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Fontainebleau and Vaux-le-Vicomte with a chauffeur: two châteaux, one day
South-east of Paris, about half an hour apart, two châteaux tell two sides of French royal history: Fontainebleau, home to sovereigns for eight centuries, and Vaux-le-Vicomte, the masterpiece built by Nicolas Fouquet. Linking them in a single day is easy when there is no train to catch.
How the day unfolds
Allow about an hour from Paris to Vaux-le-Vicomte near Melun, about half an hour on to Fontainebleau, and a little over an hour back. Your chauffeur drops you at each entrance and waits during the visits.
Vaux-le-Vicomte
Louis XIV’s finance minister Nicolas Fouquet brought together architect Louis Le Vau, painter Charles Le Brun and garden designer André Le Nôtre. After a famous party for the King on 17 August 1661, Fouquet was arrested weeks later, and the three artists went on to work at Versailles. Still privately owned, Vaux opens seasonally.
Fontainebleau
A UNESCO World Heritage site with its park, Fontainebleau offers the Renaissance François I Gallery, the ballroom, Napoleon’s apartments and the Farewell Courtyard with its horseshoe staircase, where the Emperor bade farewell to his guard in 1814.
Opening days
- Fontainebleau: closed on Tuesdays; 9.30 am to 5 pm from October to March, 9.30 am to 6 pm from April to September. Closed 1 January, 1 May and 25 December.
- Vaux-le-Vicomte: open seasonally, with a calendar published each year by the estate.
Candlelight evenings at Vaux
On summer evenings some 2,000 candles light the château and gardens, followed by fireworks. In 2026 they took place every Saturday from mid-May to late September; the 2027 calendar will be published by the château. Your chauffeur waits until the end and drives you back to Paris whatever the time.
Delegations and major events. We also handle major events: up to 300 chauffeur-driven vehicles coordinated for a single event (delegations, trade fairs, conferences, evening receptions), with one point of contact orchestrating every arrival with discretion.
Included as standard
- Meet and greet: your chauffeur waits with a name sign, always included.
- Complimentary waiting time: 15 minutes for a transfer, 30 minutes at a railway station, 1 hour at the airport.
- Tolls and parking included in the quoted price.
- Luggage assistance and child seats on request.
- Free cancellation up to 3 hours before pick-up.
- Payment by card or PayPal.
Day trip price
Mercedes E-Class sedanfrom€563
Mercedes V-Class vanfrom€800
From €563 in an E-Class sedan, €800 in a V-Class van, for a 8-hour day from Paris. Extra hour: €70 (sedan) / €100 (van). Tolls and parking included.
Book your day with a chauffeur
For a day trip to Fontainebleau and Vaux-le-Vicomte, we offer an hourly chauffeur service: the car and its chauffeur stay with you from departure until you are back at your Paris address. This day trip starts from €563 in an E-Class sedan and €800 in a V-Class van for 8 hours; each extra hour is €70 (sedan) or €100 (van). The exact fixed price is confirmed before you book.
Planning more outings? See our Paris events calendar.
More day trips from Paris
Fontainebleau and Vaux-le-Vicomte: your questions
Can we see Fontainebleau and Vaux-le-Vicomte in one day?
Yes, they are about half an hour apart by road. Leave Paris in the morning and return in the evening.
Which day is Fontainebleau closed?
The Palace of Fontainebleau is closed on Tuesdays, and on 1 January, 1 May and 25 December.
Is Vaux-le-Vicomte open all year?
No, it opens seasonally according to a calendar published by the estate each year.
Can the chauffeur wait during a candlelight evening?
Yes, he stays available throughout the evening and drives you back after the fireworks.
How long is the drive from Paris?
About an hour to Vaux-le-Vicomte and a little more to Fontainebleau, depending on traffic.
