Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte

Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte is an extravagant 17th-century French château, located in Maincy, France. It was constructed from 1658–1661, as a display of grandeur and wealth of the influential French Finance Minister to King Louis XIV, Nicolas Fouquet. As a whole, the château is a masterpiece of landscape design, architecture, and interior decorating. It inspired the king to design the more extravagant Palace of Versailles. The château features two courtyards, formal Garden à la française, the garden of Escaliers, a long perspective, a Large Parterre, and fountains and statuary. The château also contains a wonderful art collection, along with a dozen living rooms spread out over the main pavilion and the two smaller wings. Visitors are able to discover the château's fascinating sculptures, paintings, tapestries, furniture, and other priceless objects. The immense grounds make it the perfect place to explore on bike or foot.