denisea

So, I have been enjoying From Paris to The Past by Ina Caro. I have always wanted to go to Vaux le Vicomte but realize that the gardens will not be in bloom in December (right after Christmas). So with that said, still worth it to go? I love the history here as it was the downfall of one man and without it, Versailles would not have been built or might be quite different. Any thoughts on how much would be lacking during a visit in December?

Or, will we really not get the full effect of Vaux le Vicomte without the gardens at their best and maybe we should consider something else? The other thoughts we have are Chartres or Tours, possibly. We are already planning to spend a day in Strasbourg during this trip. We have seen most of what we want to see in Paris and have been to Reims, Barbizon, Chenonceau, Fontainebleu and Versailles previously.

For those who have been to these sites, what were your favorites and which would be least impacted by lack of flowers and green trees? Which are still well worth it even if the weather is a bit dreary.

PalenQ

by public transportation I have found it nearly impossible to get to Vaux-l-V without a several mile walk involved so plan on taking a taxi from the nearest train station.

Chartres would be my choice - at Christmas the cathedral will have a special look perhaps and in any weather is always thrilling. The Cathedral itself is the reason for coming here - THE Gothic cathedral in many ways - one of the first if not and known for its stunning stained-glass windows and the crypt with the holy relic in it.

Chartres is also a sweet regional town with little tourists as most tourists stick to the cathedral area it seems.

There are English tours of the cathedral daily.

http://www.cathedrale-chartres.org/en/,143.html

Dukey1

To get to the place by public transport you take the train to Melun and either wait for a bus or take a taxi.

The grounds are extensive and the interior is the usual over-the-top stuff you would expect. If you are into gardens obviously you won't get that.

Chartres...the cathedral which you can walk to from the train station.

I've been to both and glad I have so cannot say which might be worth more for you.

RonZ

Train and taxi are the simplest means for Vaux. The downfall of Foquet is a terrific story, and his presence is apparent in the chateau. You can see the spaces that were unfinished when Louis pulled them off.

Strasbourg is a beautiful and very unique city. Walking along the canals is a better alternative than taking a tour boat. Have lunch at Brasserie Flo.

ira

Hi D,

I would opt for Chartres in Dec.

nytraveler

Agree that in Dec Chartes - both cathedral and town would have more to offer.

I think you need to go to VleV when the gardens are in bloom.

Judy

We looked into going to Vaux le Vicomte early last December. We learned that it wasn't open every day and the convenient shuttle bus does not run off season. We decided to wait til we can go in spring or early fall.

We did go to Strasbourg and substituted Reims for VleV as some in our group hadn't been there and I can always enjoy champagne.

Christina

Reims might be a good idea, also.

I took a Parisvision day bus tour to Vaux le Vicomte which made the transportation easy and comfortable and the guide was excellent, actually. To be honest, the gardens were of no big interest anyway, they aren't anything special IMO. Maybe they've planted something more but when I was there maybe 5 years ago, the gardens were pretty plain and didn't consist of much, I don't even remember any flowers (mainly hedges). So for my trip, the chateau itself was the main interest anyway.

They don't seem to have the same day trip anymore, now they only have one that combines Fontainebleau and Vaux le Vicomte for 59 euro, except for those dinner things.

UrsulaGuinle

The alternative would have been to take the evening tour. Unfortunately not available from November till Spring.

Visiting the castle under the torch-like lights gives an entirely different impression to the place. It actually gives you a feeling of stepping back in the past. I lived in Paris many years and went there during the day a number of times but my memories of the night visit remains the best.

Underhill

Chantilly would be a good option--the château is quite beautiful, and the library is absolutely amazing. I wanted to take it home with me.

mamcalice

We absolutely love Chartres. I think you would get the full effect in December. The cathedral is exquisite and the town is charming. The train from Paris is quite direct and the walk from the train station to the cathedral is very short.

denisea

Thank you for your responses. i greatly appreciate your advice and experience! This is a good "problem" to have, of course.

Would love VlV and the candlelight tour, but already aware that it is not offered when we will be there. Sounds like it may be better to go there another time of year.

Again, we have been to Reims and love it but want to go somewhere we have not been before.

I had forgotten about Chantilly so will do some research on that, Chartres has always been on the to do list and feel like it would be enhanced by some Christmas spirit. I hear nothing but great things about the cathedral at Chartres....it is in the lead, at this point, I think.

Would love to hear more opinions.....

waterdog

D,
We have taken a day trip to Chartres. Easy to get to and a short walk from the train station. As an added bonus we were there on a market day which is always fun. We did not take the guided tour of the Cathedral but did see a lot. We will be in Paris next month and we are also looking at ideas for daytrips which is why this thread is very timely.

StCirq

Have you been to Auvers-sur-Oise? The town is interesting and well set up to show the locations of many of Vn Gogh's paintings, Vincent and Theo are buried up on the hillside with very unassuming gravestones, and the Impressionist exhibits in the château are fascinating.

I like the idea of Chantilly, also, and combining it with Senlis.

Christina

I liked Chantilly, also, but couldn't get excited about it in winter and wouldn't recommend it myself, if you have another choice (I mean as to when to see Chantilly). Because those gardens were much better than VLV IMO, and really part of the experience. That's another place that you can't get to by public transportation that easily. I walked from the train station, but it was over a mile, I'm sure. I like to walk, so that was fine in good weather. YOu'd have to take a taxi from the train station, and I don't remember any just sitting there when I was there as it is such a small town, but perhaps my memory is off. Not there there is anything wrong with taking a cab, but it's not right near the train station. I think there may be some bus, also.

I'd rather go to Malmaison in winter, now that house is really interesting (but I'm a big history buff) and the gardens aren't such a big deal there as part of the trip. And you can stop at La Defense on the way back, a lot of people never go there but I kind of like that arch, at least it's something different (they do have a good shopping mall there, also). YOu can get there pretty easy by bus from La Defense (to Malmaison) or RER to Rueil-Malmaison, then local bus (or taxi).
http://www.musees-nationaux-napoleon...24833_u1l2.htm

FrenchMystiqueTours

You've probably already seen my day trip list so I won't bother posting again (unless you ask) but as I'm sure you are aware there are loads of places you can go and if you book tickets ahead then you know that TGV trips open up a whole new world of places you could visit (Strasbourg, Dijon, Bruges etc.). But since it will be December while you are here and daylight hours short and weather not necessarily great, perhaps someplace with a bit of life would be good. I'll suggest two places I've never been to but would like to visit so perhaps you could consider Troyes or Auxerre. Both are reachable by TER trains so the ticket prices are fixed and no need to pre-book.

http://en.tourisme-troyes.com/

http://www.ot-auxerre.fr/page.php?lg=fr

That said, in regards to Vaux the history is so interesting that the gardens were really an afterthought to me. While they are pretty it's not like there are loads of flowers since they are your typical formal gardens. Well, maybe not so typical but you get the idea.

denisea

This may be the best thing about returning to Paris over and over....the endless options for new places to visit that are within reach from Pais.

More homework for me but fun homework to do.

chutney

We were also looking into visiting Vaux le Vicomte during our December trip. I contacted them inquiring about candlelight tours, but they stop in November. They did tell me that the Chateaux is all decorated for the Christmas holidays.

Christina

I've been to both Troyes and Auxerre, they are good possibilities as seeing vegetation isn't a big part of the trip (or at all). I think I found the Of course, you probably wouldn't want to go to Chartres is it isn't sunny, as that would kind of diminish the main purpose for going there. In AUxerre, the main points of interest are the cathedral (which also has good stained glass) and the abbaye.

chutney

I googled Vaux Le Vicomte at Christmas time and several things came up. Here is one:

http://www.myfrenchlife.org/2012/12/...ux-le-vicomte/

After reading several sites, I am planning on giving it a go. I don't think we will do a planned tour, but train the train there. It is only 30 minutes by train. They also mention that there are lights on the trees outside. It would be magical in the late afternoon or early evening and the chateau is also decorated with Christmas trees, etc.