Chateau vauxlevicomtes rich history began in 1641 when french minister nicolas fouquet hired the most talented artisansarchitect louis le vau, painter charles le brun, and garden designer andre le notreto create an extravagant palace and estate that achieved perfect harmony in architecture, decor, and landscape. Maincy the picturesque village hidden in france, 55 km southeast of paris is a testament to 15th century france. The numbers differ as to how many of the guard were present on that occasion, imagine 500 to thousand in that courtyard. Unlike versailles, however, vauxlevicomte s turbulent history reveals a great deal of treachery and misfortune brought to its owners and, especially, its creator. Vaux le vicomte is well worth you time, ive visited it twice during the day, on one occasion at night. If you book with tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your. The feast legacy of vauxlevicomte fountain display practical information bibliography links. In addition to some pretty stunning photography, the book delves into the history of the estate, from fouquet through its modernday managers, who. A 17th century masterpiece, vaux le vicomte was the backdrop to many major historical events and witnessed the tragic eviction of its creator, nicolas fouquet, following an extraordinary trial. Chateau vaux le vicomte france i was given a book called decadent. This is a chateau with an exquisite and electrifying heritage. Built between the years of 1656 and 1661, it is a fine example of french classicism. The chateau is one of the settings of alexandre dumas novel the vicomte of. Vaux le vicomte is frequently used as a film set, and can be spotted in films, such as moonraker 1979, where it provides the setting for hugo draxs house.
Vauxlevicomte is open through november 11, and during the christmas season. Discover the history of vauxlevicomte through the centuries, in video. May 10, 2019 download your vauxlevicomte pocket guide here. Vauxlevicomte is a magnificent chateau approximately 60 km south of paris. Vauxlevicomte was closed down, and its treasures seized tapestries, furniture, paintings, books and rugs even the orange trees were removed by the king. In addition to some pretty stunning photography, the book delves into the history of the estate, from fouquet through its modernday managers, who actually grew up on the estate. Vaux le vicomte is one of frances more beautiful and most historic chateaux. Vauxlevicomte where magical beauty meets the turbulent. The closeup photos in this wee volume are very fine, but the book gives no sense of the scale of this historic property. Vaux le vicomte, the largest privately owned chateau in france, is classed as historical monument. The walk from the chateau to the statue of hercules took almost an hour. For the historian, architecture enthusiast or fracophile, this is a book to be savored. Vaux le vicomte\s rich history began in 1641, when infamous finance minister nicolas fouquet bought the estate and enlisted architect louis le vau, decorator charles le brun, and garden designer andr\u00e9 le n\u00f4tre to transform it into a lavish residence. It took madame fouquet ten years to recover the estate, to which she later retired with her eldest son.
To build his home, he enlisted the services of three of the greatest artists of the era. Vaux le vicomte is well worth you time, ive visited it twice during the day, on one occasion at. Vaux le vicomte \s rich history began in 1641, when infamous finance minister nicolas fouquet bought the estate and enlisted architect louis le vau, decorator charles le brun, and garden designer andr\u00e9 le n\u00f4tre to transform it into a lavish residence. Beautiful country chateau and very, very interesting history. The chateau vaux le vicomte is a hidden treasure of maincy for those who wish to have an exclusive lavish affair, it has been one of frances best kept secrets for four centuries. On saturdays from may to october, there are candlelight tours of the chateau and gardens, with dinner on the terrace. Ensconced in its elegant slipcase, this jewel of a book explores the history and the lore behind vauxlevicomte. Unlike versailles, however, vauxlevicomtes turbulent history reveals a great deal of treachery and misfortune brought to its owners and, especially, its creator.
This stunning french estate was so lavish that it landed its original owner in jail for the rest of his life. Vauxlevicomte, with its deluxe 17th century decor and outstanding french gardens is enchanting. The chateau of vauxlevicomte france and its incredible. Fontainebleau is the only royal and imperial chateau to have been continuously inhabited for seven centuries. Built in 17th century for louis xivs superintendant of finances, nicolas fouquet, the palace combines the talents of the best artisans and artists of the period.
In recent years, the estate has introduced new programs, events and attractions to provide a totally immersive experience for their guests. The beautiful chateau of vaux le vicomte in france has a fascinating history, find out. Vauxlevicomte, chateau near melun, france, designed in 1656 by louis le vau for nicolas fouquet, who was finance minister to king louis xiv. The french chateau vauxlevicomte was built in just five years from 1657 to 1661 by louis xivs minister of finance nicolas foucquet, halfway between the royal summer houses of vincennes and fontainebleau.
Oct 03, 2015 the history of any family home has a gravitational pull as a voyeurist historian myself, nothing could be more unearthly than the story of vaux le vicomte. Swirling boxwood parterres at chateau vaux le vicomte maincy, francia. Vaux le vicomtes rich history began in 1641, when infamous finance minister nicolas fouquet bought the estate and enlisted architect louis le vau, decorator charles le brun, and garden designer andre le notre to transform it into a lavish residence. About a 30 mins walk from the chateau is the napoleonic museum. Capetiens, valois, bourbons and orleans, all members of french ruling dynasties have lived within these walls.
Following his death, she sold the vauxlevicomte in 1705. Designed by louis le vau, decorated by charles le brun and with gardens laid out by andre le notre, the house was still partially unfinished on the 17th august 1661 when foucquet invited. The estate of vauxlevicomte is the fruit of a creative and passionate mind, that of nicolas fouquet. The original building was purchased as a small and not extraordinary chateau in 1641 by nicholas fouquet, a member of the french parliament. Vaux le vicomte is open through november 11, and during the christmas season. Vauxlevicomtes legendary landscape architect andre le. A 17th century masterpiece, vauxlevicomte was the backdrop to many major historical events and witnessed the tragic eviction of its creator, nicolas fouquet, following an extraordinary trial. Bus tour to vaux le vicomte and fontainebleau castles. Tripadvisor vauxlevicomte castle day trip with chateaubus. Vaux is a combination of three exceptional features. Maxwellbaynes christies international real estate 145,570 views. The vast area, le notres first masterpiece, is divided up into a sequence of terraces, forming an orderly composition of sculpted box gardens patterned after motifs from turkish carpets, bordered flower beds, shrubberies, grottos, lawns. See more ideas about french chateau, castle and mansions.
The gardens of vauxlevicomte sweep along a grand perspective, extending nearly a mile and a half 3km. The chateau, finished in 1661, is considered to be one of the masterpieces of french baroque residential architecture. Vaux le vicomte s rich history began in 1641, when infamous finance minister nicolas fouquet bought the estate and enlisted architect louis le vau, decorator charles le brun, and garden designer andre le notre to transform it into a lavish residence. Wellwritten, nicely illustrated guide to the chateau. Visiting the chateau is like taking a trip back in time. The result of this fraternal union was a work of unparalleled harmony and beauty. Vaux le vicomtes rich history began in 1641, when infamous finance minister. Share on tweet it pin it email this add to calendar 10032020 11. Vaux le vicomte strategically placed between paris and fontainebleau, it was the dream of nicolas fouguet, who was responsible for the creation of this architectural model of the 17th century which was never to be surpassed for its originality, symmetry and harmony, that this would be the perfect place for the court to pause in transit between.
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