Travel Tuesday: Vaux-Le-Vicomte – A Bucket-list trip in a book

 

vaux le vicomte

I haven’t done an official Travel Tuesday post in quite a long while, but the recently published book © A Day at Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte by Alexandre de Vogüé, Jean-Charles de Vogüé, and Ascanio de Vogüé, Flammarion, 2015, photographs © Bruno Ehrs offers quite a tour of both the history and beauty of this amazing place.

The Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte  is located in Maincy, near Melun, southeast of Paris.

Vaux-le-Vicomte
Vaux le Vicomte

The Chateau was built by Nicolas Fouquet, finance minister to Louis XIV, in 1641. At that time, before Versailles, there was nothing like it in all of Europe. Not only was this the inspiration for the design, architecture and landscaping of Versailles (built 1661-1678) , it is considered to have inspired all of Europe.

Nicolas Fouquet, Louis XIV’s finance minister

 

The authors and current stewards of the estate: Ascanio, Jean-Charles and Alexandre de Vogüé are the fifth generation of the Sommier family. Vaux-le-Vicomte
The authors and current stewards of the estate: Ascanio, Jean-Charles and Alexandre de Vogüé are the fifth generation of the Sommier family.

 

Vaux-le-Vicomte
Garden view
Ground floor as engraved by Jean Marot

 

17th Century engraving of the parterres as first laid out
Vaux-le-Vicomte
The gardens

The book A Day at Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte offers a wonderful level of detail about this great estate, as well as gorgeous photography to drool over. As a designer – this is a wonderful resource for an in-depth study of classic French design of Le Grand Siècle. As a traveler – this is a must-see place on my next trip to France.

Some inside views from the book with photography by Bruno Ehrs, used with permission: 
ADayChateauVauxVicomte_3D_pp68-69 Vaux-le-Vicomte ADayChateauVauxVicomte_3D_pp128-129 Vaux-le-Vicomte

 

ADayatChâteaudeVauxleVicomte_p136-137 Vaux-le-Vicomte

 

Befitting it’s subject, the book comes in a gorgeous slipcase.

ADayChateauVauxVicomte_3D_OutBox Vaux-le-Vicomte

 

Note: I received no compensation for this post, other than receiving a press-copy of the book for review. 

xoxo Linda

2 thoughts on “Travel Tuesday: Vaux-Le-Vicomte – A Bucket-list trip in a book”

  1. I’ve thought about doing a day trip here several times but generally stay away from the tourist sites like this! haven’t been to Versailles since 1970! But….after this and the video, I just may have to go. We will be back in France in May/June and maybe will do this. Another great day trip is to Rouen..just fyi. Very easy to do, the cathedral is quite something, and there is a wonderful ceramics museum right in town. Love Travel Tuesdays: can we see more????

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