Friday, August 12, 2011

Time for a Castle Visit


This summer we had the chance to go back for my second visit  to the Château de Vaux le Vicomte located just southeast of Paris. It had been so many years ago when I first visited, that I was anxious to return.



The history of the château centers around its builder Nicolas Fouquet, who at the age of 26 was the superintendent of finances under Louis XIV.



The day we visited, there were several children's groups all dressed up as princes, princesses, and musketeers. Made me want to play dress-up again!



The baroque château was built at an incredible pace, using 18,000 workers during 1658-1661. Fouquet used an amazing trio of artists to build his home, including


Oval Salon

Louis le Vau, the architect,





Le Nôtre, as the gardener,



and Charles le Brun as the decorator 



and painter. It was a masterpiece of design intended to impress his boss, Louis XIV,





who was invited along with many illustrious guests to the "party of the century" so that Fouquet could show off the finest design of the time.



His plan, however, backfired, because Louis XIV was led to believe that Fouquet had only managed such an accomplishment by misappropriating funds, so he had Fouquet arrested, and he was sentenced to life in prison.  Louis XIV was extremely impressed with the beauty of Vaux le Vicomte, and subsequently hired the same trio of artists to create his own palace of Versailles, along with removing many of the tapestries and statues to use in his own home.



A tour through the castle gives you some idea of just why Louis XIV was a bit jealous and desired all the beauty for himself.



I fell in love with this child's chair in the Duchesse de Villars' room. She was the wife of the second owner of the castle,



and her bathroom, modern for the time, adjoins her room.



One can only imagine the excitement in the kitchens down in the basement,



the night the King came to visit.


Vaux le Vicomte website

Today, Vaux le Vicomte is the largest castle in France owned by a private citizen. In addition to special events and parties, it is sometimes used for wedding receptions and filming. Eva Longoria and Tony Parker had their wedding reception here, and parts of Sofia Coppola's movie "Marie Antoinette" were filmed here.

Often when I leave a place, I wonder if I'll ever come back, or if I'm seeing a place or a location for the last time. Having seen it twice, I really thought this would be the last time I would want to go, but then I was reminded when I visited, that Candlelight Evening events are held on Saturday evenings during the spring-fall. Two thousand candles illuminate the castle on those nights, giving the château a completely different atmosphere.

Wouldn't that be a magical way to experience the story of Vaux le Vicomte? 
I'm thinking now that my "bucket list" just got a little longer.
I'll be back....


10 comments:

  1. As iwas reading this I kept thinking the place seemed familiar...I saw in the Marie Antoinette movie! Thanks so much for the extended of this beautiful palace. I will be adding that to list of must-see places in France!

    I posted about Paris too...I'm dreaming of going back there one day!

    Best wishes,
    Natasha.

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  2. I too loved the child's chair.

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  3. What a place, Debi! I can see why you've planned return visits. And that candlelight evening sounds like it is not to be missed. Spectacular - thank you so much. - g

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  4. How beautiful! I love that yu can't pass up a photo of a bathroom either.
    We are doing Traveling Tuesday's now. Come by and link up... and copy the code to your blog, then you'll be a part of the blog hop too!

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  5. Beyond fabulous, Debi!!! I want to spend just ONE day with you in your life...just one.

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  6. Vaux le Vicomte is the best chateau on the planet IMHO. I did a ton of posts on it and went back for the chocolate salon one March - super fun!! Thanks for the lovely reminder I must visit again!
    merci
    carolg

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  7. I LOVE THIS PLACE! When I was in Paris, I had to see this and what can I say, I have a close relationship to castles...don't we all?

    Your travels are many and your memories so sweet, I am sure. France and other parts of Europe are straight out of a fairy tale. THANK YOU DEAREST for coming to visit me at Clair de Lune; it is a special song for me, one that I will never ever forget.

    May you have a wonderful SUnday!!! Anita

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  8. What a fabulous tour...and yes the candlelight events sound dreamy....you certainly shall return.

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