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.

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.