May 1 in Paris and Vaux-le-Vicomte

It's inconveniently located for public transportation, even more so on an important holiday. This is one day that I'd take an organized tour if Vaux-le-Vicomte is open.

Edit: a general strike has just been called for May 1, so you may not want to rely on public transportation that day.

See if their shuttle is running from the train station. If not, see if you can line up a cab to meet you at the station and then pick you up and return you to the station.

Last year we took the RER (D2 I think) to Melun and then took a taxi. When we wanted to leave we had someone at the château call a taxi for us.

Exactly what Andrea said. Take the train to Melun and a taxi from the station. I’ve taken people there any number of times and it’s rarely crowded. The gardens should be spectacular around the first of May. Lucky you.

The RER D from Paris to Melun (from where you take an uber/ taxi to Vaux) takes over 50 minutes. It is faster to take one of the direct trains from Gare de Lyon to Melun as that only takes 25 minutes. See transilien.com for train schedules. Look at the Vaux website for all the info you need to plan your visit. You'll note that they offer a limited shuttle service (10:55AM and 11:55AM) from the train station in Melun to the château on weekends and holidays. Otherwise you need to take a taxi/uber from the train station in Melun to the château:

https://vaux-le-vicomte.com/en/

https://vaux-le-vicomte.com/en/prepare-your-visit/access-transport/

https://media.vaux-le-vicomte.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/05170249/Horaires-navette-ANGL-2023.pdf

Now, as to whether or not you should visit on May 1st due to any potential protests/public transport disruptions is another issue. There may be no definitive info about public transport disruptions until the night before and that can always be something to consider. However, there are coach tours from Paris to the château that also include a visit to the Château de Fontainebleau:

https://www.pariscityvision.com/en/paris/surroundings/vaux-le-vicomte

https://www.bluefox.travel/paris/fontainebleau-vaux-le-vicomte-castles-day-trip

Yeah I would be wary of trying to do this on May 1. Who knows whether you will find any taxi drivers who can be bothered to work that day, in addition to the reduced public transportation schedule that day.

We got a taxi in Melun and then the chateau called us a taxi to return. Sometimes the chateau has a shuttle service. I would not do this on May 1 without lining up a taxi first.

I booked the Paris vision day trip in April 2015, which includes Fontainebleau. We had plenty of time to explore each site, with Vaux-le-Vicomte first. I had enough time to walk all the way to the top of the hill and back and get a snack at the onsite cafe before departing for Fontainebleau. The advantage over trains is that all transportation is included, and the tickets alone are 31 Euros. Went back on April 1 this year, with a rental car as were staying at a resort near Disneyland. It was easier leaving all the transportation to someone else.