You may have seen it recently and not even realised. If you’re a fan of the TV series “Versailles”, the raunchy bonk-buster serial about the shenanigans of the Royals and aristos of Louis XIV’s court, then it may surprise you to know that much of the filming took place at the Chateau de Vaux-Le-Vicomte – not at the Chateau of Versailles. The producers of the “Versailles” have really done their homework on the look of the day, from the shoes, dresses and hairstyles to the furnishings and architecture. Whilst the Chateau of Versailles may seem an obvious choice as the location for filming, in fact, the décor there is largely 18th century, a hundred years too late for the authentic look sought. Vaux-Le-Vicomte though, has retained its 17th century beauty, and, as the prototype and inspiration for the later Chateau de Versailles – it was the perfect place to film.
The Chateau de Vaux-Le-Vicomte is one of those places that looks utterly gorgeous in photos but when you view it for real looks even better says Janine Marsh as she takes a day trip from Paris....
Above: The chateau on a winter's day; below: filming "Versailles" at Vaux-le-Vicomte
© Beatrice Lecuyer-Bibal
Scene from "Versailles" at Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte