3 Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte Nicolas Fouquet (1615-1680) is the tragic figure connected to this site. He com- missioned the most important artists of the day (Le Nôtre, Le Vau and Le Brun) to construct this 17th-century masterpiece and its superb garden. For a truly memo- rable experience, take the candlelit visit on Saturday evenings (May to Oct). 77950 Maincy. From Gare de l’Est to Gare de Verneuil l’Étang, then the shuttle bus Châteaubus. 01 64 14 41 90. Day visit: end March to early Nov: daily, 10am-5pm. Christmas season (end Nov to early Jan): Wed to Sun or daily during school holidays, 11am-6pm. Closed 4 to22 Nov 2019, 25 Dec, 1 Jan and 6 Jan to Palace mid-March 2020. Candlelit visit (early May toearly Oct): Sat, until 11pm.Daytime visit/fullof Versailles rate: €16.90. Candlelit or Christmas visit/full A Royal day out at Versailles! The golden rate: €19.90. Special visits (Easter, Grand Siècle, gates at the entrance set the scene. You Cinema): €17.90. www.vaux-le-vicomte.com begin by exploring the Palace: Hall of Mir- 4Medieval city of Provins rors, the State apartments ... The grounds, The medieval city of Provins is a Unesco designed by André Le Nôtre, are a master- world heritage site. Visitors can enjoy a piece of symmetry where the art of per- stroll along its ramparts and admire the Tour spective has achieved perfection. Here, César (Caesar’s Tower) and the Grange aux you can stroll at your leisure through the Dîmes (Tithe Barn). The city is also famous many groves, admiring ornamental pools, for its medieval shows featuring eagles, fountains and statues. Enter into the private knights and troubadours. world of kings and queens with a visit to the 77160 Provins. Provins Tourist Office. Grand and Petit Trianon, the theatre, with its 01 64 60 26 26. www.provins.net original machinery dating back to 1780, and the Queen’s Hamlet, which still echoes with 5Château de Fontainebleau the memory of Queen Marie- Antoinette. The history of this sumptuous chateau, like And why not round off your visit at the its architecture, has been influenced by Royal Stables (built by the architect Jules eight centuries of royalty, from the Capetian Hardouin-Mansart)opposite the Palace. dynasty to the Bonapartes. The horseshoe- Place d’Armes. 78000 Versailles. RER C shaped staircase, Marie-Antoinette’s bed Versailles – Rive Gauche. 01 30 83 78 00. and Napoleon’s throne are amongst its Passport (Palace + Domaine de Trianon + masterpieces. temporary exhibitions + gardens and park + 77300 Fontainebleau. 01 60 71 50 70. Galerie des Carrosses)/full rate: €20 (€27 on Daily, except Tues, 1 Jan, 1 May and 25 Dec. ‘Musical Fountains Show’ or ‘Musical Gardens’ Apr to Sept: 9.30am-6pm. Oct to March: 9.30am- days). www.chateauversailles.fr 5pm. Full rate: €12. Park and gardens: free. • PALACE: www.chateaudefontainebleau.fr Daily, except Mon, 1 Jan, 1 May and 25 Dec. 1 Apr to 31 Oct: 9am-6.30pm. 1 Nov to 31 March: 9am-5.30pm. Full rate: €18 (including audio guide and temporary exhibitions). • DOMAINE DE TRIANON: Daily, except Mon, 1 Jan, 1 May and 25 Dec. 1 Apr to 31 Oct: 12 noon-6.30pm. 1 Nov to 31 March: 12 noon-5.30pm. Full rate: €12. • GARDENS AND PARK: Daily. 1 Apr to 31 Oct: 7am/8am-8.30pm. 1 Nov to 31 March: 8am-6pm. 76 OUTSIDE PARIS