Heritage Days: discover the château that inspired Versailles

On the occasion of this new edition of Heritage Days, come and visit the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte. On 19 and 20 September 2026, the landmark will offer a particularly exceptional program.

During the winter holiday season, the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte captivates us with its spectacular festive settings. In warmer weather, it’s the candlelit evenings that enchant visitors. And in autumn, the château offers yet another rendezvous, a well-known favorite among culture lovers...

The Vaux-le-Vicomte Castle is taking part in this new edition of the Heritage Days. On 19 and 20 September 2026, seize the opportunity to visit this château, built for Nicolas Fouquet, Louis XIV’s master of finances. The statesman wanted a palace worthy of his wealth and rank... to the point that the Sun King would reportedly have felt humbled by a palace so grand!

Centuries later, today’s visitors can admire a restored and furnished castle, rich in history, as well as gardens designed by André Le Nôtre, adorned with flower beds, fountains and statues. So seize Heritage Days to visit this important castle in Seine-et-Marne!

Please note that admission to the castle remains payable during this Heritage Days weekend, and some activities are also charged.

What’s on the agenda for these Heritage Days at the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte:

Upkeep of a historic estate
The technical services team at Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, introduced by Bastien Dugabelle, plays a crucial role in maintaining and safeguarding the estate. Their work spans plumbing, electrical tasks, carpentry, painting, and repairs to the buildings and facilities.

Working in a historic setting requires careful stewardship. Interventions must respect the old materials and the château’s architecture, while keeping the systems functioning smoothly. The maintenance crew must devise solutions that fit without altering the site's historic character.

This daily effort is essential to preserving the heritage, ensuring the estate's safety, and allowing visitors to experience the château in optimal conditions.
Conditions of participation : Workshop included in the estate's admission price - Accessible with either a Castle & Gardens ticket or a Garden ticket only - Special rate | No booking required
Hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 11:00 AM–4:30 PM
Workshops - "Frogs at the Fountain" and "Royal Frogs"
Let your imagination run wild in this clay‑making workshop. Shape your very own little frog from Vaux‑le‑Vicomme and take home your creation as a keepsake of the day. An workshop inspired by the famous Frog Basin of Vaux‑le‑Vicomme, offering a chance to discover this emblematic setting of the estate while letting your creativity flow.

Two workshops are on offer:

- Workshop Royal Frog (50 min) for children under 12 - Colorful self‑hardening clay sculpture and a small crown

- Workshop Frog at the Fountain (1h30) for teens (13+) and adults - Self‑hardening clay sculpture with tissue paper.
Participation conditions: Limited to 10 participants per workshop. The workshop is included in the castle admission price. Access with either a Castle & gardens ticket or a Gardens-only ticket. - Reservations required | Special reduced rate - https://association-les-amis-de-vaux-le-vicomte-wxwmzn4dnw9cj.assoconnect.com/collect/description/739301-m-les-journees-europeennes-du-patrimoine-atelier-de-sculpture-en-argile
Schedule: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.; 1:10 p.m.–2:00 p.m.; 2:45 p.m.–4:15 p.m.; 4:30 p.m.–5:20 p.m. | Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.; 1:10 p.m.–2:00 p.m.; 2:45 p.m.–4:15 p.m.; 4:30 p.m.–5:20 p.m.
Art fountainry: a craft to discover
How do the fountains and the hydraulic system at Vaux-le-Vicomte actually work? Alongside Luc Renault, the estate’s master fountainer, uncover the mysteries of this technical achievement. Take advantage of two privileged days of exchange, during which he will show you his tools and real pieces of fountain engineering. The perfect opportunity to go behind the scenes of “Retour aux Sources,” the major restoration project reviving the château’s basins.
Participation conditions: Workshop included in the estate's admission price - Access with either a Castle & Garden ticket or a Garden-only ticket - No advance booking required | Special rate
Hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. | Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Guided Tour - Secrets of the Curator
Heritage continues to thrive thanks to unique trades and expertise. Alongside Julie Defretin, conservation officer at the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, discover the behind-the-scenes of the conservator’s craft: preserving, studying, restoring, and passing on an exceptional heritage. Through two centuries of photographs, also dive into the history of Vaux-le-Vicomte and explore the estate’s transformations over time.
Participation conditions: Limited to 25 people per tour slot. The guided tour is included in the estate’s admission price — accessible only with a Château & Gardens ticket. Reservations required | Preferential rate - https://association-les-amis-de-vaux-le-vicomte-wxwmzn4dnw9cj.assoconnect.com/collect/description/739212-p-les-journees-europeennes-du-patrimoine-secrets-de-conservateur
Hours: Saturday, September 19, 2026 — 11:45–12:45, 14:15–15:15, 16:15–17:15 | Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 11:45–12:45, 14:15–15:15, 16:15–17:15
Conference — The trades of hydraulic heritage from yesterday to today: who are the water's artisans?
For European Heritage Days, we invite you to dive into the hydraulic craftsmanship of the Jardins de Vaux. From water diviners and fountain technicians of yesteryear to today’s engineers, plumbers, hydraulics specialists and restoration experts, discover how these artisanal and technical trades have been handed down and reinvented. Spanning historic feats and the pressing conservation challenges of today, this is a captivating journey behind the scenes of creating and preserving water heritage, presented by Frédéric Sichet, a landscape architect and garden historian.
Participation conditions: Conference included in the price of the admission ticket. Accessible with a Garden or Château & Garden ticket, bookable on the estate's website. Limited seating, 40 participants per session, advance reservation required. - Reservation required | Discounted rate - https://association-les-amis-de-vaux-le-vicomte-wxwmzn4dnw9cj.assoconnect.com/collect/description/739247-z-samedi-19-septembre-conference-les-metiers-du-patrimoine-hydraulique
Schedule: Saturday, September 19, 2026 – 1:30 PM–2:20 PM, 3:00 PM–3:50 PM, 4:30 PM–5:20 PM
A conversation with the owners: Inheriting a castle, a how-to guide
We invite you to an exclusive meeting with Alexandre and Jean-Charles de Vogüé, the co-owners of Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte. Enjoy a privileged, intimate moment to talk through the tasks they juggle on a daily basis.

On the agenda: a Q&A session about handing on such an heirloom, heritage at risk, and the major challenges of preserving it. A captivating conversation to discover the workings behind the scenes and the safeguarding of this masterpiece.
Participation terms: The event is included in the entrance ticket. Access is only with a château & garden ticket, bookable on the estate’s website. Limited availability, 18 participants per session, reservation essential. - Booking required | Special reduced rate - https://association-les-amis-de-vaux-le-vicomte-wxwmzn4dnw9cj.assoconnect.com/collect/description/739222-m-les-journees-europeennes-du-patrimoine-heriter-d-un-chateau-mode-d-emploi
Schedules: Saturday, September 19, 2026 - 3:00 PM ⤏ 4:00 PM | Sunday, September 20, 2026 - 3:00 PM ⤏ 4:00 PM
Guided Tour – Managing a Historic Garden
Join Sébastien Gégout, the château’s deputy head gardener, for a tour of a garden designed by André Le Nôtre. From its landscape layout to its famed perspective, you’ll discover how Vaux-le-Vicomte was conceived, along with the influences and philosophy of 17th-century gardens. Finally, dive into today’s challenges to learn how the grounds are maintained amid current constraints.
Participation conditions: The guided tour is included in the entrance fee. Access is available only with a Château & Gardens ticket, bookable on the estate’s website. Availability is limited to 25 participants per tour, with mandatory reservations. - Mandatory reservation | Special rate - https://association-les-amis-de-vaux-le-vicomte-wxwmzn4dnw9cj.assoconnect.com/collect/description/739298-a-visite-guidee-gestion-d-un-jardin-historique
Schedule: Sunday, September 20, 2026 — 11:30 ⤏ 12:30, 2:00 ⤏ 3:00 PM, 4:00 ⤏ 5:00 PM

Don’t stop there: many castles are throwing open their doors to visitors this weekend. Take the chance to see as many monuments as you can in just two days!

Heritage Days 2026: the castles of Seine-et-Marne (77) to visit
The European Heritage Days invite you to discover the region’s castles. In Seine-et-Marne, a rich programme awaits in these royal residences: here are the weekend outing ideas for September 19–20, 2026. [Read more]