August 2025
~ Your Guide to Picturesque Travel in France ~
Bonjour, and happy summer!
If you're dreaming of something magical for your summer trip to France—something truly unforgettable—we have the perfect tour for you and your family.
A Garden Party That Changed History
Over three hundred summers ago, on August 17, 1661, Nicolas Fouquet, Louis XIV’s ambitious finance minister, hosted an extravagant party at his recently completed château, Vaux-le-Vicomte, to honor the young monarch. Fouquet staged a sumptuous banquet, a spectacular comédie-ballet and a fireworks display that lit up the gardens newly designed by André Le Nôtre. It was an extraordinary night, but only three weeks later, Louis XIV arrested Fouquet on charges of embezzlement. Fouquet never returned, but today his château and gardens remain a masterpiece that inspired Versailles.
An Exceptional Experience
Step into Fouquet’s world of elegance and artistry with our signature tour to Vaux-le-Vicomte. Privately owned and carefully restored, the château and gardens offer visitors an exceptional opportunity to learn about French art, history, gardens and architecture.
✅ Tour the lavishly restored rooms, including one of the first private dining rooms.
✅ Visit the historic kitchens and underground storehouses that influenced beginning of French gastronomy.
✅ Stroll the French gardens either by foot or in a golf cart, discovering their ingenious optical illusions.
Candlelit Evenings – A Summer Highlight
On selected summer nights, the château hosts Candlelit Evenings, where over 2,000 candles illuminate the gardens and interiors. The visit concludes with a spectacular fireworks show, echoing the legendary fête of 1661.
Just an hour from Paris, Vaux-le-Vicomte offers a one-of-a-kind escape into the heart of baroque France. It’s not simply a visit—it’s a step back in time, and a story you’ll never forget.
