This full-day trip from Paris takes you to the Vaux-le-Vicomte and Fontainebleau châteaux for guided tours of the castles and a chance to explore their gardens. Set off from Paris at 09:15 on the hour-long drive to Vaux-le-Vicomte, the château that inspired King Louis XIV to build his Versailles Palace. A masterpiece of mid-17th century classical architecture, the château and its grounds were created by 3 talented artists working for Nicolas Fouquet, a rich, high-ranking French official and Louis XIV's Superintendent of Finance. The 3 artists were the painter and decorator Charles Le Brun, the architect Louis Le Vau, and the landscape gardener André Le Nôtre. With an audio guide you’ll explore Nicolas Fouquet's private apartments, the state rooms, and the château's great kitchens and vaulted cellars. Enjoy a stroll through the stunning French-style formal gardens on the estate’s 86-acre grounds, featuring sculpted bushes, lakes, and multicolored flower beds. If you like you can eat lunch on the lawn or in the Vaux-le-Vicomte restaurant. You’ll leave Vaux-le-Vicomte at 13:30 for the second part of the tour, heading to the heart of the forest of Fontainebleau. Fontainebleau is the only royal château to have been continuously inhabited for 7 centuries. Dating back to the 12th century, it was one of the residences of French rulers from Francis I to Napoleon III. During your audio-guided visit, you’ll explore the richly furnished château, admiring its unique collections and key pieces such as the throne of Napoleon I and the famous horseshoe-shaped staircase. You’ll also see the spacious private apartments. After the tour, you’ll have time to explore the vast grounds surrounding the château, as well as its 3 lovely gardens. Departure from Fontainebleau is scheduled for 17:00, with arrival back in central Paris at around 18:15.

Get priority entrance to Fontainebleau, the only royal and imperial château to have been continuously inhabited for eight centuries. On top of exploring chapels, galleries and guest apartments which would have been used by French and visiting royalty, you will see Marie Antoinette's bed, Napoleon's throne, François Gérard's 1807 portrait of Empress Josephine and more! Wander through over 1500 rooms and 130 acres of parkland and gardens, including the the French Renaissance garden, inspired by the Italian Renaissance gardens; the French formal garden, the favorite style of Louis XIV; and the French landscape garden, inspired by the English landscape garden. You will also be able to visit the museums and feel what it must have been like as a king or queen growing up here.

Enjoy skip-the-line access to over 60 museums and monuments in and around the city of Paris including the Louvre Museum, Orsay Museum, and Centre Pompidou with the Paris Museum Pass. Choose from 2, 4, or 6-day options with the pickup point conveniently located a mere 10-minute walk from the Louvre. Benefits of the pass include free admission to many attractions, sights, and museums. In Paris: Arc de Triomphe Musée de l’Armée Tombeau de Napoléon 1er Centre Pompidou Musée national d’Art modern Musée national des Arts asiatiques Guimet Les Arts décoratifs Musée des Arts et métiers Musée de l’Assistance Publique, Hôpitaux de Paris Musée du quai Branly Musée Picasso Paris Chapelle expiatoire La Cinémathèque française Musée du Cinéma Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie Conciergerie Musée national Eugène Delacroix Musée des Égouts de Paris Musée du Louvre - Musée national de la Marine Musée de la Monnaie Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine Musée national des Monuments français Musée Gustave Moreau Musée national du Moyen Âge, Thermes et hôtel de Cluny Cité de la Musique, Musée de la Musique Crypte archéologique de Notre-Dame Tours de Notre-Dame Musée national de l’Orangerie Musée de l’Ordre de la Libération Musée d’Orsay Panthéon Musée des Plans-reliefs Musée de la Poste Musée Rodin Sainte-Chapelle Outside Paris: Musée de l’Air et de l’Espace Musée d’Archéologie nationale de Saint-Germain-en-Laye Musée national de la Céramique de Sèvres Abbaye royale de Chaalis Musée et domaine nationaux du Château de Compiègne Musée Condé, Château de Chantilly Musée départemental Maurice Denis Château de Fontainebleau Château de Maisons-Laffitte Musée national des Châteaux de Malmaison et Bois-Préau Château de Pierrefonds Musée national de Port-Royal des Champs Château de Rambouillet Musée national de la Renaissance Château d’Ecouen Maison d’Auguste Rodin à Meudon Basilique cathédrale de Saint-Denis Villa Savoye Musée national des Châteaux de Versailles et de Trianon Château de Vincennes

Discover two of the most beautiful and historically interesting castles in the Paris region on this small group day trip. You’ll visit the lovely Chateau and gardens of Vaux-le-Vicomte, where the “jardin à la francaise” was born and then explore the regal splendor of Chateau de Fontainebleau where more than seven centuries of kings and emperors lived and created history.  Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte, with its deluxe 17th century decor and outstanding French Gardens is enchanting. It is so beautiful that it directly inspired the Sun King to build the Palace of Versailles, in order to rival it. You’ll learn about the captivating history of the estate and its past owners, wander through the perfectly ordered French Gardens and enjoy free time to explore the inside of the Chateau. Chateau de Fontainebleau is unparalleled in its extravagant architecture and links to important events in French History. With more than 1,500 rooms inside, it is a sumptuous palace and according to Napoleon Bonaparte "The true home of kings, the house of ages". It was home to three dynasties of Kings, a Pope and two French Emperors and as such is truly unique among the castles in Europe. You’ll explore its majestic halls, extravagantly gilded rooms, beautifully decorated Chapel and learn its fascinating history.

Discover Château de Fontainebleau with an entry ticket and guided tour. Hear about the castle's history from your private guide, visit the grand apartments of the monarchy, and marvel at the immense ballroom. Meet your guide outside the palace and head inside. As you stroll, learn about the rich history of this impressive palace and how it morphed from a royal hunting lodge to the family home of the kings. Marvel at Italian Renaissance works from Primaticcio and Il Rosso, the founders of the School of Fontainebleau. Continue to the monarchs’ luxurious apartments, furnished in different styles from the Renaissance to the 19th century. Next, head to the impressive Francis 1st Gallery, decorated with frescoes and stucco in the Renaissance style. Then pass the impeccably decorated ballroom. Finish with a visit to the apartments of Emperor Napoleon Ist, including the beautiful imperial bedroom.

Travel to the home of France's royalty since the Middle Ages, Fontainebleau Castle and enjoy one of France's most popular tourist destinations. Take in amazing views of the forest of Fontainebleau before returning to Paris in an air-conditioned minibus. Leave Paris behind for an afternoon getaway into France's past. Let the friendly and knowledgeable driver-guide pick you up from a centrally located office in Paris, aboard an air-conditioned minibus and whisk you away to Fontainebleau Castle, home to France's Kings, Queens, Emperors and Empresses since the Middle Ages. Enjoy the treasures preserved at Fontainebleau Castle, the royal residence from the 12th century. Visit Napoleon's apartments on the first floor, where you can see a lock of his hair. See the decor of the François I Gallery, one of the most beautiful galleries in France. View the Trinity Chapel, the King's bedroom and Throne Room, the only remaining Throne Room in France retaining its original furniture. Enjoy some free time to wander through the Chateau's gardens. Discover the English Garden, formerly the Pine Garden, and visit the mirror-like Carp Pond. Stroll through the Grand Park, with linear paths, star-shaped crossroads and a large canal built under Henri IV. After uncovering the wonders of Fontainebleau, take in amazing views of the forest of Fontainebleau before returning to Paris in the air-conditioned minibus.