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Chateaux Day Trip: Vaux-le-Vicomte and Fontainebleau
4.8
184 Ratings
Paris
Explore Vaux-le-Vicomte’s gardens and Fontainebleau’s regal splendor on a small-group day trip from Paris. Discover centuries of history and beauty.
Explore Vaux-le-Vicomte’s gardens and Fontainebleau’s regal splendor on a small-group day trip from Paris. Discover centuries of history and beauty.
Duration:
10 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte - Vaux-le-Vicomte was built for Nicolas Fouquet, Minister of Finance, of King Louis XIV. Fouquet united the most talented French architect, artist, and gardener of his day in order to create the most splendid castle and gardens in France. This dream team consisted of the renowned architect: Louis Le Vau, the artist and…
- Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte - Vaux-le-Vicomte was built for Nicolas Fouquet, Minister of Finance, of King Louis XIV. Fouquet united the most talented French architect, artist, and gardener of his day in order to create the most splendid castle and gardens in France. This dream team consisted of the renowned architect: Louis Le Vau, the artist and interior designer: Charles Le Brun, and the the father of the French garden: André Le Nôtre. Vaux-le-Vicomte is so lovely that the TV series Versailles if filmed there! - Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte - See the Designed by André Le Nôtre these French Gardens which are 100 acres big! - Fontainebleau - For lunch you will be able to eat at one of the many cafés or bakeries in the town of Fontainebleau. Lunch price not included. - Chateau de Fontainebleau - One of the biggest and most beautiful Palaces in France, filled with the glory of the nobility of France. - Chateau de Blandy-les-Tours - Stop by this beautiful medieval castle on your way to Fontainebleau. You’ll stop outside to take some pictures.
What's Included
- Small Group Tour of 8 people maximum
- Driver/guide
- Entrance for museums
- Guaranteed to skip the long lines
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan
- Small Group Tour of 8 people maximum
- Driver/guide
- Entrance for museums
- Guaranteed to skip the long lines
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan
What's Not Included
- Food
- Gratuities
- Food
- Gratuities
Additional Information
Embark on a small group journey to explore two of the most picturesque and historically significant Chateaux in the vicinity of Paris. Your trip will cover the charming Chateau and gardens of Vaux-le-Vicomte, the birthplace of the ‘jardin à la francaise’, followed by a delve into the majestic grandeur of Fontainebleau, a residence for kings and emperors…
Embark on a small group journey to explore two of the most picturesque and historically significant Chateaux in the vicinity of Paris. Your trip will cover the charming Chateau and gardens of Vaux-le-Vicomte, the birthplace of the ‘jardin à la francaise’, followed by a delve into the majestic grandeur of Fontainebleau, a residence for kings and emperors for over seven centuries, where history was made.
- Small Group Tour 8 persons max
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Minimum age is 7 years
Location
La Flamme
Avenue de Wagram
Please be there at least 15 min before the official departure time!
A café called "La Flamme" is located at this address.
Your driver-guide will arrive with a grey minibus about 10min before the scheduled departure time of the tour.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(184 Ratings)
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Russell_k
Sep 9, 2025
I enjoyed seeing all the furniture in both castles. The French Bistro that the guide suggested for lunch was excellent - The guide Henriqic was an excellent guide and driver. He was very informative about French history and culture.
Review provided by Viator
Bugsymallone
Sep 1, 2025
A full day but not boring. A real adventure into the past. - This was the priciest tour we took during our trip but I think it was worth it. Rick Steves
favors these two chateaux and I can see why. Glorious exterior architecture of both with Fountainbleu's history and furnishings just incredible. Vaux-de-Vicomte wins out with its moat and gardens but less extensive furnishings as compared to Fountainbleu. Our guide Valeria was totally engaging and pointed us to Le France cafe to have lunch in central Fountainbleu with its historic carousel right beside the cafe. It was a very hot day but the van was comfy with good AC although I was seated in the front and had the benefit of having the vents right there. Quick stop and photo op at Blandy Castle on the way back to Paris was cool. We appreciated the easy to find pickup spot at La Flamme and it was reassuring to see Valeria waiting for us as we arrived at different times in the morning. Thank you Valeria !
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Alexandra
Aug 28, 2025
Great tour— highly recommend - Such a wonderful tour! Our guide Will was friendly and knowledgeable, and helped make it a great experience. The tour was also very well paced— we never felt rushed and thought the timing at each location was very appropriate. For a great bonus, you can pay a few extra euros at Vaux-le-Vicomte to go up to the top tower for an incredible view overlooking the gardens. Highly recommend!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kathi1955
Aug 27, 2025
Great day trip - Great tour and our guide Will was excellent. He was very knowledgeable, friendly and a great driver.
I highly recommend this tour for someone who wants a day trip out of Paris
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mhlefty
Aug 23, 2025
An Outstanding Tour away from the typical crowded attractions - An amazing trip to see 2 beautiful castles that rival Versailles without the crowds. Lunch at a small cafe in the town of Fontainebleau was very good.
Sebastian was an excellent tour guide. His English was really good too
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Vaughn_b
Aug 22, 2025
Our driver/tour guide,... - Our driver/tour guide, Cesar, was excellent and provided great introductory background at both chateaux. He was knowledgeable and helpful, and at our request, brought us to a small town genuine cafe for lunch frequented by locals and not many tourists (I think we were the only ones there - knowing some French helps).
The visits to Fontainebleau and Vaux-le-Vicomte were brisk, but allowed time to take the guided tours (provided via headset by each location). The Viator driver/guide does not enter the facility with you, it should be noted.
Compared to the masses of visitors with which you have to contend at Versailles, these two chateaux visits were quite stress free, and taking photos in most locations easily done without all the human obstacles!
Review provided by Viator
Ronald_p
Aug 22, 2025
Spectacular day. - Spend a day reviewing history in the beautiful Loire valley. Sebastian gave us a great tour of Fountainbleau and Vaux le Vicomte. Fountainbleau is huge and the audioguide worked well. At Vaux le Vicomte it worked automatically. Both were excellent. Hightly recommend this tour which takes all day from Paris. You get a large amount of the history of France.
Review provided by Viator
Rosa_f
Aug 18, 2025
The small group format... - The small group format for this tour was perfect. Our guide was knowledgeable and gave good insights at each location and for Paris generally. Highly recommend this tour!
Review provided by Viator
Laurie_h
Aug 10, 2025
Very pleasant day - Two beautiful chateaux. Sabatian, our guide, was friendly and knowledgeable. Very small group made for a great experience. Both locations were not crowded at all, even on a Saturday in August.
Review provided by Viator
Daltonblue
Sep 1, 2025
Must visit if in the area - We were staying at a local hotel and so it was a must that we had a look around.
Very impressive architecture and gardens and at a reasonable price. If in the area you really must go
Review provided by Tripadvisor
