Fontainebleau & Vaux-le-Vicomte Chateaux Day Trip from Paris with Lunch
- Duration10 hours
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Overview
This small-group day trip from Paris visits two of the finest châteaux near the capital in one day: Vaux-le-Vicomte, the masterpiece that inspired Versailles, and Fontainebleau, the royal palace where kings and emperors lived for centuries. Travel by air-conditioned minibus with an English-speaking guide, with entrance fees to both châteaux and an audio guide in each included. Lunch and drinks are at your own cost during a break in Fontainebleau. It suits history lovers, garden lovers and anyone who wants a calm break from Paris.
Highlights
- Two châteaux in one day: Vaux-le-Vicomte and Fontainebleau
- Entrance fees to both châteaux included
- Stroll through the formal French gardens designed by Le Nôtre at Vaux-le-Vicomte
- See the Renaissance galleries and Napoleon's throne room at Fontainebleau
- Audio guide in each château
- Small-group travel by air-conditioned minibus
- English-speaking guide who explains the history on the way
Full Description
The Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte
Vaux-le-Vicomte was built between 1656 and 1661 for Nicolas Fouquet, the finance minister of Louis XIV, by three artists who worked together for the first time: the architect Louis Le Vau, the painter Charles Le Brun and the garden designer André Le Nôtre. The result is a model of French Baroque architecture, with a vast reception hall, painted ceilings and reflecting pools in the gardens.
In August 1661 Fouquet gave a lavish party at the château. The king, jealous of the splendour, had Fouquet arrested soon afterwards and then hired the same three artists to build Versailles. If you are searching for a Vaux-le-Vicomte tour from Paris or Vaux-le-Vicomte opening hours, note that opening days follow the season, and this day trip is planned around them. You have about two hours to see the rooms and the gardens.
The gardens of Vaux-le-Vicomte
Le Nôtre's gardens here are the birthplace of the formal French garden, a design based on symmetry, long perspectives, parterres and canals. Walking the central axis lets you see how the lines and water were arranged to be seen from the terrace of the château. You have free time to explore them at your own pace.
Many visitors ask about the best time to visit Vaux-le-Vicomte: late spring to early autumn is when the gardens are at their best. Bring comfortable shoes, as the grounds are large and the paths are long.
The Château de Fontainebleau
Fontainebleau was a royal residence for more than seven centuries and later the residence of two French emperors, and it is often described as a true palace of kings. It has more than 1,500 rooms, and the guided visit focuses on its highlights: the Renaissance Gallery of Francis I, the ballroom, the chapel and the Empire-style apartments, including the throne room of Napoleon Bonaparte.
If you are looking for a Fontainebleau day trip from Paris or the Fontainebleau château guided tour, this gives you time to explore the state rooms with an audio guide, and your guide explains how the palace changed under each ruler. The château is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and it is closed on one day a week, so the tour is planned accordingly.
Fontainebleau town and lunch break
Between the two visits, the minibus stops in the town of Fontainebleau for about an hour, enough for lunch at your own cost at a café or bakery near the château. The town sits on the edge of a large forest, and the atmosphere is calm compared with Paris.
Lunch is not included in this option, so bring cash or a card. Your guide can recommend places to eat and tell you how long you have before meeting the group for the visit. Ask your guide before leaving the group how much time you have, so that you return to the minibus a few minutes early.
Itinerary
- Meet in ParisMeet your guide at the meeting point in your booking confirmation at 8:30 AM.
- Drive to Vaux-le-VicomteAbout 50 minutes by air-conditioned minibus.
- Château de Vaux-le-VicomteAbout two hours and a quarter to visit the château and stroll the French gardens.
- Drive to FontainebleauAbout 35 minutes to the town of Fontainebleau.
- Lunch breakAbout one hour at your own cost.
- Château de FontainebleauAbout two hours to explore the state rooms with an audio guide.
- Return to ParisAbout 50 minutes back to the drop-off point, after around 10 hours in total.
What's included
- Entrance fees to both chateaux
- Transport by air-conditioned minibus
- English-speaking guide
- Audio guide in each chateau
Not included
- Lunch, food and drinks
- Tips
Is this right for you?
Great for
- Food lovers
- Travellers who want a proven choice — rated 4.8/5 by past travellers
Think twice if
- You prefer short outings — this takes about 10 hours
- You want a private tour — this one is shared with other travellers
Not suitable for
- Travellers who cannot walk for long distances in the gardens and inside the châteaux
- Guests who would like lunch included in the price, as it is not part of this option
Meeting point
You meet at the meeting point shown in your booking confirmation in Paris; the day starts at 8:30 AM. There is no hotel pickup with this option. Please arrive a few minutes early, as the small group leaves on time.
Important information
- Wear comfortable shoes; the gardens and châteaux involve a lot of walking.
- Lunch, food and drinks are not included; you have about one hour for lunch in Fontainebleau.
- The tour operates rain or shine, so bring a light rain layer.
- Châteaux have weekly closing days and special events, so the order of the visits can change.
- Entrance fees to both châteaux and an audio guide in each are included.
- Large bags are not allowed inside the châteaux, so bring a small day bag.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Fontainebleau and Vaux-le-Vicomte tour cost?
The price depends on the booking, with rates for adults and for children shown in the booking panel on this page. It shows the current price for this option.
Is hotel pickup included?
No. You meet the group at the meeting point shown in your booking confirmation in Paris at 8:30 AM.
How long is the day trip?
It is a full day of about 10 hours, including about 50 minutes of driving each way, the two château visits and a lunch break.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Yes. Children are welcome and are booked at the child rate shown in the booking panel. The day is long and has a lot of walking, so plan snacks and breaks.
What should I wear and bring?
Comfortable shoes, layers for changing weather, a small day bag, water and cash or a card for lunch.
Is lunch included?
No. Lunch, food and drinks are not included in this option; you have about one hour in Fontainebleau to eat.
Are entrance fees included?
Yes. Entrance fees to both the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte and the Château de Fontainebleau are included, along with an audio guide in each.
Can I book for today or tomorrow?
Often yes, depending on availability. Choose your date in the booking panel to see whether the tour is open.
Why visit Vaux-le-Vicomte before Versailles?
Vaux-le-Vicomte is the château that inspired Versailles, built by the same three artists. Seeing it shows where the style began, and it is quieter than Versailles.
Is Fontainebleau worth visiting?
Yes. It has more than 1,500 rooms, Renaissance galleries and Napoleon's throne room, and it housed French rulers for centuries.
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