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Gardens of Vaux-le-Vicomte

Listed under Gardens in Ile-de-France, France.

The garden that made its designer André le Nôtre famous on its completion in 1661 as the prototype of the French Baroque garden that came to dominate Europe.

The controlling hand of man over nature is demonstrated here as the landscape submits to the rule of parterres, hedges, geometric pools and straight vistas. Part of its visual purity is due to the execution of its owner, Nicolas Fouquet, by the jealous Louis XIV: Le Nôtre’s next job was Versailles, in the same grand manner but vastly overblown. This is how it was meant to be.

Written by Steven Desmond.

“A Study in Design”

This garden is a study in complex design which brought about a revolution in garden layout. Introducing the 17th century French Formal landscape, this garden marked a fundamental point in the development of garden design. The garden and château were… Read more...

Written by Tony Sissons.

“Geometric Perfection”

Amongst garden designers, Vaux le Vicomte is the most admired high Baroque garden. It was one of the first and it has a geometrical perfection which even Versailles cannot equal. There are deep woods, brilliant water features, elaborate parterres and fi… Read more...

Written by Tom Turner.

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Gardens of Vaux-le-Vicomte

“A Study in Design”

“Geometric Perfection”