geocalia
The French formal garden at Vaux-le-Vicomte, with the château in the backgroundJean-Pol GRANDMONT · CC BY 4.0

What to do · Vaux-le-Vicomte

Le Nôtre's Garden

Walk · 1 h 30 · 33 hectares of French formal garden · garden only €13.50 · dogs allowed on a lead

InformationFrom €13 adult
From
€13 adult
Duration
1 h 30
Season
Same dates as the château
Who it's for
All ages
With a dog
On a lead, in the garden, every day except Saturdays and event days; not in the château

André Le Nôtre's first great garden: 33 hectares of vistas, parterres, ponds and statues, designed to make the eye misjudge distances. From the château everything seems within reach; then you walk.

Practical details

Garden-only entry, €13.50. Since March 2026 dogs are allowed in the garden, on a lead, every opening day except Saturdays and event periods. There are electric buggies for hire for those who cannot walk far; the paths are cobbled and gravel. At Christmas, the garden is lit up with garlands and an ice rink.

With young childrenAs a familyWith a dog

Opening hours and prices can change: check them before you go.

Round off the plan

Where to eat, where to stay and what else to do

To eat nearby

The terrace of the Relais de l'Écureuil with parasols, in front of the old stables, full of visitors on a sunny day© Chris Marchesi para el Château de Vaux-le-VicomteSelf-service inside Vaux-le-Vicomte

Le Relais de l'Écureuil

Café · Maincy · estate entrance · €€€€

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
The dining room of R.Mana, with stone walls, white upholstered benches and laid tables© R.ManaA table for a special lunch before or after Vaux

R.Mana

Restaurant · Vaux-le-Pénil · on the outskirts of Melun · €€€€

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
The yellow façade of L'Entourloupe, with white shutters and flowerpots on the pavement© L'EntourloupeVillage bistro opposite a medieval castle

L'Entourloupe

Restaurant · Blandy · opposite the castle of Blandy-les-Tours

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

To stay nearby

A double room with a large bed, armchair and desk by the window© ibis Styles MelunHotel

ibis Styles Melun

Three stars · 54 rooms · Breakfast included · Free enclosed parking · Dogs welcome

Dogs welcome

Why we like it: Three-star hotel in Rubelles, 5 km from Vaux-le-Vicomte château, with 54 rooms, breakfast included and free enclosed parking.

The façade of the Villa Eugénie, with green shutters and a red maple in the garden© Villa EugénieSmall hotel

Villa Eugénie

Chambres d'hôtes in an 1880 house · 4 rooms and 2 apartments · Garden · Accueil Vélo

Why we like it: 1880 house in Melun with four guest rooms and two apartments, eight minutes on foot from the station and ten minutes by car from Vaux-le-Vicomte.

Country house

Ferme de la Recette

Working farm · 3 rooms · Gîtes de France 3 épis · Bienvenue à la ferme · Dogs welcome

Dogs welcome

Why we like it: Three guest rooms on a 17th-century cattle farm in Échouboulains, with a dovecote and courtyard, about 20 km from Vaux-le-Vicomte. From €80.60 a night.

From €80 / night View details

Itineraries

Features in these plans