Every Saturday, from June 1^st to September 28, 2024, the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte opens its doors for an experience exceptional, immersing visitors in an enchanting atmosphere. Since 1980, the castle has been a pioneer in organizing night visits illuminated by the soft glow of candles, thus offering an extraordinary immersion.

From 5:30 p.m., visitors are invited to a tour of the castle, bathed in subdued light which highlights the architectural beauty of Le Vau's work and the artistic richness of Le Brun's paintings. But it is at nightfall that the experience becomes truly magical: the 33 hectares of French gardens designed by Le Nôtre light up, enhanced by more than 2000 candles. An invitation to rediscover, for an evening, the splendor and wonder of the famous festival of August 17, 1661.

On the program for this magical evening, water games in the pools until 8:30 p.m., a free tour of the gardens and the castle, and also an immersive projection in the Grand Salon , where the monumental painting by Charles Le Brun, Le Palais du Soleil, comes to life before our amazed eyes.

But the high point of the evening undoubtedly remains the gold and silver fireworks, a grandiose spectacle inspired by the famous letter written by Jean de La Fontaine{ 25} to his friend Maucroix, recounting the celebration of August 17, 1661. Guided by the captivating voice of the French actor André Dussollier, visitors are transported 360 years back, to relive the brilliance and magnificence of this exceptional evening. The fireworks, the true apotheosis of the evening, are set off at 11 p.m., leaving a sparkling rain of light and magic in the sky.