What’s On: Candlelight Evenings at Château Vaux-le-Vicomte

One of the highlights of the summer season in Paris is the Saturday candlelight evening at the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte. Just 35 miles southeast of the French capital, the château makes for a glorious respite from the bustle of the city. In fact, the castle was the inspiration for Versailles, as Nicolas Fouquet, Louis XIV’s Finance Minister, brought together an enviable triumvirate of designers to create his dream home. (The Sun King later enlisted the same dream team of architect Louis Le Vau, painter Charles Le Brun, and landscape designer André Le Nôtre for his palace in Versailles.)

Kicking off this Saturday, May 2 for the summer season, the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte invites guests to discover the estate illuminated with the flickering flames of 2000 candles. To see the 17th century chateau and jardin à la française is truly a sight to behold. Book a table at the temporary restaurant Les Charmilles, overlooking the gardens, or enjoy champagne and macaroons on the Diane Terrace, accompanied by Baroque music. To cap off a memorable evening, a spectacular fireworks display takes place at 10:50 pm. The estate closes at midnight on these sensational soirées.

The Candlelight Evenings take place every Saturday until October 3, 2015. The full-price ticket for the Candlelight Evening is  €19.50. There is reduced admission for students and seniors, and children under 6 are free. Tip: For easy booking, buy your tickets online at the château’s official website.