The castle has been decorated in style by interior designer Eric Naudin, assisted by everyone at the Chateau, from the ladies who work in the gorgeous gift shop to the family.
This year’s theme is bright, bold and beautiful and includes a life-size hot air balloon in the grand salon, piloted by a waving teddy bear. Vintage toys have been borrowed from a specialist museum in Colmar, Alsace. There are 150 Christmas trees, more than a mile of garlands and around 15,000 decorations and lights
In the carriage museum Christmas carols play and there are tableaux of yesteryear’s Christmases with train sets, lights and Santa seated in an ancient carriage.
In the castle itself the rooms are decorated in bright blues, soft whites and shades of pastel. The trees are hung with the most beautiful baubles, soft teddies and snow white owls (by the way, if you like them pop to the gift shop where they have some for sale plus fabulous souvenirs that you’ll want to bring out for Christmas for years to come). Tables are laid for a festive feast with trees and ornaments, sparkling crystal and colourful macarons and a band made up of giant moles, extraordinary automatons. In the kitchen there’s a sugarplum fairy vibe with huge gingerbread cakes, giant rabbit footmen, dolls and fairies.
And as dusk falls, the magic continues in the garden where you can take a carriage ride and enjoy thousands of twinkling lights. Take a walk in the enchanted wood and admire the gorgeous landscape that has wowed visitors for 350 years, designed by Louis XIV’s favourite gardener Le Nôtre.
It’s not Disney but it is magical, Vaux-le-Vicomte at Christmas is where you’ll find a bucket load of festive charm.
Details: www.vaux-le-vicomte.com