Fontainebleau & Vaux le Vicomte Private Tour from Paris

Without delay head to a 50 minute ride for a Fontainebleau and Vaux le Vicomte Castles Private Tour to open up a clear view of French history, art and architecture.

Once arrived, start your private guided visit at Vaux-le-Vicomte Castle, a 17th century gem a source of inspiration for the creation of Versailles and the place where the André Le Nôtre french style gardens were born. Learn about the rise and fall of Nicolas Fouquet, the ambitious Minister of Finances, who bought and majestically transformed it into one of the most beautiful in France. Wander around the ordered Gardens and enjoy your guided tour inside of the Chateau. Go up to the 25 meter high central dome for a delightful 360° view over the castle domain.

Later, after a stop for lunch in Vaux or Barbizon village, head to Fontainebleau Castle, hunting lodge and royal residence for around 8 consecutive centuries: 2 emperors and 34 kings, thus,  a rich eclectic architecture renovated throughout time. As a favorite French king's residence, the castle of Fontainebleau is one of the most furnished castles in Europe with important Renaissance masterpieces commanded by King Françis I. Subsequently, it was richly restored by Napoleon I who introduced imperial symbols to join the royal ones. Moreover, don't miss the Trinity Chapel, the King's bedroom and the Throne Room, the only remaining Throne Room in France with its original furniture.

Later, take a stroll around the vast castle domain with a diversity of shapes, colors, structures, angular gardens mixing styles of the eras they were built in. The park, created during the reign of Henry IV, foreshadowed the Grand Canal of Versailles to created half a century later and the french style gardens, called Grand Parterre which is the largest formal garden in Europe!

Ultimately, end your itinerary stopping by the traditional 19th century village of Barbizon formerly home to landscape painters, like Corot and Millet, precursors of Impressionism. An authentic “painter's village”.