Le Relais de l'Écureuil
What to order: the children's menu and a sweet treat for an afternoon snack
At the entrance to the estate, with high chairs and microwaves for families
geocalia
Day itinerary · 48.57° N · 2.71° E
Two châteaux in a day, Fontainebleau and Christmas at Vaux-le-Vicomte, an hour from Paris.
The Fontainebleau palace in the morning, lunch in the centre and, 20 km away, the Grand Noël at Vaux-le-Vicomte, with decorated salons, an ice rink and the illuminated façade.
Leaving from
Direct flight to París fromAsturias 1 h 45Barcelona 1 h 45Bilbao 1 h 45Santander 1 h 45Madrid 2 hPalma de Mallorca 2 hSantiago de Compostela 2 hValencia 2 hAlicante 2 h 15Ibiza 2 h 15
Part of Vaux-le-VicomteChristmas markets of Europe
Add to my trip
Total time11 h
By car1 h each way
From ParisCar · 1 h
Grand Noël14 Nov 2026 – 3 Jan 2027
DifficultyEasy
Cost€80–120 pp
ClosedMonday and Tuesday until 18 Dec
With childrenYes
The plan
The day at a glance
Any part can be swapped for another without spoiling the day.
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Leave Paris 1 h by car
A6 towards Fontainebleau
- 1
- 10 min on foot
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2
Gina, at the Hôtel de Cavoye In Fontainebleau
opens every day at midday
36 rue Paul Séramy, 77300 Fontainebleau · +33 1 60 70 20 00
Restaurant €€Book - 30 min by car22 km
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3
The Grand Noël at Vaux-le-Vicomte
book with a time slot · from €25.90 · free parking
- 5 min on foot
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4
Le Relais de l'Écureuil
afternoon snack and marshmallows by the fire, no supplement
Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, 77950 Maincy
Café €Book - 5 min on foot
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5
Le Nôtre's Garden
projection on the façade at 18:00, 18:30 and 19:00 · ice rink €5
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Back home 1 h by car
in Paris around 20:15
Approximate cost
About €30–55 per person
Adds up the activities and meals in the plan at their published prices; travel and accommodation not included.
The route
The Palace of Fontainebleau, from Francis I to Napoleon
Vaux-le-Vicomte and Fontainebleau are about 20 km from each other, south-east of Paris. At Christmas they join into a very full day: the kings' palace in the morning and, in the afternoon, the Grand Noël at Vaux, which is best enjoyed as it gets dark, with the illuminated garden and the projection on the façade.
The day, hour by hour
8:45 · Leave by car. An hour along the A6 to Fontainebleau.
9:30 · Fontainebleau palace. At opening, two hours for Francis I, Marie Antoinette and Napoleon. €17, free for under-18s.
12:15 · Lunch at Gina. In the Hôtel de Cavoye, in the centre; open every day at lunchtime.
14:00 · The Grand Noël at Vaux-le-Vicomte. Half an hour by car and free parking. The salons, decorated as a journey around the world, with a booked slot. From €25.90 on weekdays (€20.90 for ages 3 to 17).
16:30 · Afternoon snack. At the Relais de l'Écureuil, at the entrance, and marshmallows toasted by the garden fire, no supplement.
18:00 · The illuminated façade. An eight-minute projection at 18:00, 18:30 and 19:00, and an ice rink for €5. Children do the treasure hunt with their passport.
19:15 · Return. In Paris around 20:15.
Is it for me?
If you are travelling with children in November or December, it is one of the best days from Paris. Without a car, Vaux has a Christmas shuttle from Cour Saint-Émilion (leaving at 14:00, returning at 19:00); in that case leave Fontainebleau for another day.
Time2 h
Where to eat
Where to eat?
Lunch is half the plan: book before you set off.
R.Mana
What to order: the Wednesday to Friday lunchtime menu, from €33, and the Grand Marnier soufflé for dessert
Closed Monday and Tuesday; Sunday brunch only, by reservation
L'Entourloupe
What to order: ask about the dishes of the day and the local beers and house cocktails
Open Wednesday to Sunday; on Sunday, from 11:00 to 18:00
Map
The stops, in order
With where to park at each one.
What to do
Eat
88 €Stay
Services
Getting there
By car or without one?
When to go
When to go to Vaux-le-Vicomte
From 14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, Wednesday to Sunday until 18 December and every day of the Christmas holidays (except 25 December and 1 January). Avoid Tuesday: the Fontainebleau palace is closed too.
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Best timeGood timeLow season
Tips
Worth knowing first
- 1Book the slot
The Grand Noël requires online booking with a time for the château.
- 2Gloves
For the ice rink, the château recommends them.
- 3Neither Monday nor Tuesday
Until 18 December, the Grand Noël is closed Monday and Tuesday; Fontainebleau, Tuesdays.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How much does this day cost?
Between €80 and €120 per person with the two tickets, lunch and snack, without petrol.
Can I go to Vaux-le-Vicomte without a car at Christmas?
Yes, with the shuttle from Cour Saint-Émilion, with booking.
What time is the projection?
At 18:00, 18:30 and 19:00; on 24 and 31 December, at 17:40.
More plans like this
Other days of walking and good food
geocalia.com/en/france/ile-de-france/vaux-le-vicomte/itineraries/fontainebleau-and-vaux-grand-noel-from-paris
Prices, opening hours and times are approximate: check them before you go. Each place has its own page on Geocalia.