An often overlooked destination, Vaux Le Vicomte, provides a rich history and aesthetic similar to that of Versailles. This full day excursion in the company of an art historian will introduce you to the chateau and the surrounding gardens.
On August 17, 1661 Nicolas Fouquet, Louis XIV's trusted finance minister gave an unforgettable party at his estate at Vaux le Vicomte. The young king heard extraordinary music performed by Lully, dined on delicacies prepared by celebrity chef Fançois Vatel, and watched one of Moliere's plays, "Les Faucheaux" performed for the first time. These ephemeral events unfolded at the chateau and gardens designed by the most talented artists of the seventeenth century: Andre Lenôtre, Charles Lebrun and Louis Levau. Three weeks following the festivities, Fouquet was arrested for embezzlement and his entire artistic team was commissioned to create the Sun King's new palace at Versailles. Vaux le Vicomte remains an exceptional monument to the arts of the seventeenth century France and this Out Of Context event will not only recount the story of Nicolas Fouquet at Vaux le Vicomte, but also explain the significance of the chateau from the seventeenth century to the present.
Our Out Of Context event will begin at Blandy Les Tours, a small town located five kilometers away from Vaux le Vicomte. We will have a picnic lunch at Blandy where we will see the ruins of a medieval fortress. Blandy les Tours was begun in the 6th century, and became a fortified chateau in the 12th century. This will prepare us for the radical transformation from fortified chateau to country house living at Vaux le Vicomte. Upon arrival at the chateau, we will visit the beautifully restored interiors examining not only the original paintings and wall decorations by Charles Lebrun, but also the decorative arts on display. We will continue our discussions of Nicolas Fouquet and the party at Vaux in August in 1661 by exploring the French formal gardens perfected by Andre Lenôtre at this exceptional site. Depending on time and availability, we will rent golf carts that will make the gardens more accessible, and easily visited.
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