# Day trip to Vaux-le-Vicomte from Paris: Fontainebleau in the morning and the Grand Noël at nightfall

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.

Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/france/ile-de-france/vaux-le-vicomte/itineraries/fontainebleau-and-vaux-grand-noel-from-paris · Revisado: 2026-11-12

## El día
- 08:45 · Salida: 1 h by car (A6 towards Fontainebleau)
- 09:30 · The Palace of Fontainebleau, from Francis I to Napoleon, en Fontainebleau (palace opening · 2 h)
  - 10 min on foot
- 12:15 · Gina, at the Hôtel de Cavoye, en Fontainebleau (opens every day at midday) · Gina, at the Hôtel de Cavoye, €€
  - 30 min by car, 22 km
- 14:00 · The Grand Noël at Vaux-le-Vicomte (book with a time slot · from €25.90 · free parking)
  - 5 min on foot
- 16:30 · Le Relais de l'Écureuil (afternoon snack and marshmallows by the fire, no supplement) · Le Relais de l'Écureuil, €
  - 5 min on foot
- 18:00 · Le Nôtre's Garden (projection on the façade at 18:00, 18:30 and 19:00 · ice rink €5)
- 19:15 · Vuelta: 1 h by car (in Paris around 20:15)

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.

## Cómo llegar

### By car
A6 to Fontainebleau, an hour; from there to Vaux-le-Vicomte, about 22 km. Free parking at Vaux.

### Without a car
Vaux only: the Grand Noël shuttle leaves at 14:00 from Cour Saint-Émilion, metro 14, with a ticket that includes admission.

## Consejos

### Book the slot
The Grand Noël requires online booking with a time for the château.

### Gloves
For the ice rink, the château recommends them.

### Neither Monday nor Tuesday
Until 18 December, the Grand Noël is closed Monday and Tuesday; Fontainebleau, Tuesdays.

## Preguntas frecuentes

### 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.