Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte

The International Friends of Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte is a charitable fund set up in February 2012. The Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte is one of France's most treasured institutions, celebrated for its art historical, architectural, and botanical importance and the devoted stewardship of its owners.

It was constructed from 1641 to 1661 for Nicolas Fouquet, the superintendent of finances for the king Louis XIV.

It was the first large-scale collaboration between the three major 17th-century figures in architecture, interior decoration, and landscape design: Charles Le Brun, Charles Le Brun, André Le Nôtre.

Owned by the de Vogüé family since 1875, each successive generation has devoted themselves to its stewardship. 

The Mission Statement of this fund is to bring together a devoted community of supporters, who together with the de Vogüé family, safeguard the Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte through the preservation of its architecture, art, and gardens and promote the chateau's legacy and profound contributions to the arts. This statement of purpose has guided the château since Count Patrice de Vogüé, opened the family home to the public in 1968.

Today, his three sons Alexandre, Ascanio and Jean-Charles, carry the torch.

Our capital campaign - Retour aux Sources - aims to revive the Waterworks in the Le Nôtre's garden of Vaux-le-Vicomte

 An underground reservoir around 885 feet long collects rainwater by means of two underground gritstone water channels. The water then feeds the fountains through the force of gravity alone (Vaux is the only remaining site in France where no other energy than gravity is used). This system only allows the fountains to operate for a limited time and it is sometimes necessary to wait over a week for the reservoir to refill.

In keeping with the authenticity of the area, the objective is to operate the 22 fountains of the garden on a daily basis, without interfering with the layout or the hydraulic system designed by André Le Nôtre, modernizing only the way in which the underground reservoir is filled. By drawing water from the river and nearby sources, the water supply to the fountains will remain natural. The gravity-based circuit will work in the same way as it did in the seventeenth century, with particular attention being paid to the economical and respectful management of our primary resource: water.

 

After restoring the two basins of the Cours d’honneur of the château and the Gerbe d’Eau (for a total of us$ 1,5 millions, the next step is to restore The Grottoes.

A masterpiece designed by Louis Le Vau and André Le Nôtre, the Grottoes are the centerpiece of the gardens. Located on the main axis, they catch the eye from the south steps of the château. This grandiose setting is enhanced by a superb sculptural ensemble of eight atlas, river divinities and sandstone lions. Surrounding the Grottoes, the gushing water basins enrich this monumental setting with two Bassins ronds and the two Bassins aux Grenouilles. The whole complex rests on a retaining wall, thereby concealing an underground reservoir essential for supplying the fountains in the lower gardens. This structure of rare splendor as much as a feat of engineering is essential to the realization of our grand project Retour aux Sources, which aims to have all the fountains operational throughout the entire public opening season.

Between now and 2028, a number of projects will be carried out to restore the Grottoes to their former glory. A vast program, commensurate with the size of the building, is orchestrated in 3 major phases. 

Phase 1 : The Lower Basin of the Grottoes and The Monumental Staircases

This first stage encompasses waterproofing work on the Lower Basin of The Grottoes, masonry work to reinforce its banks and The Monumental Staircases that flank them on either side. The Grille d’Eau, with its 10 jets, will be refurbished to restore its aquatic spectacle.

Global cost: us$ 1,270,000 and work will start in 2026.

 

Phase 2 : The Bassins Ronds and Bassins aux Grenouilles

The second stage will focus on the work on the Bassins aux Grenouilles and Bassins Ronds (masonry, landscaping and water jet fittings), with particular attention to the preservation of historic materials.

Global cost: us$ 1,210,000 and work will start in 2027.

 

Phase 3 : The Grottoes retaining wall

Restoration of its concretions, its gigantic atlas sculptures and the hydraulic system, all to ensure the proper functioning of the fountains and the visual harmony of the site.

Global cost: us$ 1,210,000 and work will start in 2027.

Dear Friends,

More than ever, your support is key to restoring this masterpiece and safeguarding the future of our Retour aux Sources project.

Of course all donations are welcome and will contribute to make this project happen.

I personally express my sincere and warmest gratitude for your support!

 Alexandre de Vogüé

 

Contact : Susan Emfinger, Assistant Director of Development susan@vaux-le-vicomte.fr

For donation by check : please indicate «Vaux-le-Vicomte Waterworks» in the memo section and send it to the following address :

Myriad USA

551 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2400

New York, NY 10176

For donation by wire transfer : Please contact Brenda Luz Orellana at:

brenda@myriadusa.org or (212) 713-7660.