Vaux-le-Vicomte 2018

When we began to plan this year's visit to Paris, we were excited about all of the Christmas festivities.  We were most excited to see Vaux-le-Vicomte.  A few years ago when we visited at Christmas, we enjoyed a ride in a Ferris wheel located IN the grand ballroom of the chateau.  We wondered what we might see this year. 

Friend Catherine very graciously offered to drive us from the city to the chateau.  We planned to arrive at the opening.  It was bitterly cold.  But while the other visitors streamed into the chateau, we decided to start with the gardens which we had missed last time for lack of time. And no sooner had we walked to the far side of the chateau than Tom noticed a golf cart rental kiosk.  He rented a cart, and drove the three of us to the far side of the gardens and back again.  We had the grounds completely to ourselves -- not a single person was in the gardens before we finished our 45 minute ride.  Thanks, Tom!

The golf cart allowed us to go in places we never would have ventured on foot.   

 

And perhaps we went a few places we shouldn't, like fording this (very shallow) stream. 

By then we were chilled to the bone and hungry, so we beat the crowds and enjoyed a good lunch, mulled wine and hot chocolate before touring the chateau while the other visitors ate their lunches. 

And how lovely it was! 

This year instead of the Ferris wheel, it was a "hot" air balloon...

On our way out of the decorated portion of the chateau, we spied a table down a hallway.  On further investigation, we discovered that the woman there was selling tickets to the dome of the chateau.  Determined not to leave any aspect of the estate unexplored, we bought our tickets, and made our way to the top of the dome. 

 

The view was well worth the stairs. 

Now, chilled to the bone again, it was back to the cafe for mulled wine and hot chocolate, and then the drive home to Paris. 

Thank you Catherine for making it possible....