitting are strongly recommended in advance with our approved partners: Un jour dans le temps and Sommier et Fils.
  • Wearing a costume is not required to access the estate.

 

On Saturday, May 23, the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, a family residence and a grand venue for celebrations in Nicolas Fouquet’s time, invites you to step back in time to the era of the Sun King and the artists of the Grand Siècle. Each year, thousands of costumed visitors and curious onlookers flock to the Château, dressed in their finest attire, to experience a memorable day at a 17th-century court, set against the magnificent backdrop of the palace that inspired the Château de Versailles.

On the program for this 2026 edition: courtly dance invitations, musketeer performances, horse-drawn carriage rides, falconry shows, stilt-walking artists, costumed parade, baroque dance performance by the students of Cie Fêtes Baroques – Chrystelle Arcelin, gardens illuminated by candlelight, fountain displays in the estate’s pools, and a grand gold-and-silver firework show at 11:00 pm.

At 6:00 pm, all costumed guests will be invited to stroll through the French formal garden.

Children will be kings!

Children will have the opportunity to explore the château dressed in magnificent period costumes. Around the fountains, they can enjoy a 17th-century-style pastime, guiding small colorful sailboats across the water. A face-painting workshop and an introduction to the language of beauty patches, a hallmark of the era, will also be offered free of charge.

A varied dining offer

During this exceptional evening, the estate offers a high-quality dining experience. You can enjoy a gourmet dinner at Les Charmilles restaurant, in an intimate setting with a view of the château and its candlelit gardens, or opt for a warm and convivial meal at Le Relais de l’Écureuil. Every visitor will experience magical moments, admiring the harmony of a 17th-century masterpiece.

The After Prestige, for Ambassadors of the Grand Siècle

Are you someone who seeks excellence, wears period costumes, and knows everything about 17th-century fashion? Then this special event within the event is made for you! The Château honors passionate enthusiasts by offering them the opportunity to participate in a “Prestige After Party” to close the day. Welcomed at the gates of the Cour d’Honneur at 9:30 PM, marquises and marquis, dukes, and other costumed guests will enjoy a convivial and intimate moment inside the Château and on the south terrace, specially privatized for the occasion.

The program will include a champagne bar, snacks, baroque dance classes with Irène Feste, discovery of period cosmetics, a musical interlude, and much more. Our ambassadors will also have the privilege of watching the fireworks from the south terrace of the Château, which will be privatized at 11:00 PM.

To contribute to the magic of the event, it is essential to arrive wearing a period costume dating from the grand siècle to the beginning of the siècle des lumières: ancien régime excluding the revolution, and to don it before entering the Château grounds. Entry will be refused to those not in costume.

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.

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.