VAUX LE VICOMTE  "The unsurpassed object of envy of the Sun King Louis XIV"

The surprise hit of the week turned out to be a chateau in the nearby town of Maincy.  Sunday everyone visited this chateau of Nicolas Fouquet and enjoyed it immensely.

The story of the chateau is an interesting one.  Nicolas Fouquet was the Finance Minister for Louis XIV.  Employing the most renowned architects, designers and craftsmen, he built an elegant chateau, which could be rivaled by none, including the estates of Louis XIV.  To show off his newly completed masterpiece he threw a grand party with musicians and a play by Moliere.  The guests were awestricken by the fabulous construction and décor, with murals and painted ceilings depicting Jupiter, Venus, Diana, Hercules and other mythological gods, richly woven tapestries on the walls, a formal dining table, elaborate chandeliers.  The party set the standard for style and etiquette for all parties to come.  This was the first time a dining table had been used.  Louis XIV, the egotistical Sun King, attended and was mightily impressed!  So impressed, in fact, that he decided that his Finance Minister must have been embezzling from him to afford such a palace.  As the story goes, when Nicholas Fouquet went to bed that night he felt like a King.  He was roughly awakened early the next morning and put in prison for the rest of his life, no trial necessary.  Louis was jealous and had found a way to steal Fouquet’s ideas and style.  The Sun King immediately hired the three architects, designers and craftsmen to refurbish Versailles with as much elegance and style as Vaux le Vicomte.

The tour included the entire chateau, not just a few formal rooms.   We saw the kitchen, stables, servant’s quarters, and huge gardens.  Manequins wore appropriate clothing and were placed to depict various activities at the chateau. 

During the summer season many events are held here, including gourmet meals, mystery events, picnics, candlelight tours, operas and plays.  Period costume is encouraged for these events, and if you do wear period costume your admittance is free.  In April 42000 tulips blanket the parterre.

This was a big hit and highly recommended.  Open mid-March to mid-November 10am to 6pm.