Fouquet, louis xivs finance minister, commissioned an impressive trio of artists to build the chateau of his dreams. The chateau, finished in 1661, is considered to be one of the masterpieces of french baroque residential architecture. Take a small group day tour to two of the most beautiful chateaux in the french countryside. The works of anatole france in english, edited by the late frederic chapman and james lewis may by anatole france jan 1, 1925. The frenchstyle gardens were designed by andre le notre. This is a chateau with an exquisite and electrifying heritage. Vaux le vicomte is well worth you time, ive visited it twice during the day, on one occasion at night. The french chateau vauxlevicomte was built in just five years from 1657 to 1661 by louis xivs minister of finance nicolas foucquet, halfway between the royal summer houses of vincennes and fontainebleau. The history of any family home has a gravitational pull as a voyeurist historian myself, nothing could be more unearthly than the story of vaux le vicomte. Fontainebleau and vauxlevicomte small group tour from. Designed by louis le vau, decorated by charles le brun and with gardens laid out by andre le notre, the house was still partially unfinished on the 17th august 1661 when foucquet invited. The chateau of vauxlevicomte france and its incredible history. Dont miss out on great deals for things to do on your trip to paris.
As with many of the best designs, the architecture of vauxlevicomte, mingling the traditional, the fashionable, and the novel, seemed to belong. In august, 1661, french finance minister nicolas fouquet threw one of the most lavish parties of all time at his new chateau, vauxlevicomte, southeast of paris. If playback doesnt begin shortly, try restarting your device. Reserve your spot today and pay when youre ready for thousands of tours on viator. If you book with tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund.
A 17th century masterpiece, vauxlevicomte was the backdrop to many major historical events and witnessed the tragic eviction of its creator, nicolas fouquet, following an extraordinary trial. Vauxlevicomte tours visit the gardens pariscityvision. Vaux le vicomte in 2020 french castles, castle, beautiful. In 1641, the 26year old parliamentarian, nicolas fouquet, purchased the manor of vauxlevicomte and its small castle. Unlike versailles, however, vauxlevicomtes turbulent history reveals a great deal of treachery and misfortune brought to its owners and, especially, its creator. Vaux le vicomte is verything you could wish for in a chateau, designed by the best architect, the best painterdecorator, and the best landscape artist of the time. The feast legacy of vauxlevicomte fountain display practical information bibliography links. The works of anatole france in english, edited by the late frederic chapman and james lewis may. Discover the history of vauxlevicomte through the centuries, from its creation in the 17 th century by nicolas fouquet, its acquisition and restauration by the sommier family in the 19 th century, to it stewardship by the vogue brothers today. For the historian, architecture enthusiast or fracophile, this is a book to be savored. Vaux le vicomte is frequently used as a film set, and can be spotted in films, such as moonraker 1979, where it provides the setting for hugo draxs house. In addition to some pretty stunning photography, the book delves into the history of the estate, from fouquet through its modernday managers, who actually grew up on the estate.
At vauxlevicomte, the architect louis le vau, the landscape architect andre le notre. Many of charles le bruns sketches and designs were later rendered into painting or sculpture by artists working under him. Explore this extravagant baroque masterpiece at your own pace, or with an audio guide that will fill in every decorative detail of the palaces opulent facade, lavish rooms, formal french gardens and carriage. Maincy the picturesque village hidden in france, 55 km southeast of paris is a testament to 15th century france. Discover the history of vauxlevicomte through the centuries, in video. For the first time in history, this visionary man brought together louis le vau. The book opens with the history of the chateau, whose striking architecture and idyllic gardens were the inspiration for versailles. Jun 19, 2019 the chateau vaux le vicomte is a hidden treasure of maincy for those who wish to have an exclusive lavish affair, it has been one of frances best kept secrets for four centuries. To build his home, he enlisted the services of three of the greatest artists of the era. Vauxlevicomte, 45km from paris in seineetmarne, is one of the most important privatelyowned chateaux in france. Vauxlevicomte easily my favorite chateau, with the best french gardens around. Vauxlevicomte where magical beauty meets the turbulent. I was very interested to visit the chateau because i had read the story behind it in the book produced by the family. Versailles, vaux le vicomte, chantilly, les tuileries.
From prices and availability to skiptheline options and mobile tickets, get all the information you need to make the most of your trip to france. Vaux le vicomte is a magnificent chateau approximately 60 km south of paris. Vauxlevicomte is a magnificent chateau approximately 60 km south of paris. In addition to some pretty stunning photography, the book delves into the history of the estate. Based on the architectural plans of louis le vau, this mid17thcentury jewel of classical architecture was constructed by nicolas fouquet and decorated by charles le brun. Our private tour of vaux le vicomte the highlights is designed for you if you already came to versailles, if you like the french history and if you wish to discover a sheer of beauty and intimacy french chateau in a peaceful environment without any crowds as we can get at versailles. One of the appealing aspects of french design and decor is their strict adherence to symmetry and balance as well as the architectural alignment of interior and exterior. The chateau is one of the settings of alexandre dumas novel the vicomte of bragelonne. History of vauxlevicomte the original building was purchased as a small and not extraordinary chateau in 1641 by nicholas fouquet, a member of the french parliament. Purchased in 1641 by nicolas fouquet, vaux le vicomte was transformed from a small castle into the finest chateau and gardens in france by architect louis levau, charles lebrun, and andre le notre. The chateau of vauxlevicomte france and its incredible. The baroque ceiling in the chambre des muses at the chateau vaux le vicomte outside paris, was decorated by charles le bruns workshop.
Built of warm yellow stone, it was designed by the architect louis le vau for the charming, politically astute nicolas fouquet 16151680. Oct 25, 2015 uniqueness of the chateau vauxlevicomte lies in the fact that its style and beauty had inspired the creation of the much more famous versailles, the favourite residence of louis xiv, the sun king. I tried to contact the chateau as well as the travel agency and no one would answer our calls. Vauxlevicomte, chateau near melun, france, designed in 1656 by louis le vau for nicolas fouquet, who was finance minister to king louis xiv. This chateau set the standard for the renovation of versailles under louis. This stunning french estate was so lavish that it landed its original owner in jail for the rest of his life. The works of anatole france in english, edited by the late frederic chapman. The numbers differ as to how many of the guard were present on that occasion, imagine 500 to thousand in that courtyard.
A confused retelling of the vauxlevicomte story was given by character little carmine lupertazzi in season 4 of. Nicolas fouquets history in 1641, the 26year old parliamentarian, nicolas fouquet, purchased the manor of vauxlevicomte and its small castle. Vaux le vicomtes rich history began in 1641, when infamous finance minister. The stage was set with green so lush, and by a hundred torches lit. A life of gleaming opulence and wretched reversal in the reign of louis xiv. For the historian, architecture enthusiast or fracophile, this is a book. About a 30 mins walk from the chateau is the napoleonic museum. If you love french history, the estate of vaux le vicomte is a mustsee. The pictorial history of the famous french chateau of nicholas fouquet, louis xiv minister of finance.
In addition to some pretty stunning photography, the book delves into the history of the estate, from fouquet through its modernday managers, who. Built between the years of 1656 and 1661, it is a fine example of french classicism. The versaillesera chateau and the 250year old cognac each strive to preserve a deep connection to history, all the. Vauxlevicomtes legendary landscape architect andre le. Vauxlevicomtes rich history began in 1641, when infamous finance minister nicolas fouquet bought the estate and enlisted architect louis. The chateau vaux le vicomte is a hidden treasure of maincy for those who wish to have an exclusive lavish affair, it has been one of frances best kept secrets for four centuries. Palace of vauxlevicomte is a baroque french chateau located in maincy, near melun, 55 kilometres 34 mi southeast of paris in the seineetmarne department of iledefrance. Online shopping from a great selection at books store.
Period costumes are available to wear throughout the castle for 6. The estate of vaux le vicomte is the fruit of a creative and passionate mind, that of nicolas fouquet. Before versailles, there was vauxlevicomte old master. Oct 03, 2015 the history of any family home has a gravitational pull as a voyeurist historian myself, nothing could be more unearthly than the story of vaux le vicomte. The estate of vauxlevicomte is the fruit of a creative and passionate mind, that of nicolas fouquet.
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