Ah, the magical nights at the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte…! Calling all lovers of enchanting experiences: as night falls, the castle’s splendor is revealed under the dancing glow of 2,000 candles, in the style of the famous Candlelight concerts. All summer long, let yourself be enchanted by the Candlelight Evenings and experience the magic of a true fairy tale. Life in a castle, quite simply!
The Magical Candlelight Evenings at Vaux-le-Vicomte, 2026 Edition
Princes and princesses for a night, every Saturday from May 16 to September 26 , the marvelous Candlelight Evenings await you within the sumptuous Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte. Long before the clock strikes midnight, Vaux-le-Vicomte adorns itself in its most beautiful luminous finery. Starting at 7 p.m., 2,000 twinkling candles illuminate the estate.
The 33 hectares of the French-style garden created by Le Nôtre, the architecture of Le Vau, the paintings of Le Brun… All are thus magnificently illuminated by the glow of the candles. During these timeless evenings, visitors can also admire splendid water features. Before the sun takes its final bow, the water then perfectly accompanies the connoisseurs along the garden paths.
Live performances during the candlelit evenings at Vaux-le-Vicomte
For one evening, you’ll have the chance to relive the celebration of August 17, 1661, and let yourself be transported back over 360 years. Starting in August, the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte will incorporate artistic performances into its legendary candlelit evenings. From then on, the castle gardens will transform into an open-air theater. For the occasion, luminous stilt walkers will take to the garden paths, blending with the candlelight.
And that’s not all. Every Saturday at 10:15 p.m., the magic will continue in the castle’s central alley. On-site, sparklers will be distributed to the public so that together they can form a fleeting luminous fresco, just before the fireworks begin at 11 p.m.
Ephemeral immersive projection and gold and silver fireworks
Another surprise of the 2026 edition of the Candlelit Evenings: a temporary immersive projection in the castle’s Grand Salon. In this sumptuous setting, visitors will marvel at a digital recreation of the monumental 380-square-meter painting that Charles Le Brun had envisioned for the castle’s ceiling, and watch the work literally come to life before their eyes.
The grand finale of the Candlelit Evenings? A sublime gold and silver fireworks display launched every Saturday night at 11 p.m. sharp. A magnificent sound-and-light show that will unveil sumptuous pyrotechnic scenes. Accompanying this: a reading of a letter written by La Fontaine to his friend Maucroix, recounting the celebration of August 17, 1661. On this occasion, André Dussollier will lend his voice to Jean de La Fontaine, promising a moment suspended in time. So, are you ready for life at the Château?
Practical information:
Every Saturday from May 16 to September 26 + 2 special evenings
- July 13, with a blue, white, or red dress code to celebrate Bastille Day
- August 15, an evening in white, dedicated to elegance.
Hours: 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM (last admission at the ticket office) – Estate closes at midnight
Full price (including Château & Gardens): €22 – Free for children under 4
