Floral flashback

Giverny, home and inspiration to Claude Monet.

 Claude Monet's Giverny

A day trip from Paris 

 

A Christmas castle: Vaux-le-Vicomte

Due to ongoing train and public transportation strikes I am re-posting this w/an edit of getting there by car (below)

The stage was set with green so lush, and by a hundred torches lit; Once curtain raised, all Vaux was hushed. All strove to please this King of ours: Music, cascades, lanterns and stars.... - Jean de la Fontaine, French poet and writer, on the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte (1661)

(click photos to enlarge)

A unique experience of Christmas. An awe-inspiring setting.

Though closed in winter, as it does each Christmas, spectacular Château De Vaux-le-Vicomte has opened its doors from November 23, 2019 til January 5, 2020, transformed into a glittering Land of Enchantment. This year’s theme: thousands of colors and lights, including a magical evening light show set to music on the castle’s façade that rivals Paris’ Atelier des Lumières.

Master Interior Designer Eric Naudin and one of the chateau’s owners and current resident Count Patrice de Voguë explained to our small group that planning and executing an extravaganza of this scope can easily take up half a year.

Room after room elicited gasps: sparkles, glitter, twinkles, lights, garlands, baubles and bows. Around almost every corner a crackling fire contributed to the warmth and ambiance. There were whiffs of spices and chocolate (in the Cabinet des Jeux a Christmas tree decorated with unique pieces made of chocolate by the Comptoir du Cacao). Vintage toys, Christmas trees galore, enormous gingerbread cookies that appear as if they will spring to life and, on a rack in the front foyer, costumes for hire for children (and young-at-heart grown-ups) who can, for a day, pretend they are princes and princesses, free to roam the castle and grounds.

This year's masterpiece is undoubtedly the main room of the chateau, the Grand Salon. Upon entering, we were stopped in our tracks as we beheld the gilded multi-level Nativity scene, and every level had moving parts.

A charming touch of horse-drawn carriages in the sumptuous gardens signed André Le Nôtre adds to the festivities, and walking the grounds and pathways of the castle’s adjoining wood is a journey into Wonderland. - BPJ

Book online:
Château De Vaux-le-Vicomte

- Driving (from Paris): 54 minutes via A4 and N104
- By train (from Paris): 35 minutes from Gare de l’Est to Verneuil-l’Étang where (free) shuttles await to transport you back in time

- Carriage rides (small charge)
- Carriage Museum
- Walks in the decorated gardens (weather permitting)
- Surprise gift to children under 6; ages 7-17 a gingerbread cookie by Maison Fossier
- Costume rental for adults / children. Free of charge on weekdays from November 27 to December 21
- Each child who brings a book to the Red Cross stall at the estate’s entrance gets a ribbon to tie on a Christmas tree and make a wish. Books are collected by the French Red Cross and are wrapped and given to underprivileged children and their families who will be invited to the castle

Every day from January 2 to 5, 2020, celebration of Les Rois (Three Kings Day): a galette des rois made by the château pastry chef will be awarded to whoever finds the giant squirrel charm hidden in the gardens.... (écureuil is French for squirrel; Relais de l'Écureuil is the name of the château's wonderful outdoor restaurant)

Vaux-le-Vicomte at the movies #3

The château, an easy day trip from Paris, is quite different in the daytime than at night.

Above: room after sumptuous room decorated w/art and furnishings of the period; for the exhibit signs are set out indicating where a specific film scene was shot

Below: a glimpse into the basement kitchen w/table set for the household help as it would have been when the castle was a royal residence

Vaux-le-Vicomte at the movies 2018

September 22 - November 4


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Article: The Good Life Magazine

Vaux-le-Vicomte at the movies #2

Bond. James Bond.

 A new exhibition has been added in homage to Sir Roger Moore who died last year in Switzerland.

Thanks to "The James Bond Club" the helicopter from the scene in the 1979 film Moonraker when Bond does his unforgettable double-take upon seeing the château for the first time will be on display.

Above: photos from the passenger seat as we swooped over the castle

Below: aerial shot of nearby village and its medieval fortress; our helicopter before takeoff

Vaux-le-Vicomte at the movies 2018

September 22 - November 4


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- Tomorrow: inside the castle -

 Article: The Good Life France Magazine
  

Vaux-le-Vicomte at the movies #1

 A fairytale castle and gardens...

Last week I was invited to an exclusive press preview at Vaux-le-Vicomte that included afternoon tea with the castle owner and, in a tribute to Sir Roger Moore - as James Bond in Moonraker (filmed at the château) and, in 2017, passed away - a lucky few were treated to a surprise helicopter ride to behold the castle from the air, just as 007 did in the famous scene when he catches sight of the palace for the first time.

The occasion: this year, once again, and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its opening to the public, Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte has opened its doors for a behind-the-scenes experience into the magic of movie making, with something for everyone.


Besides Moonraker this 17th century inspiration for Versailles has been the setting for some eighty films including Marie-Antoinette, Valmont, The Three Musketeers, Molière, Man In The Iron Mask, Gene Wilder's Start The Revolution Without Me, Versailles the series and most recently, L'Empereur de Paris starring Vincent Cassel.

The exhibition features spectacular sets, dazzling period costumes, interactive activities, guided tours, astonishing virtual visuals, special effects make-up workshops, plus more surprises in store.

For all ages.

Less than an hour from Paris.

Vaux-le-Vicomte At The Movies 2018
(click on video)

 
- Visit website for schedule of candlelit evenings -

September 22 - November 4

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- Tomorrow: bird's eye view -



  Article: The Good Life France Magazine