Ah, the magical nights of Vaux-le-Vicomte…! Calling all lovers of magical experiences: as night falls, the splendor of the château is revealed under the dancing glow of 2,000 candles. All summer long, let yourself be enchanted by the Soirées aux Chandelles and experience the magic of a real fairytale. Quite simply, castle life!
Vaux-le-Vicomte’s magical Candlelit Evenings, 2025 edition
Princes and princesses for an evening, every Saturday from May 24 to September 27 , the marvelous Soirées aux Chandelles await you at the sumptuous Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte. Long before the clock strikes midnight, Vaux-le-Vicomte is decked out in its finest luminous finery. From 7pm onwards, 2,000 twinkling candles illuminate the estate.
The 33-hectare French garden created by Le Nôtre, the architecture by Le Vau, the paintings by Le Brun… All are magnificently illuminated by candlelight. During these timeless evenings, visitors can also admire splendid water features. Before the sun sets, water is the perfect accompaniment for aesthetes as they wander through the garden’s paths.
Live entertainment during candlelight evenings at Vaux-le-Vicomte
For one evening, relive the festivities of August 17, 1661, and let yourself be transported 360 years back in time. Starting in August, the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte is adding artistic performances to its legendary candlelight evenings. From then on, the château’s gardens will be transformed into an open-air theater. For the occasion, illuminated stilt-walkers will take over the garden paths, blending in with the candlelight.
Er that’s not all. Every Saturday at 10.15pm, the enchantment continues in the château’s central avenue. On the spot, sparklers will be distributed to the public, so that together they can form an ephemeral luminous fresco, just before the fireworks begin.
Ephemeral immersive projection and gold and silver fireworks
Another surprise in this 2025 vintage of candlelit evenings: an ephemeral immersive projection in the château’s Grand Salon. In this sumptuous setting, visitors can marvel at a digital reproduction of the monumental 380 m2 painting that Charles Le Brun had planned for the château’s ceiling, and see the work literally come to life before their eyes.
The apotheosis of the Soirées aux Chandelles? A sublime fireworks display of gold and silver every Saturday evening, at precisely 11pm. A spectacular sound and light show, featuring sumptuous pyrotechnic displays. Accompanying the show will be a reading of a letter written by La Fontaine to his friend Maucroix, recounting the festivities of August 17, 1661. For the occasion, André Dussollier will lend his voice to Jean de La Fontaine, promising a moment of suspended animation. So, are you ready for Château life?
Informations pratiques :
Every Saturday from May 24 to September 27 + Sunday July 13 (special national holiday) and Friday August 15
Opening hours: 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm (last admission to ticket office) – Estate closes at midnight
Full price (including Château & Jardins): €22 – Free for under-4s