When we visited Vaux-le-Vicomte, it was part of a week-long bicycling and barging trip, so we arrived at the château by bicycle. That's not an option for everyone, so here are some other approaches.

If you have a car, Vaux-le-Vicomte is about an hour southeast of Paris, near the town of Maincy. There is free parking at the property.

Another option is to take the train from the Gare de Lyon to Melun, and from there take a taxi to Vaux-le-Vicomte. There are not a lot of taxis, and you may want to arrange for your return taxi trip before the driver drops you off.

On weekends from late March until early November, and at Christmas, the "ChâteauBus" coordinates with the train schedule and meets the trains and returns visitors later in the day.

Perhaps easiest, though more expensive, is to take a day trip with the PARISCityVISION bus, which leaves from near the Tuileries Gardens. This trip allows you to visit both Vaux-le-Vicomte and Fontainebleau in the same day. The two châteaux are just 24 kilometers (15 miles) apart and the drive between the two takes about half an hour. This service is offered from April through October.

Although it takes some planning to get to Vaux-le-Vicomte, it is a beautiful château that is well worth a visit. The lack of crowds and the relatively small size of the château make it possible to visit it at a leisurely pace.

---

Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte Château de Fontainebleau Paris Transport Excursions from Paris Châteaux of the Loire Where to Go in France Special Vacations in France