Château de Vaux le Vicomte celebrates Christmas with a never-seen-before decor. While the Château is closed in the winter, it opens some days from October 17, 2020 to January 3, 2021. The Voguë family welcomes little ones and grown-ups in a décor entirely devoted to Christmas holidays.

An enchanting visit for the greatest pleasure of couples and families looking for magical and exceptional moment in the gardens à la française. For this 15th edition, the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte shines a light on celebrations and splendors and sees things big: 20,000 gifts given to children, 4,000 meters of light strings, a 3.5-m tall lit angel... This Christmas promises to be fantastic!

When you arrive, meet festive bears who took over the carriages of the carriage museum. Sketches with 70 bears lent by Histoire d'Ours entertain visitors. To be in the mood, inhale deeply and enjoy the hints of honey and chocolate, and be amazed by the outdoor decorations and giant wooden toys.

This year, the Château is not open, but there are many things to enjoy in the gardens of Vaux-le-Vicomte. Walks, entertainments, treasure hunts, and other surprises to make of this day a day to remember.

We are greeted in the gardens by a five-meter-tall squirrel, emblem of the first owner of the place, Nicolas Foueut. A bit further, a gourmet bandstand, on the terrace of the stoup, with giant toys made of wood (pick-up-sticks, tic-tac-toe, Connect Four...) are available for free.

Novelties expect us all this year! Children are likely to love the quest for the sword taking them across the estate. Each lit sword unveils an enigma so that they can find the other step. At the end of the day, children will be given a snack and a surprise gift at the gift cabin so that they can leave with a souvenir from this magical day!

Even better: sweet-toothed visitors are invited to take part in the tasty watch from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Each child will be given some marshmallows to toast above one of the braziers of the terrace of the orangery.

Last but not least and for the first time, the estate provides you with water sets performed daily from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. (excluding December 25 and January 1).

It is also the occasion to enjoy a walk in the garden thought up by Le Nôtre, it’s covered in a multitude of light garlands lighting up at nightfall and making box trees and lawns sparkle while a 5-m squirrel rules over the gardens à la française: for a unique moment, horse-drawn-carriage rides for an additional cost.

If you prefer, you can only visit the garden and attend the show, a Garden pass is available for Fall Break only, for €9. It gives you access to the Musée des Equipages, the entertainments in the garden (wooden toys, treasure hunt, wish tree), to the children's gifts and the monumental screening.

And do not miss the monumental light show on the chateau's façade at nightfall. The mapping tells you about and reinterprets in a poetic and artistic fashion and in five scenes, the highlights of the story of Vaux-le-Vicomte. Several 8-minute shows are performed every evening making the architecture of this unique place come to life.

Twice a day and untill December 31, go and look for the golden hazelnuts hidden in the gardens and try and win a very beautiful gifts! They are added to the surprise gift children until 17 years get at the Chalet des Grilles d'Eau. And make the most of it and hang a wish in the wish trees set at the Grilles d'Eau.

In short, here is how to be amazed and left in awe.

Careful! Christmas 2020 event will be only available by booking, we invite you to book tickets in advance to make sure you have the timed admission you want. We thank you for your understanding. Yearly pass, Les Amis de Vaux-le-Vicomte card or invitation holders will also have to book their tickets online and add in their basket a "free" ticket.

For more ideas to celebrate Christmas in Paris, check our guides out:

• Christmas in Paris 2020, outing ideas
• New Year’s Eve 2021 in Paris, outing ideas
• Christmas Markets 2020 in Paris
• Ice skating rinks in Paris and Ile de France
• Christmas lights in Paris
• Best winter bars, terraces and restaurants
• Christmas windows in Paris
• What to do with children during the Christmas break in Paris?
• Christmas shows
• Celebrating Christmas Eve in Paris
• Celebrating New Year’s Eve in Paris
• Christmas brunch 2020: our selection of restaurants
• New Year’s Day brunch 2021: our selection of restaurants
• New Year’s Eve in Paris, parties
• New Year’s Eve dinner: our selection of restaurants