Parisplus - vaux-le-vicomte
 

We will be in Paris in September. I read postings about going to Vaux-le-vicomte with the Paris walks company and it sounded appealing. However, they don't run that tour in September. Has anyone used the Parisplus tour group? They have an evening visit to the chateaux which includes dinner. It could be fun, but who knows? We are normally independent travelers, but feel like not thinking on this trip, so want somone to take us there. If not Parisplus, any other ideas? Thanks for any help.

We were there in 2001 but stayed in Fountainebleau(sp). We took the train from Melun to Paris for a daytrip. So you could just do the opposite, take the train from Paris to Melun and then take a taxi to the chateau. No dinner there but it's still a nice day trip to a beautiful place!

Vaux-le-Vicomte is not that easy to get to by public transportation, so if you want to go, some bus company like that is best. I was there a month ago and went by Cityrama www.cityrama.com They did an excellent tour, and I think it was around $65. It was an afternoon tour, though.

Paris Walks didn't do that tour in June-July either that I noticed so I'm not sure when they do, or if that is just some private tour possibility. I don't know about Parisplus but compared to the day trip, I guess you are paying about $70 per person for dinner there as the total fee seems about $135 per person.

I found the chateaux interesting and attractive, but it's not one of the favorite things I have ever done when in Paris nor at the top list of chateaux I've visited (much preferred Fontainebleau). I wouldn't put it at the top of a list of must-sees that I would recommend to anyone going to Paris. Even though I've been to Paris many times, I ind of wish I'd spent the time and money doing something else that day, but now I know what it's like, anyway.

I think the RER to Melun and then taxi is the best option for those who do it on their own. I've read it's only 6 km from the train station, so the taxi shouldn't cost too much but I wouldn't want to fool with all that myself (and trying to get one to return). The drive there is not particularly attractive as it's on the major highways around Paris and in possible traffic jams (we were in one both ways). Also, with a bus tour you get a good personal guide -- the Cityrama guide was very good. I know there are some people who've said that they really liked Vaux-le-Vicomte a lot so obviously some put it at the top of a list of recommended activities and my reaction is only one opinion.

I myself would much rather dine in a nice Parisian restaurant and just go to the chateau during the day, but I never spend money on thos expensive tour-type dinner activities. In September, I imagine it will get dark rather early, so you won't see certain things about the chateaux that were at least some of my reasons for seeing it (general building architecture and grounds layout and panorama). However, they do charge a higher admission fee on those nights they light the candles, so I know some people enjoy seeing that, also. If you just have an evening to kill and that $130 isn't so much in your budget, I agree it could be a fun activity for you to dine there in a group and perhaps a unique activity if you like the candle idea.

I myself would rather go on a day when they have the fountain display, which is the 2nd and last Saturday afternoon of the month at 3 pm.

I don't know what dinner in that restaurant would be like or if it's worth that money because the part I was in was more of a simple cafeteria/tea salon place, but I think they had some other rooms for dinners.

I did the Pariswalks tour last October and it was wonderful. I think a day trip is better. You can walk from the chateau through the gardens and around this little stream and across to a beautiful hill opposite the chateau. According to the Vaux website, the evening admission is 15 Euro so you are spending quite a bit for transportation and dinner. It's your call, of course, but I would wait til you could go during the day for my first trip there.
Mara

Thank you for the information. This will be our sixth time we have rented an apartment for a week in Paris (happy to give info on this), and we love just walking around the city and visiting museums. We may want to take a daytrip outside Paris. I was thinking of vaux-le-vicomte because of prior postings, and didn't see the cityrama tour. Now I am thinking that Giverny or Fountainbleau would be a better choice. I think we will definitely try a Paris walks tour in the city!

Before I would pay $65 for a tour or whatever for the train, I'd rent a car for a day. That is an easy drive and you'll be free to roam the area. I've called EuropCar an hour before picking up a car for $65 for a whole day.

I am one of those who really enjoyed seeing Vaux le Vicomte and don't see the problem in getting there. Just take a train to Melun and then a cab to the chateau. The RER goes there also, but takes longer.

I freelanced Fontainebleau and Vaux-le-Vicomte last year. Fonatinebleau is a very easy freelance. We took the train from Gare de Lyon to Fontainebleau Avon and then rode a city bus right to the gates of the chateau.

Vaux was a little more difficult and expensive. The taxi ride for 2 of us to the gate was $20 each way, total of $40. We stayed for dinner and the night tour.

I was not that overwhelmed by the night tour. The place is lit by candles, but there is plenty of electric lighting. Otherwise walking the grounds would be risky with the various hedges, fountains, and the moat around the building.

I think the car idea is a good one.
You can rent a car for the day for what the taxi rides and the train fare would cost you. The advantage of the tour is that the guide we had the first trip out there was excellent. She made the trip very worthwhile with her knowledge. I asked a lot of questions and she always answered fully and fluently. If you are there to learn as well as to see, an expert guide can make a tremendous difference.

Also, in comparing the day versus night visits, I think that the day trip offers one feature the night trip does not: the cupola on top. We were able to ascend the stairs and see the construction of the dome and then emerge on top and take a brief look around. The engineering to put up that dome is astounding, considering it was built before all of these super cranes and power lifting equipment available to today's construction crews.

Also, at night, you don't see those reconstructed gardens as well. Andre Le Notre's genius has been faithfully restored, and to me the gardens and landscaping are as masterful as Le Brun's paintings and Le Vau's creativity as an engineer and architect.

In summary, if I had to pick a way to see Vaux, I would take a day tour.

We've spent a day driving to Vaux le Vicomte, Fountainbleu and Barbizon. They are all easy to get to by car from Paris. We did this on the day that France played Senegal in the world cup last year and we spent the afternoon in a cafe near Fountainbleu watching the game. Everybody in the cafe groaned when Thierry Henry was sent off and as the game went on with no goals the natives started to get restless and exuberent. Perhaps the wine and beer consumed. It was a memorable day. This is one of the reasons I prefer independent (no tours) travel.