Fontainebleau and Vaux le Vicomte Chateaux Day Trip from Paris

Overview

See two magnificent French castles – Vaux le Vicomte and Château Fontainebleau – on a day trip from Paris! Audio-guided tours at each site are included, so you’ll learn about the castles’ history and art, as well as the eccentric royals who once called the places home. Enjoy free time to explore the castles’ gardens, seeing the grandiose fountains, lakes and monuments that characterized palace grounds during the Renaissance and Baroque eras.

What's included

• ✓Access to the dome of the Vaux-le-Vicomte Castle
• ✓Period costume rentals for children to transport them back to the 17th century
• ✓Air-conditioned vehicle
• ✓Audioguides at both castles
• ✓Entrance tickets to Fontainebleau and Vaux-le-Vicomte castles

• ✕Hotel pickup and drop-off
• ✕Gratuities
• ✕Food and drinks
• ✕Guided visit
• ✕WiFi on board
• ✕Restroom on board
• ✕Headset

What you'll do

1. 1

   On board a luxury coach, you will drive to southeast and reach Vaux le Vicomte ( approx,35-miles (55-km))

2. 2

   Its star attraction is the Vaux le Vicomte Castle – the impressive Baroque chateau that allegedly inspired the Palace of Versailles – so hop off your coach and head inside for your audio-guided tour.When you arrive, you are free to explore independently using your provided audio guide. See elaborate interiors and vaulted cellars, and learn about the man behind this massive home, Nicholas Fouquet, who was King Louis XIV’s minister of finance. After Fouquet commissioned Vaux le Vicomte to be designed by a top architect, the king felt upstaged and threw the minister in jail. When you’re finished inside, walk outside to discover the castle’s 99 acres (40 hectares) of grounds made up of fountains, flowerbeds and sprawling lawns. If you’re hungry, grab some lunch from the onsite café (own expense) before returning to the coach.

   ⏱ 2 hours
3. 3

   Then at 1.15/1.30pm,make your way south to Château de Fontainebleau, the only royal castle in France to be continuously inhabited for more than 700 years.

4. 4

   With its Renaissance architecture, ceiling frescos, 15th-century furniture and detailed wood carvings, this World Heritage site is a great alternative to visiting Versailles. Tour the building independently via the audio guide, listening to tales about the French royalty who once lived here.

5. 5

   Château Fontainebleau. The only royal castle to be continuously inhabited for over seven centuries, Fontainebleau is one of the country’s more exceptional palaces – deservedly taking a place on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list Tour the building independently via the audio guide, listening to tales about the French royalty who once lived here. Château de Fontainebleau is also home to extensive gardens and lakes, so take time to wander the grounds

Availability & pricing

Pick your exact date & check live availability on the booking page.

Good to know

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• The access to the dome of the Vaux-le-Vicomte Castle is reserved to people over 1.35 m
• Arrival in Paris at the end of the tour expected around 6:15 pm
• Audio guided tour of the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte (available in French, English, Spanish, Italian, German, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, and Portuguese)
• Audio guided tour of the Château de Fontainebleau (available in French, English, Spanish, Italian, German, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, Dutch, Portuguese, and Polish)

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.