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.
The magnificent Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte was constructed from 1658 to 1661 for Nicolas Fouquet, the superintendent of finances for 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 for over 47 years, since Count Patrice de Vogüé, current owner, transformed the family home into a museum open to the public in 1968.
Our capital campaign - Retour aux Sources - aims to revive the Waterworks in the Le Nôtre's garden.
An underground reservoir around 270 meters long collects rainwater by means of two underground gritstone water channels. The water then feeds the fountains through the force of gravity alone. 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. This constraint is common to all seventeenth-century châteaux, including royal residences.
The Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte stands at the heart of 500 hectares of verdant countryside, which is protected as part of the Val d’Ancoeur heritage site. 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 reservoir beneath the statu of Hercules at the far end of the garden 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.
The next step is to restore the splendor of La Gerbe d'Eau.
La Gerbe d’eau is one of the oldest basins. It has endured the trials of time and followed the different technical and aesthetic changes in the garden. This large circular basin represents the most majestic fountain in Le Nôtre’s design, with its 140 jets.
Currently, la Gerbe d’eau operates only partially. The floors and sides are eroded and sagging, thus affecting the waterproofing of the entire hydraulic system. Continuing the work initiated in the late 19th century by Alfred Sommier, the efforts will focus on addressing the numerous leaks affecting the basin, and restoring its water features.
The total budget of this restoration is €300,000 including € 169,000 for the fountain system.
Today you can help us restore the splendor of La Gerbe d'Eau by adopting one or more jets for $2,500 each and in doing so associating them with a name of your choice.
Or by becoming a Le Nôtre Benefactor with a $12,500 donation and thus accessing an exclusive program of events around the gardens.
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 : Guillaume Housse, Assistant Director of Development g.housse@vaux-le-vicomte.fr +33 6 67 90 51 40
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 Suzana Erickson at:
suzana@myriadusa.org or (212) 713-7661.