Chantilly, Vaux-Le-Vicomte or Fontainebleau

When we did Vaux le Vicomte the people at the Chateau called us a taxi to get back to the train. Of those three Vaux le Vicomte is my favorite. FWIW. Hotel de la Marine is certainly worth a visit but it is in no way a 'mini Versailles' -- Versailles is singular and most of the other chateaux are pretty much the same.

Of the 3 I've only done Chantilly and yes, I wanted to kick everyone out, lock the doors and settle in to that library. Wow. They had some cool chairs in there which I've not seen anywhere else. They were the forerunner, I suppose, of a recliner but only the legs raised and you could do either leg or both. I immediately thought of gouty old men drinking their port and flipping thru the Illuminated manuscripts with a painful, achey foot that needed elevating!

It was easy to get to. My friend and I took the train and there were taxis at the station so we hopped in one. As we were leaving the little shuttle bus pulled up and we hopped on. At that time, pre-Covid, it was free. Things have changed since that time (2017) regarding cell phones and companies such as UBER and BOLT in France. I would definitely download the BOLT app as you may be able to use them to get either to or from the Chateau if the weather is not good enough for a walk.

The gardens are by Le Notre.

It has the advantage of being a day trip, or actually, probably a 3/4 of a day trip, if that makes sense.

My tentative plans for a 2025 trip include spending the last two nights in Chantilly, and taking a cab/Uber to CDG for the flight home. Paris isn't one of the stops on this particular vacation.

I visited Hotel de la Marine late 2022. It was a fairly new attraction at the time - I was a bit disappointed. There is an audio-guide that didn't work perfectly; I noted that some current reviews mention this. The venue often seems to have special exhibits, but it didn't when I was there. I thought the hype was a bit more than the reality. Not a bad time, but if I hadn't already had multiple visits to Paris and to France in general, I might have wished I'd visited another spot. Just to give you more options, have you also looked at Musee Jacquemart-Andre? Slightly later era, but beautiful. https://www.musee-jacquemart-andre.com/en

Fontainebleau - I don't think this would disappoint many. Napoleon connection. If you read French, look at the French language section of the official website - they offer tours (in French) that aren't listed on the English language section of the website. (At least that was true a year or so ago - I didn't check today.) I've taken the French language tour, additional rooms that are (obviously) incredible, but if you don't take an extra tour, you still won't have a lack of things to see.

Everything you've been considering is a winner in my mind! Personally, I've gotten to the point where when it is a toss-up between first time visits to competing venues, I generally go with the location that is easiest to access by public transport and on foot. I often have multiple options researched and make my final decision on the day or soon before my visit.

Janet, fair enough…just to clarify, I didn’t call it that myself

That IS good to know about VLV -

I wonder if I should consider doing a half day to Vaux-le-Vicomte instead of the Hotel de la Marine?

If I do one day go back to Paris - I’m sure I will- It’s a toss up as to whether I’d make time to see Versailles; I’m not even doing that now, lol

Too big, too many people….i just don’t have a pressing need to see it

Thanks!

Pam, lol - that visual!

They may have to kick ME out, lol

As a bonus, the exhibit that will be on while I’m in Paris is Les Tres Riche Heures de Duc de Berry, which is apparently an incredibly important medieval illuminated manuscript. Generally only “copies” are on display, so what a chance to see the original!

https://chateaudechantilly.fr/programmation/#ListEvents

That’s great info - thanks! Is BOLT French Uber?

I may take the bus (or whichever is easiest) to Senlis …explore, have dinner….

This may push Chantilly over the top for me.

I read that Le Notre’s favorite gardens are Chantilly

Thank you!

I see you are posting almost the same time, nevertheless here my thoughts.

You can’t go wrong with whatever your choice will be. From a French historical point of view Fontainebleau is to prefer as it represents it’s royal history (and imperial too) roughly from Renaissance till the 19th century. If French history in particular is of interest I would go to there.

The other two has ofcourse history too, but in a much lesser degree. But saying this, Vaux-le-Vicomte is to my opinion the most beautiful of the three, it’s a really nice architectural package and I got that wow sensation seeing it for the first time. The tragic story of Nicolas Fouquet is very interesting to learn and well showed in the main building.

Chantilly is very lovely too, not only famous for it’s liberary but it’s art collection too. Also well known for (as you already remarks) The Very Rich Hours of Duke de Berry. You must have a deeper historical knowledge to experience the signifance of this château. Otherwise beautiful place well to combine with the town of Chantilly and Senlis.

Not easy to make a choice, otherwise flip a coin.

ORD, Musee Jacquemart-André is on my list !

Since Hôtel de la Marine is less impressive than I’ve read, I wonder if I should take a half day to Vaux-le-Vicomte or Fontainebleau ?

I only understand and speak enough French to be polite pretty much, lol…I’m sure whatever tours they offer would be fabulous

Thank you!!!!

Wil, this is brilliant - thanks!

I think Chantilly is the definite in my mind, but I could choose to do another half day to either Fontainebleau or Vaux-Le-Vicomte…

I guess my choice would depend what I’m looking for …can’t go wrong at all

Thank you!!!

I haven't been to Chantilly for 25 years and this thread is making me put it on my list for the next couple of trips. It has lovely gardens which we didn't have time to spend in -- so time for a day trip. And we love Senlis. Might do a revisit there too.

another vote for Senlis.

Janet, I love it!

I need a job - maybe I can get one working for Chantilly tourist board, lol

Nigel, thanks!

I’m going to have a good time tonight researching Senlis and getting hyped up for a trip over 6 months away, lol

I keep going back and forth between Fontainebleau and Vaux-le-Vicomte summer candlelit evening.

But today I’m back on Fontainbleau - not just because of the chateau, but I’ve done some digging on Moret sur Loing, and it’s irresistible.

I read that you can swim in the river - is that true?

Is the barley sugar candy worth trying?

I could spend a few hours at the chateau and then more time, including dinner, in Moret sur Loing

I think I can take the direct train to Paris?

Thoughts?

Thank you!!!