A brilliant day today. We went to the Chateaux Vaux-le-Vicomte which is about 30 minutes drive from us. Bob and I have been twice before, John and Susan, never. We were very very happy to go back. You can read about our previous visits here: https://travelswithallie.blog/2020/07/24/visiting-chateau-vaux-le-vicomte/ for a great history of the place and also An Evening of Candlelight and Champagne at Chateau Vaux le Vicomte when we so much enjoyed a wonderful candlelight evening both in the gardens and in the house. It was so amazing. I cannot encourage you enough to visit this Chateau, even from Paris it is very easy. And to read about Nicolas Fouquet there and elsewhere. Fascinating tale of success, hubris and a spectacular fall.
Anyway, we arrived at about 1030. It had been raining, but as we arrived, it cleared up and was pretty sunny and hot. In fact, we were so lucky. The whole time we were – till about 3pm – it remained that way, and then as we walked to the car, the rain started again. It was also quiet. Last night was the candelight show so whether that made today quieter??? Anyway, very glad of it.
We walked down to the gardens on the logic we would see them while it was fine. We got to the golf cart hire place and decided to go with that. It was 25e for an hour and I tell you it was money so well spent. The gardens are enormous with all the woods around them in every direction. It’s the largest private estate in France. John drove – a first – and we zoomed around, enjoying all the amazing water courses and basins, fountains canals and right up to the huge gilded statue of Hercules which looks back up the Le Notre gardens to the Chateau. Just a great explore
After that we went into the house and toured that. The audio tour is one of the best I’ve experienced. It recreates the life of Nicolas Fouquet, the great financier and statesman of France who served Louis 14th and then fell from grace. He was the first to commission such a great Chateau and commissioned, artists, designers and Le Notre the landscaper to create the Chateau. The success of the estate led to Fouquet’s downfall but also to the same team creating Versailles. The Chateau is magnificent even today when it is no doubt a shadow of itself in the mid 1660s…. We thoroughly enjoyed it.
Afterwards we came out and we enjoyed a light lunch in the stables restaurant. I, of course, had a small cheese plate.
As we left the rain stated again but it was too late to spoil the day for us! We came home and after a short rest we settled down with g&ts, lovely aperos including roquefort biscuits topped with roquefort cheese and apple dice. I have to say the biscuits are amazing. I must buy some.
I cooked tonight and made a chicken pot au feu with chicken and vegetables bought yesterday in the market. YUM