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To experience the magical delights of Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte during the festivities (until January 2), please contact our friendly concierge team who will be happy to arrange this for you.
Art and culture
Festive delights at Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte
December 17, 2021
Transformed for Christmas, this impressive 17th century Baroque château comes highly recommended by our concierge team at Le Meurice. Adorned with thousands of lights and decorations for the festive season – prepare to be dazzled.
Le Meurice recommends
Built for Nicolas Fouquet, superintendent of finance for Louis XIV, Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte’s grand architecture, interior design and garden landscaping marked the beginning of Louis XIV’s style. Our head concierge, Marko Tasic, is a huge fan of this fabulous château. For him, nothing beats visiting it at Christmas, when their decorations and light shows transform it into something truly spectacular for all the family.
Let the illuminations begin
The theme for this year’s Vaux-le-Vicomte illuminations is a celebration of the 400th anniversary of French fabulist, Jean de La Fontaine. His animal-inspired stories provide endless inspiration for an array of seasonal delights, all situated with easy reach of Le Meurice, around 37 miles/60km south of Paris.
Prepare to be dazzled
As soon as you enter the estate, your magical experience begins. Witness the characters of Louis XIV’s court depicted arriving by carriage and transformed into the animals of Jean de La Fontaine’s imagination. Thousands of fairy lights make the magnificent statues of the Garden à la Française sparkle, while majestic swans fly to the sound of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake. An avenue of illuminated trees guides you to the entrance, where more adventures await.
360° immersive experience
For the first time ever, the 1,500m² walls and cupola of the Grand Salon become the backdrop for La Fontaine’s ‘The Fox and the Squirrel’ fable. Children will be transfixed by the enchanting illuminated images, whilst adults can detect subtle political messages carefully woven into the story.
Stories galore
As you wander around the grand building, see more stories brought to life. In the Cabinet des Jeux you’ll find the greedy tale of ‘The Cicada and the Ant’ and in the Hercules Anti-chamber prepare to be met by a giant animated bear. In the kitchen, artisans have been at work to recreate ‘The Raven and the Fox’ in a tempting chocolate display.
Sound and vision
At the end of the day, once the sun has set, discover the highlights of the history of Vaux-le-Vicomte. A creative video projection lights up the entire façade of the chateau to tell a fascinating tale. Intricate architectural details are enhanced by special effects, and a baroque and contemporary soundtrack complete the dreamlike experience.
The fun continues
Having explored the many wonders of the château, take to the glorious grounds to embark on a treasure hunt and a variety of games, or go for a tour of the gardens in a horse-drawn carriage. There really is something for all the family.
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