It all started with a man for whom there were hardly any limits, at least that is what he thought. He was Nicolas Fouquet, Marquis de Belle Île, Viscount of Melun and Vaux, the superintendent of finances of Louis XIV, who commissioned the architect Louis Le Vau, the landscape architect André le Nôtre, and the painter Charles Le Brun to create the complex of the château and gardens. As we know, the result was breath-taking, but for King Louis XIV it was too much. The estate was put under sequestration and the king appropriated to himself tapestries, statues and all orange trees. Fouquet was imprisoned for life. As we all know, the King used it as an inspiration to realise a much larger project with the same main artists, Versailles.

Later Mme Fouquet recovered the place but sold it in 1702. After several owners and severe neglect it was bought in 1875 by Alfred Sommier, ancestor of the present owners, who brought it into life again.

Vaux-le-Vicomte is also a venue for film & photo shooting, cultural, corporate and private events, such as concerts, receptions, weddings...

For more detailed information concerning history, visits and events, see website.