Vaux le Vicomte by candlelight seemed very impressive (at least on their website). My plans were to get a car rental to go there (last trains back to Paris leave too early and the minibus tours are too expensive ~180 euros/person).
We (my wife and I) wanted to make a day of it......can anyone suggest other nearby places to spend the day at before capping the day at the chateau? Is a Paris-Chartres-Vaux le Vicomte trip be too much for one day? Thanks.

Paris - Chartres - Vaux le Vicomte would be possible by car, but is not really "nearby." One is southeast of Paris, the other southwest. But if you don't mind driving a bit in between, it could be done, especially if you are not going to be rushing to get to Vaux le Vicomte early in the day. Have you considered Fontainebleau? That's more in the general direction you'd be headed.

We spent half a day in Fontainebleau and the other half in Vaux le Vicomte. They are both great and could easily be combined into one day.

You can visit Senlis, where "King of Hearts" was filmed.

OMG I'm so glad there's another fan out there of "King of Hearts", and I never knew it was filmed at Senlis! Wow, thanks.

On a recent trip to Paris we took a tour to Vaux le Vicomte. (Because husband's med. problems eliminated driving) Since we've always been independent travelers we were very wary. However, trip was lovely (just 6 people). We visited Barbizon, Fontainebleu and then V leV. All worth a visit. Especially Fontainebleu. I also recall from earlier travels that Senlis was a lovely stop. I'd get a red Michelin and scope out a neat place for lunch.

Hi Grandma

Am interested in visiting Barbizon. Would appreciate if you could gave me the directions of going there.

Thanks

Thanks for all the suggestions. We will definitely check out Senlis and Barbizon....wasn't sure if seeing two chateaus (V-L-V and Fontainebleau) would be too much of the same thing for one day, but you guys are giving it good reviews...worth re-considering...

TangYP... we were taken there on our tour so I really don't know the route! However, I gather Barbizon is a weekend get-away place for the affluent of Paris. Sort of like our Bucks County or rural Connecticut.... with all the history of the Barbizon School of painters. There's not a lot to see. I think it's a place you havve to stay awhile to appreciate. Visiting two chateaus was not a problem. In my humble opinion Fontainebleu is the more interesting in terms of history, furnishings, etc. V le V itself is not so grand but the gardens and grounds are wonderful. And, the history behind V le V is fascinating.