Paris Day Trip: Fontainebleau and Vaux le Vicomte Castles Exploration

Embark on a captivating day trip from Paris to explore the enchanting Fontainebleau and Vaux le Vicomte castles. Immerse yourself in the rich history, art, and opulence of these magnificent French landmarks, and wander through their stunning gardens and grounds.

Duration: 9 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Le Styx, Riviere des Enfers - Board a luxury coach and travel southeast to reach Vaux le Vicomte, approximately 35 miles (55 km) away.

  • Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte - The main highlight is the Vaux le Vicomte Castle, an impressive Baroque chateau that is said to have inspired the Palace of Versailles. Disembark from your coach and begin your audio-guided tour. Upon arrival, you can explore at your own pace with the provided audio guide. Discover the elaborate interiors and vaulted cellars while learning about Nicholas Fouquet, King Louis XIV’s finance minister, who commissioned the castle. The king, feeling overshadowed, imprisoned Fouquet after the castle’s completion. After touring the interior, step outside to explore the 99 acres (40 hectares) of grounds, featuring fountains, flowerbeds, and expansive lawns. If you’re hungry, you can purchase lunch at the onsite café before returning to the coach.

  • Fontainebleau Forest (Foret de Fontainebleau) - At 1:15/1:30 pm, head south to Château de Fontainebleau, the only royal castle in France to be continuously inhabited for over 700 years.

  • Tourist Fontainebleau - With its Renaissance architecture, ceiling frescos, 15th-century furniture, and intricate wood carvings, this World Heritage site offers a compelling alternative to Versailles. Explore the building independently with the audio guide, which shares stories about the French royalty who once resided here.

  • Chateau de Fontainebleau - Château de Fontainebleau is the only royal castle to have been continuously inhabited for more than seven centuries, making it one of France’s most remarkable palaces and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tour the building independently with the audio guide, learning about the French royalty who once lived here. The château also boasts extensive gardens and lakes, so take some time to stroll through the grounds.

What's Included
  • Entrance tickets to Fontainebleau and Vaux-le-Vicomte castles
  • Access to the dome of the Vaux-le-Vicomte Castle
  • Period costume rentals for children for an immersive 17th-century experience
  • Comfortable travel in an air-conditioned vehicle
  • Audioguides available at both castles for an informative visit
What's Not Included
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Gratuities
  • Food and drinks
Additional Information

Embark on a day tour from Paris to visit the splendid French fortresses of Vaux le Vicomte and Château Fontainebleau! Each location includes an audio-guided tour offering insights into the history, art, and the fascinating monarchs who once lived there. Take advantage of your leisure time to wander around the castle gardens, marveling at the opulent fountains, lakes, and landmarks that epitomized palace terrains in the Renaissance and Baroque periods.

  • 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
Location
Pullman Paris Centre - Bercy
Rue de Libourne
Metro Station : Cour Saint Emilion - Line 14 (Exit N°1 - 2) BUS : N°24 + 111 + 109 Stop Terroirs de France Meet our representative with a Paris City Vision sign, outside the hotel (in front of the main entrance)
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.1
(311 Ratings)
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Daniel_r
Jul 8, 2024
Worth the trip - The WOW moment when you first see the double staircase at Fontainebleau. Sumptuous rooms, tapestries, and furniture.
Review provided by Viator
Marian_p
Jun 15, 2024
Great tour - The transport was prompt. Both destinations were not over crowded as most of the city. The audio tours were informative for both locations.
Review provided by Viator
Irina_z
May 28, 2024
Great trip - Excellent trip! Well organized , great itinerary and very comfortable! We were met at the meeting place, given tickets to both castles and schedule. The bus was very comfortable and the driver very pleasant. It was enough time for everything.
Review provided by Viator
Dianne_d
May 21, 2024
Chateau tour - Great excursion! Fontanbleau was better than Versailles in many ways. We had a fairly comfortable ride to and from.
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Phil_t
May 12, 2024
Good trip - The pickup spot was a bit difficult to get to, but otherwise the process was smooth. Both locations were wonderful, and ample time was left for lunch. I wish we had had about 30 minutes more at Vaux. The bus was comfortable.
Review provided by Viator
Daniel_c
Oct 6, 2023
Fountainbleau was beautiful Vaux le Vicomte was incredible!!! - The visit to Fountainbleau was beautiful, however, the visit to Vaux le Vicomte was incredible!!! Vaux le Vicomte was unknown to us. but not anymore, the gardens were THE BEST part of this excursion. We would have given the excursion a 5 rating if not for the miserable ride to and from. Either the the coach driver didn't understand or the coach air conditioning was not working. It was warm on the way there and a sauna on the way back in the afternoon - miserable!! I guess it was worth it just for the visit to Vaux le Vicomte.
Review provided by Viator
Caroline_s
May 15, 2024
Good enough tour of two interesting landmarks - The audio tour was a bit lengthy and full of more detail and longer than it was interesting. I am glad we got to see both properties but it made for a long day with the bus ride. I like small guided tours better (more expensive) but the one we wanted was sold out.
Review provided by Viator
Mary_b
Sep 30, 2023
Difficult to Find - The tour was wonderful. I only gave you three stars because the meeting place was hard to find. I tried to chat and got no answer. I tried to call and got no answer.
Review provided by Viator
Zarine_h
Jun 25, 2024
AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE - Tour was cancelled after whole group waiting at meeting point for 45 min Utterly ridiculous Do not come near this agency Unprofessional and apologies don't cut it
Review provided by Viator
David_p
Apr 18, 2024
Disappointing - Trip was disorganized. No one to give direction who spoke English, even though 75% of the people on the bus were from North America. The bus driver was rude, and changed our departure time from Fontainebleau from 1400 to 1300 without informing anyone.If it had not been for someone who spoke minimal French most of us would have missed the bus. There was no representative from Viator or Paris City to greet us at either venue and give simple directions. We were simply dumped off and and left on our own I have a one day bus tour to Normandy scheduled for tomorrow. I pray it goes better.
Review provided by Viator
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up to 9 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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