We are taking the RS tours which starts in Reims. We are arriving 3 days early and would like to see Fontainebleau and Vaux le Vicomte? Can you get to Fontainebleau from the airport or do we need to get into Paris, which I would like to avoid?
What else is there to do in the area except see the wonderful chateaux and get over get lag? We are in are late 70's.
I am assuming you can get from Fontainebleau to Vaux le Vicomte. either via train or bus.
Train schedules from CDG require going into Paris and connecting there. Since trains to Fontainebleau depart from Paris Gare de Lyon, you can reach that station by the direct Les Cars/Air France bus #4. From Fontainebleau , you can backtrack by train 15 minutes to Melun, then take a taxi or shuttle bus to Vaux le Vicomte.
How to Look Up Train Schedules and Routes Online gives you the DB train schedule link and tips for using it.
You might want to consider a taxi to get from Fontainebleau to Vaux le Vicomte and vice versa because the mass transit options are going to require to be a pain and are probably going to include a taxi for part of trip anyway. Can you rent a car for this trip?
If you do this I would take a taxi between Fontainebleau and Vaux le Vicomte. BUT I do think you should pick one. Vaux le Vicomte really takes a day if you walk all over the estate and the chateau; I'd rather take my time than rush through two rather similar places. IMHO Vaux le Vicomte is the more interesting and beautiful although both are well worth visiting. Here are some snapshots of Vaux. https://janettravels.wordpress.com/2010/09/20/vaux-le-vicomte-our-last-chateau/ I alas didn't put up photos of Fontainebleau. Train travel in the region is Paris centric; Paris is the hub for trains.
