Vaux le Vicomte

In France, the Château of Vaux le Vicomte (77950 Maincy, France; phone +33 1 64 14 41 90, fax 33 1 60 69 90 85, www.vaux-le-vicomte.com), upon which the design for the castle of Versailles was based, is open to visitors in 2008 from March 15 to Nov. 9, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2-5:30. 

Entry at €12.50 (near $19) includes access to the castle, gardens and carriage museum. Night visits cost €15.50 ($24). An audioguide costs €2.50.

The castle’s gardens, open 8 p.m. to midnight, with last admission at 11 p.m., are lit with 2,000 candles on Saturdays, May 3-Oct. 11.

The castle holds special events, such as an Easter egg hunt in the garden and the mid-August anniversary of the first party held at the castle.