Île-de-France · Seine-et-Marne, France

Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte

Built at speed for Louis XIV's superintendent of finances, Nicolas Fouquet, by the dream team of Le Vau, Le Brun and Le Nôtre — the first time the three worked together. The famously extravagant fête of 17 August 1661 helped precipitate Fouquet's arrest, and the same trio was promptly set to work on Versailles.

At a glance

Built: 1658–1661
Style: French Baroque
Commissioned by: Nicolas Fouquet
Signature feature: The first great unified house-and-garden composition of French classicism
The team: Architect Louis Le Vau, painter Charles Le Brun, gardener André Le Nôtre
The fête: 17 August 1661 — weeks later Fouquet was arrested by d'Artagnan
Legacy: Direct model for the Palace of Versailles
Visiting: Open to visitors (seasonal calendar)