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-7pm. Christmas season (end Nov to early Jan): Wed to Sun or daily during school holidays, 11am-7pm. Closed 1 Janand 25 Dec. Candlelit visit (early May to early Palace Oct): Sat, until midnight.rate: €16.50. Candlelit or Christmas visit/fullDaytime visit/fullof Versailles rate: €19.50. Special visits (Easter, Grand Siècle, A Royal day out at Versailles! The golden Cinema): €17.50. www.vaux-le-vicomte.com gates at the entrance set the scene. You 4Medieval city of Provins begin by exploring the Palace: Hall of Mir- The medieval city of Provins is a Unesco rors, the State apartments … The grounds, world heritage site. Visitors can enjoy a designed by André Le Nôtre, are a master- stroll along its ramparts and admire the Tour piece of symmetry where the art of per- César (Caesar’s Tower) and the Grange aux spective has achieved perfection. Here, Dîmes (Tithe Barn). The city is also famous you can stroll at your leisure through the for its medieval shows featuring eagles, many groves, admiring ornamental pools, knights and troubadours. fountains and statues. Enter into the private 77160 Provins. Provins Tourist Office. world of kings and queens with a visit to the 01 64 60 26 26. www.provins.net Grand and Petit Trianon, the theatre, with its original machinery dating back to 1780, and 5Château de Fontainebleau the Queen’s Hamlet, which still echoes with The history of this sumptuous chateau, like the memory of Queen Marie- Antoinette. its architecture, has been influenced by And why not round off your visit at the eight centuries of royalty, from the Capetian Royal Stables (built by the architect Jules dynasty to the Bonapartes. The horseshoe- Hardouin-Mansart)opposite the Palace. shaped staircase, Marie-Antoinette’s bed Place d’Armes. 78000 Versailles. RER C and Napoleon’s throne are amongst its Versailles – Rive Gauche. 01 30 83 78 00. masterpieces. Passport (Palace + Domaine de Trianon + 77300 Fontainebleau. 01 60 71 50 70. temporary exhibitions + gardens and park + Daily, except Tues, 1 Jan, 1 May and 25 Dec. Galerie des Carrosses)/full rate: €20 (€27 on Apr to Sept: 9.30am-6pm. Oct to March: 9.30am- ‘Musical Fountains Show’ or ‘Musical Gardens’ 5pm. Full rate: €12. Park and gardens: free. days). www.chateauversailles.fr www.chateaudefontainebleau.fr • PALACE: 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: 8am-8.30pm. 1 Nov to 31 March: 8am-6pm. 76 OUTSIDE PARIS