Tour of One of the Most Iconic French Chateaux: Vaux-le-Vicomte - with its Co-Owner.

Exclusive Tour of one of the most beautiful French Chateaux, guided by Alexandre de Vogüé, co-owner of Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte.
You will discover the story of Nicolas Fouquet - Superintendent of Finances of the king Louis XIV - who built this castle with 3 artists: Louis Le Vau (architect), Charles Le Brun (painter and interior designer) and André Le Nôtre (for the garden).
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. Speaker: Alexandre de Vogüé, co-owner
. Shooted & Edited by Olivier Schweizer - So Châteaux
. Date: Summer 2020.
Contact: [e-mail]

[@nancyehuston]

I have visited this chateau many times with my French students and told them the story of this magnificent home. You have taken us to places in the chateau that I have never seen. I am so pleased to know that the Grand Salon will have its ceiling restored. I love this grand chateau and feel that today Fouquet has finally been vindicated by the dedication to restore it as it was. Thank you Alexandre de Vogue for the tour and your family's restoration efforts spanning generations.

[@nickhannie7347]

What kind of families owned Chateaus? I’d love to live in one.

[@Mefistofeles_]

The palace is beautiful, and the history of its original owner is so interesting. It's like a period drama, with brave musketeers and beautiful ladies in pretty dresses, palace intrigues between nobles under the authority of the King. But the best is the guided tour of the current owner. It is wonderful to listen to a man who tells us with such pride and interest the history of the Chateau. It must be a delightful privilege to have him give you a guided tour telling you every interesting detail about the Chateau's history and the restorations he and his family have carried out over the years. I think I could listen to him talk for hours. I'm glad Vaux-le-Vicomte is in good hands. Also, I'm glad it's private.

[@Engelhafen]

This property is beyond a masterpiece. Best wishes for restoration and preservation

[@lisaakinlabi]

Love the little clock room. I just love the little hidden surprises that make up a chateau.

[@ROFO79]

My brother and nephews just visited the Chateau. We all live in New Orleans in the United States. I named my son after Nicolas. I look forward to visiting soon. Such a shame Nicolas Fouquet’s history is not better known. Thank you for retelling his story, so eloquently and keeping the property open to the public.

[@MelliaBoomBot]

I moved to France 8 years ago and lived near here. The chateau does incredible Christmas displays. And I mean almost every room is a classy and beautiful display of Christmas decorations, It is astounding the work that must go into it. Beautiful 🥰

[@cynthialambert9067]

What pity they lost the boxwood parterres. The last time I was at Vaux, I admired them greatly. Those were so beautiful. There are plants that can replace box that are being used now, that are not vulnerable to blight. Perhaps the parterres can be recreated.

[@lolab6712]

I love this home but so sad about what the evil jealous man did. So happy that this place is so well loved and taken care of. Thank you for sharing!!!

[@livingstonjames1043]

What happened?

[@nathanthemoneyman9191]

@@livingstonjames1043The king saw the castle (which belonged to his finance minister) and seized it because he was jealous.

[@attilanagy1017]

He couldn’t even built it without the stolen money from the state. The guy was a corrupt politician.

[@Napp28]

It makes such a difference when a piece of architecture is actually OWNED and lived in by actual individuals! Versailles, as grand as it is, visiting it remains nothing more than a tourist experience; Contrast that to a place like Buckingham Palace where a visit means far more because it is a living home. This tour was more personal and enticing, heartfelt than a documentary. I hope to visit this Chateau in June if Covid allows for it.

[@kimberlyearly8918]

So they live and also do tours?

[@Napp28]

@@kimberlyearly8918 precisely; though I'd guess that they actually live in one of the side structures but, still wonderful that this Chateau is a HOME rather than a tourist trap.

[@kimberlyearly8918]

@@Napp28 That is nice!

[@LUIS-ox1bv]

That's because Buckingham Palace is a residence of the current King. Comparing Versailles to Buckingham Palace, is not fitting, since the purpose of its existence was not to be a museum.

[@Napp28]

@LUIS-ox1bv thanks for your reply. Ironically your final statement also applies to Versailles; when built its purpose (also) was not to be a museum but; a home. I visited Vaux le Vicomte & Versailles back in June. Driving straight to Vaux from Fontainebleau, I could easily visualize how the gardens at Vaux made Louis XIV jealous! All in all, French architecture never fails to impress!

[@ViggyIggy]

“I don’t think that’s a squirrel, it’s a rooster of some sort” idk why but that got me 😂 His love & knowledge of this beautiful property makes this video even better.

[@HeleniqueToday]

an enormous thank you to mr. alexandre de vogüé! this personal experience that you have shared with the world is so valuable. i am in awe of this very special property. ultimately, fouquet sacrificed himself to leave this splendid monument of artistry for the world to see. there is something charming about growing up around such beauty & not fully recalling it from your childhood. we don’t remember every splendid meal we have ever enjoyed, but it is all a part of who we are. i hope to visit vaux-le-vicomte one day, and sigh in wonder of the beauty, and mourn fouquet’s sacrifice. ❤️

[@marilizevandermerwe8343]

Thank you so much!! I'm so glad to get such interesting French history with the Chateau Stories. Glad that a true French man tells it in English!! So much of the French history is not known to the world that can only understand English. Also so glad not to receive it from an English perspective but from a French perspective. The French perspective to me is that incredible detail that is often overlooked from people who are not part of a culture. Thank you for showing the exquisite detail of the clock, the extraordinary detail of the wall fabric, the story of the man of origin. This is really priceless. Living in the southern hemisphere not having such rich culture history, but our ancestors most probably from there, it is really so enriching. Oh Yes!! And thank you for no irritating music that compete with the story teller. I hope to see much more from this Chateau? Please?

[@jefflawrentz1624]

I watched this in both languages and think this is such an incredible world treasure! The first time I ever learned of this magnificent place was when I was very young and spotted it on the cover of “ Connoiseur” Magazine. This is definitely on my list of places I want to visit when this pandemic is over. It’s unforgettable.

[@tally1604]

Where did you watch in French? I can't find it on this channel.

[@jefflawrentz1624]

@@tally1604 they may have removed that version of the tour. I’m unable to find it now.

[@leahhamdaoui7755]

Such craftsmanship and rigour in the quality of each and every detail is astonishing! Alexandre de Vogue's commentary was delightfully informative, conveying the respect and love he and his family clearly have for the Chateau Vaux-le Vicomte.

[@kirkshrum6222]

What an amazing place, the amount of detail! Cheers Kirk

[@cgannis2251]

How absolutely magnificent! Thanks to everyone who was/ is in anyway helping with returning this chateau to its former glory. Thank you all so very much.

[@motimoremargolis7092]

I had the privilege to visit this chateau back in 2019, just before COVID hits the world, this is truly a magnificent and majestic place. You can feel a special energy in the air, and I who’d love to visit again. It feels like Nicolas Fouquet is still there, admiring the work of the family who owns this place. Thank you for this video 🙏

[@garyjones2582]

Wow, if those beams could talk, imagine the stories they could tell.. This place makes the Whitehouse in D.C. look like a mud shack.. No one does it quite like the French.. Thank you for the history lesson and taking us along for the adventure...

[@AndersBu]

One of my greatest chateau visits ever. I was so impresed . 🙏🏻💕🍀🕊a masterpiece ! Truely the most beautiful home!

[@fireworks1650]

I really like the integration of this contemporary artist in the garden, It is really well done, it is an harmonious link between the past and present times.

[@peterlbaldwin511]

A truly magnificent Chateau deserved of the title not only of the largest "privately owned" Chateau, but to me also the most beautiful in all of France. ! "C'est Magnifique". Yet it is also a warning of the folly of becoming the victim of jealousy, also the real danger of overshadowing the monarch of the day. A similar fate awaited Cardinal Wolsey who built Hampton Court near London, England. At the time of initial construction, it was England's grandest home, far grander than anything the king owned. After Wolsey's downfall, King Henry Vlll promptly confiscated it in it's entirety, to become royal property..

[@pwear2528]

Beautiful! Very well done!

[@clydecox2108]

Incredible story and indeed an amazing house.

[@danielc45]

Wonderful story and chateau. We enjoyed it every time we were there.

[@renevallee4217]

So very well done kind Sir--I hopefully will again be in the Loire Valley and get to see Vaux-Le-Vicomte in person. Your family has done an outstanding mission with the restoration of Vaux le Vicomte...Prof. Rene Vallee, Grand Isle, Vermont USA

[@heliedecastanet1882]

Hello, René ! Vaux-le-Vicomte is not in the Loire valley, but very close to Paris (Seine-et-Marne) 🙂 Have a good day !

[@jenh9361]

MAGNIFICENT...What a Fabulous treasure trove of Art and History! I LOVE your enthusiasm for this spectacular home... Thank You for the tour!

[@lyricsdebra]

I’m from London ON Canada and enjoyed this very much. I did not know of this Chateau at all. How incredible and sad this story was for the creator. How did your family get to be the owners of this beautiful Chateau?

[@jfklein1486]

I visited this castle at night, lighted with candles. A magical moment.

[@jocelynelayet1903]

This Château is extraordinary and we feel à lot of emotions as well The view above thé gardens is as well somptuous But beyond I mean we feel the soûl of this Château which create à spécial feeling maybe thanks to your family Thank you for your explanations

[@petersassytruth3069]

Your chateau is my favorite all time beauty of France. Saddened to hear its tragic history, but it will teach us to love one another instead of bearing false witness and to embrace art and nature's creative dance. Thank your family from the bottom of my heart for saving it and restoring it. It is magnificent in every way. BTW, your cafeteria served the BEST home cooked food ever!

[@maximhollandnederlandthene7640]

Wonderful place 🤗 The grand salon is indeed grand. Amazing place and perspective 🙂

[@janewineinger1569]

The design of the boxwood reworked in aluminum appears like a beautifully designed river! How beautiful the gardens, how fabulous the chateau! Thank you so much for your family dedication to this project, and to you, sir, for showing us it's splendor.

[@imsojazzed]

Outstanding Presentation…

[@sweetlulamoon1636]

Excellent! beautiful tour

[@SoChateauxTV]

Thank you! and big thank you to Alexandre de Vogüé for giving us the opportunity to share with you the history and the interior of his wonderful castle.

[@ellekewilms6891]

"... I love this little room" too!

[@monicanecoechea4782]

Amazing information and details. Thank you for sharing these exquisite details with us. I can't wait to return to France and see this in person. Merci! ❤

[@vh2337]

What a sad story attached to this very beautiful Chateau! Thank you for a wonderful tour. It is wonderful to see everything so pristine and well cared for.

[@chris.asi_romeo]

Love watching castles 🏰. They are full of history.😍

[@jacquelineamar438]

Un petit Versailles! Un raffinement exquis ,de très bon goût et malgré tout pas ostentatoire! Je suis éblouie,,,💖merci à notre charmant hôte 👏👏👏🌹💝

[@barbaralose8133]

Merci,Merci!! From America ,thus Story is so sad, but I want to personally thank you for not only restoring this magnificent Chateau, with the talent and love which was given by Nicholas Fouquet, but for presenting it for the world to see. I am coming to Paris in April and hope to visit this year of 2023!!

[@grigorialatirseff-ravoajan7377]

I hope you made it

[@johnfalkenstine8377]

Fantastic. Thank you for the presentation.

[@kathannicolle5044]

“Thanks Out” to you Alexandre -the beauty and description makes one believe that desires and imagination of man bring us as close to immortality as we can come.

[@miketackabery7521]

The greatest and most beautiful house and garden of it's time, and arguably of all time. It's just perfection. Thank you for sharing it: I've dreamed of and studied it for many years.

[@heidiferrazzifarnkopf7373]

This visit is im my wishlist 🙏👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@madonnadillon3858]

Wow so beautiful ...👍😃💞🇨🇦

[@Liberty1111]

Cher Tour Gid ! Mercie de votre histoires del temps ancienes! J’aime votre manaire Et le chateau! Cest mon reve visitez le maison de Fuquet en cette vie Et incarnation.. 💕 a revoir!

[@neenalouise2633]

Wow such a beautiful masterpiece. And the renovation restoration and preservation is remarkable. I enjoyed his knowledge of history pertaining to this beautiful place. Fantastic video.

[@margamoons-filip5205]

Very interesting and calming, thank you 💐

[@wernerdanler2742]

It is a sad commentary on human nature that the king could be so easily manipulated against one of his best friends by a complete upstart. The trial must have been a travesty since there was absolutely no truth to the charges and no evidence except some that was manufactured and false testimony. What a magnificent palace. I would love to see it in person.

[@denesecarberry8826]

This was a wonderful tour. Thank you

[@guruchillaxi8497]

Great place, great guide. Thank you

[@guharup]

absolutely magnificent

[@lauradilucchio9267]

What a nice place... not sure it would be a delight for any artist but I trust the guide and comments.

[@Clarasandraco]

Hope to be there soon!

[@leroooyy1425]

Exceptionnel

[@jerridavis6462]

Fascinating! Enjoyed every moment from Texas! Thank you!

[@paulriley7523]

Amazing place!

[@NatureFotos]

Fantastic❣️

[@nickcarlton9720]

Love this Little Room!! Love this Little Room!!

[@joancollins522]

My goodness...such beauty.....fair play to this wonderful family to preserve so many objects of magnificent art....on the other hand....my husband put on a documentary last night about the poorest children in England and how they survive....two bedroomed horrible tennaments....covered with dampness and blight....nothing in their fridge except a half empty tub of spread to put on the cheapest bread....but...I suppose...as people with belief in God say...."God is Good"....yes indeed....he surely is....😢😢

[@justmeonthebeach]

This castle is really very nice with its gardens. This is one of the castles I've wanted to visit years ago, but wasn't able to..

[@tjiodamato5410]

Thank you for showing that..lovely chetieu..I'll visiting one day next year..if they are allow it !!!

[@oranjwon4437]

The cabinet opens into a mini Masonic Temple! So, that would make it a rooster and not a squirrel, for certain! Even have the Hall of Mirrors! I didn't look that far in the comments, but those of us who know a little about Freemasonry were ALL screaming at the screen, that was a Gem! Thanks!

[@ggpaula6476]

I found this channel today!!! Alexandre De Vogue Thanks for this very special Tour with you!

[@nicolasviard2252]

Definetly the most beautiful private chateau in the Land.

[@radiantphoenix4732]

Magnificent. Thank You.

[@chris.asi_romeo]

Love listening to history

[@sourclam904]

The history is amazing! A beautiful house. Wow. Hello from Arizona USA.

[@grigorialatirseff-ravoajan7377]

Please do come visit when you can. Hello from Paris

[@gregstone6916]

I’ve been there and it is truly amazing.

[@joseantoniovelilla7807]

Wonderful 👍

[@rosamiaranda8101]

Extraordinarios los diseñadores de jardines de este castillo y excelente la conservacion del castillo al ver las imagines uno imagina un poco la historia de sus huespedes.muy hermoso y gracias

[@carmelagarin8645]

Wow its a labor of love for the friends of the founder. Probably this was their showroom of their talents so that nobles would hire them. Hence this is their best work. The king was furious because he had to pay a fortune to have that in Versailles

[@keithss67]

Really excellent

[@carmelagarin8645]

Omg such dedication

[@slowtheplanedown]

This video has influenced me into getting one for myself...

[@arkwill14]

I am reminded of Louis the whatever's finance minister, _The_ something. He built this chateau, me and Nicole saw it when we were in Paris. It even outshone verSAILS, where the king lived. In the end, Louis clapped him in irons.

[@charlest1984]

Are you a Duke or something ? Wow to grow up in a work of art like this must’ve been amazing

[@grigorialatirseff-ravoajan7377]

He is a count

[@olgabeck8662]

🍀AMAZING 😘 THANK YOU 🤗🇮🇸😁🙏🏻❤️🌹

[@Mfl.8580]

Hermoso. excelso. Este fue la inspiracion de Versalles.

[@MrMrremmington]

Thank u kindly.

[@diverdave4056]

I hope that you installed a fire extinguisher system through out the entire chateau !

[@lynnegunn3478]

So fascinating, history and art of such superiority. How do you spell The original owners name Merci?

[@defrutoscristina266]

Gracias desde España

[@maverickwatchreviews]

We have another Colbert snake here in the US. But he's the host of a rarely watched late night tv program.

[@miasantiago4583]

I learnt about Fouquet in the Three Musketeers books by Dumas! So this is the enviable house he built - Ithought it was all fiction! good to know.

[@cristinavaladez3219]

Qué bella labor

[@evelynbyrd4961]

Ooooooolaaaalaaaa....

[@justmeonthebeach]

Some years ago, I unexpectedly unknowingly opened a couple of hidden drawers in an old family in law who passed away... To my utter surprise, out tumbled some old watches and other stuffs.. 😅

[@justmeonthebeach]

@@sarahbartlett1196 So what??? Are you a hater or you're jealous?! At least I am telling the truth.. 😂

[@christianterraes8334]

Que Dieu garde le château de vaux le vicomte. 🙏

[@elizabethbrazzil3083]

💜💜💜

[@dennisgannon]

Read the book by Charles Drazin: The Man Who Outshone the Sun King: A Life of Gleaming Opulence and Wretched Reversal in the Reign of Louis XIV. It details the famous party, the betrayal, the trial, etc.

[@gardengirl6854]

Was the grand salon filmed in the series of Versailles?

[@Majestad15]

wait so have they done the projection video thing for the grand salon's fresco?

[@Theodisc]

Nicolas Fouquet, marquis de Belle-Île, vicomte de Melun et Vaux. I suppose the «Vicomte» in the château's very name must refer to one of Fouquet's titles as Viscount. Now, I didn't hear you explain the etymology of this château's name, perhaps because it is evident to you. I guess the «Vaux» is from the verb _valoir_ - to be worth (or hold good). If so then the name might read Worth-the-Viscount in EN, and if it did, then Fouquet's overweening ambition in even naming this thus must have irked Louis XIV greatly (a man who only lost his composure in public two or three times during his life), especially if the Fouquets couldn't deign to descend the stairs to receive the king. I do remember reading that Fouquet protested his innocence to the king when he was arrested that night and the king replied that if he could afford the entertainments that he had given then he must have only done so because he had the means to take the funds and goods needed for it (from the State). Je vous remercie pour avoir nous montrer vos trésors, et de nous invité chez vous, Monsieur de Vogüé 🙏🏽

[@ericalexandre2983]

Vaux comes more probably for val at plural : vaux or vals (both are accepted), meaning valley ("val" is a small "vallée")

[@grigorialatirseff-ravoajan7377]

Actually, VAU or VAUX (plural) is an acient form of the word val (valley) Nicolas Fouquet, Marquis de Belle Île, Viscount of Melun and Vaux (village in central France)

[@Theodisc]

@@grigorialatirseff-ravoajan7377 Alors, c'est un joli titre, je trouve.

[@anonymousonlineuser6543]

The maintenance alone can finance another chateau.

[@grigorialatirseff-ravoajan7377]

9 million euros a year to maintain the castle.

[@sergiogo9188]

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@mrphone739]

Pourquoi n'avez vous pas fait le documentaire en français...

[@LoireValleyChateaux]

Why not install solar panels where the boxwoods were instead of the ephemeral panels? Symbiotic beauty & function! ❤️🙏

[@johnforsbergbarrett923]

I'm surprised at those modern glass entrance doors, like a department store! (see the beginning of the video before the guide goes inside.)

[@James-hb6ee]

If you look later in the video (kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJ6WnXyrf5mFfq8) when the owner is in front of one of the doors, you can clearly see the painted wood doors that are left open, so the original doors, or a later replacement, are still there. The glass doors I would imagine are there to let natural light into the room and to still be able to keep some of the heat in on cooler days.

[@tzanidisalexandros-xd8wn]

Ωραία η παρουσίαση Από εκεί κει πέρα πιο πολύ βλέπουμε το μπούστο του ξεναγού κ ελάχιστα από την αρχιτεκτονική την διακοσμηση. κ τα έργα τέχνης Ο ξεναγός προβλήθηκε όχι το οικοδόμημα