Vaux-le-Vicomte Castle: Independent Day Trip from Paris with Chateaubus Shuttle

Embark on an independent day trip from Paris to Vaux-le-Vicomte Castle, the inspiration behind the Palace of Versailles. Explore the castle and gardens, and learn about the fascinating history of Nicolas Fouquet, King Louis XIV’s Minister of Finance.

Duration: 5 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte - the tour includes the shuttle bus round trip and the visit of Vaux le Vicomte castle , the french style gardens and the carriage museum
What's Included
  • Entrance ticket included
  • Complimentary round-trip shuttle from local train station
What's Not Included
  • Food and drinks
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • RER train ticket
Additional Information

Experience a self-guided journey from Paris to the Castle of Vaux-le-Vicomte, the inspiration behind the Palace of Versailles, through this package which includes entrance to the castle and return transport via the ‘Chateaubus’ shuttle from the local railway station. Your journey begins by traveling to the Melun railway station by RER (R) train…

Location
15 Av. Gallieni
Avenue Gallieni
Meeting point is in front of the " café de la gare" which is avenue Gallieni, in front of the pharmacy. the bus will be waiting there. Please check the shedules of the shuttle on our vaux le vicomte website (directions)
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.1
(32 Ratings)
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Laurencemt3772vr
Jan 3, 2026
Beautiful experience i - Beautiful castle. Superb Christmas decoration, beautiful garden. Only downside find a place in the parking lot. I recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lluh2016
Dec 23, 2025
A must-see trip when travelling to Paris, France. - I visited and picniced the beautiful castle with the inhabitants, which is beautiful as poetry, the Louvre Palace was created in reference to this castle. The place is large, but very few Chinese visitors - mainly for them: it is necessary to arrange an additional boat ride from Paris that takes almost 2 hours, it is unfortunate that unless you personally arrange or purchase a trip that includes transportation, the general travel agencies rarely recommend this trip.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Taxigrandparissud
Dec 22, 2025
Christmas party! - Visit the castle during Christmas! Christmas illuminations to do absolutely with family! Ice rink on site for the enjoyment of your children!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Terri_b
Nov 1, 2025
Vaux-Le-Compte chateau and gardens - Allow time for train ride to Melun, shuttle ride to chateau (check schedule…runs a few times a day) and about two hours for the visit. Same transportation back.
Review provided by Viator
Robfrata
Aug 12, 2025
If you love Art, go there without thinking. - This castle is easily accessible from Gare de Lyon (Paris). Our train took us just 23 minutes and then we took the chateaubus to Melun (arrival station). The ticket castle + bus to the castle (it starts right from the train station of Melun). The visit is really pleasant and full of beautiful artistic "surprises". If you know a little bit of the history of the castle you can only be ecstatic by what the work of man has managed to do in this place in a short time. Just wonderful. Go there, go there, go there without hesitation and take all the time you need to visit the wonderful interior and the extraordinary garden. Remember that the whole thing was built only with the strength of the arms, including the excavations. That's great! Wow!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Julia_l
Apr 23, 2025
Remarkable Charm - Vaux le Vicomte is a one of a kind masterpiece of a chateau, charming and manageable. Excellent shuttle service. A perfect destination for families to celebrate Easter. Has a true sense of magesterial uniquity.
Review provided by Viator
Norton_s
Apr 11, 2026
Trip to Vaux Les Vicomte - The communication as to what sort of bus to catch at the transit point was very limited so too the details of departure and return times. It took a lot of individual research. Messages to the provider seeking details the day before the journey were not answered. But once you got there it was an amazing 5 hrs. So much better than the Palace of Versailles
Review provided by Viator
Xavier
Dec 29, 2025
Mixed - The visit of Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte during the Christmas fairy season leaves a contrasting impression. On the one hand, the Christmas decorations, which are certainly spectacular, strongly impede the historical reading of the place. The original tapestries, furniture and atmosphere are largely hidden, and only a few rooms on the ground floor remain accessible. With children, in a magical and playful setting, the experience can undoubtedly be pleasant. However, for history and heritage lovers, the visit gives a feeling of incompleteness, even frustration. The gardens, on the other hand, remain magnificent and retain a real aesthetic power, although some statues would benefit from better maintenance. However, this is where one of the great positive points of the visit resides for me: the discovery, or rediscovery, of André Le Nôtre, whose genius is fully revealed in the composition of perspectives, the mastery of axes and the subtle dialogue between architecture and nature. Another highlight: the visit to the dome. Being able to observe the structure, climb the levels to the top and enjoy an exceptional panoramic view of the entire estate is both an instructive and a striking experience. Finally, one regret about the shop: too few in-depth or historical works, and too much emphasis on decorative objects and consumer products, at the expense of more demanding and enriching content.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Julie_d
Jul 15, 2025
Book with the Castle directly! - Booking with the Castle would have done exactly the same, even easier. It’s hard to reach Viator for schedule, bus times, very few departures at the end of the day! Super beautiful Castle, beautiful day!
Review provided by Viator
Barry_w
Apr 11, 2025
Disappointing day trip from Paris - Very poorly organized. We were suppose to meet our guide at a cafe & board a bus to the chateau. The meeting spot changing the morning of the trip. Emailed operator on several occasions with no response. Finally received a response directly from Viator, guide never showed but driver let us on with no ticket, once st the chateau ticket agent gave us our entry tickets & bus return but gave confusing details about how & where the tour started. The house tour via audio was jumble & a let down. The most enjoyable part of the day was 25 euro golf cart ride around tge gsrdens. Food in the courtyard was good but very limited menu.
Review provided by Viator
From $35
up to 8 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).