We are doing the Paris and Heart of France Tour in September and have some extra days in Paris after the tour. In the Rick Steves Paris guide he suggests combining trips to Vaux-le-Vicomte and Fontainebleau via the City Vision tour company excursion bus. Has anyone done this in recent years and what was your experience? Or is there alternative transportation offering a similar trip?
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
Haven’t done that particular Tory with pariscityvision but have done several others with them - they are a long established reputable company - you get the typical big bus tour . You can also do their small van tours but they are a lot more money .
Posted by
89 posts
We did this tour with City Vision in June of 2018. It was very enjoyable. They took us to Vaux-le-Vicomte first. It was on a Wednesday in late June and we practically had the place to ourselves. Had plenty of time to tour the chateau, walk around the grounds, and ate lunch in the cafe there. Then the bus took us to Fountainebleau. Again we felt we had enough time there and had time for ice cream at a place across the street. The bus ride there and back was relaxing since we weren’t the ones driving. Overall it was a nice day.
That being said, if you like to spend a ton of time wandering around chateaus, museums, churches places like that, then you may feel rushed. It worked well for us but we never linger places too long. Have a great trip!
Posted by
shingle springs, CA, USA
782 posts
I did that tour in April on a Saturday and we had plenty of time at both venues with nice lunch at Vaux-le-Vicomte.The bus left City vision at 9:30 and returned at 6:15,good value for the trip.
Mike
Posted by
Paris
6908 posts
Never done that tour, but given that getting to Vaux le Vicomte on your own witout a car is fairly long and inconvenient already, this tour looks like an excellent time-saver.
Posted by
Twin Cities, Minnesota
1825 posts
I booked through Viator, so I don't know who the vendor was, but my tour of Fontainbleau, a stop in Barbizon village, then lunch at Vaux le Vicomte and time to tour was excellent. We were picked up at the hotel and there were only 5 of us in a Mercedes van. I loved all our stops and didn't feel rushed. BTW, it was pre Heart of France, too. A great tour.
Posted by
SF Bay Area, CA
2030 posts
I second the recommendation of the City Vision Vaux-le-Vicomte & Fontainebleau tour.
Posted by
OP
5 posts
Thank you for your suggestions. We decided to go with a viator van trip because we prefer being in a small group. All of your posts were helpful in making this decision.
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
Viatour is not a tour company - you simply purchased a tour by another company via a middle man .
Could be Pariscityvision or France Torusime both offer the small van tours - it’s always better to buy direct - hope you compared prices