This is awesome, another reason to visit my belle France, in all its splendeurs! A must to visit indeed. Another wonderful memory of my dear late wife Martine, and I traveling in her native department the beauty is amazing. We came here the second year after marriage in 1992 and have been coming here regularly in our visits from the USA, and then while living in France. This is a wonderful story and a beautiful castle still in private hands ! Do see my other posts on the castle in my blog, as this will be short ans sassy with new pictures. Hope you enjoy again the sublime Château Vaux le Vicomteand the Carriage museum as I.
The Château Vaux le Vicomte have written plenty on it in my blog but this is new text and pictures from my visit this week, so sorry if repeat myself on the text, As a reminder, the castle is in the village of Maincy, Seine et Marne dept 77 of the Île de France region of my belle France!
Again, I like to tell you the story in the the large stables of the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, and discover an exhibition of magnificent vintage carriages and more. Take a step back in time! Carriages, harnesses, harnessed horses, coachmen, valets and passengers revive, the time of the visit, the art of master builders. The carriages of the 17C, 18C and 19C are presented in decorations on the themes of the city, the countryside and hunting. In the second part of the museum, the estate offers an exhibition of two trades: the saddler and the blacksmith. Finally, the Crew Museum ends with an exhibition of equipment for horses. Harnesses, bridles, bits and other maintenance equipment that will delight equestrian enthusiasts like us. These centuries-old carriages, horses and coachmen bear witness to history. The museum is an integral part of the castle and the gardens, so they are included in the general admission price.A must to see and first on the visit circuit.
A bit of a description with some of my favorites ; difficult to tell more as the description comes from the castle as I am friend of the castle for years. However, this time took pictures lol!
The carriage museum created inside the stables and outbuildings of the property. Presented next to the reconstruction of a forge, it rubs shoulders with other service carriages, fire engine, game car. One of the common activities of the nobility was hunting. To bring the prey back, game carriages were used. The wicker carriage is equipped with numerous hooks allowing to suspend the killed game.
The litter carriage presents us with one of the rare examples remaining in France. This mule chair was used for city trips and was led by footmen. This carriage, which is said to have been built in France, is lined with crimson damask and decorated with gilding and landscape paintings.
In the 17C, a fast carriage appeared; the post chair. The creation is credited in 1664 or 1679, the first post chairs were invented by a certain de la Gruyère. The exclusive privilege is granted to the Marquis de Créan. It was suspended from Dalesme springs and leather loungers, its body, supported by two large wheels, can only be accessed by a door on the front. The postilion was mounted on the left on this team of two or three horses.
The Briska was a type of carriage of Russian origin. The flat-bottomed box can be transformed into a berth. The hood, while bending down, protects travelers to a certain extent from rain and wind. This travel carriage, harnessed to 2.4, or 6 horses, was driven by a coachman or a postilion.
The sleeper carriage is not a type of carriage proper but the adaptation of sedans or coupes for long trips. The front and rear panels, fitted with leather bellows, allowed a perfect seal. Depending on the size of the carriage, comfort could be limited, sleeping more like a lounge chair than a real bed. These carriages were often used by the military. Everyone, for example, has heard of Napoleon’s sleeper. It was the carriage of choice for generals and marshals. It was fitted at the rear with a saber box, belonged to General Le Grand de Mercey. It was built in 1805 in Beirut.
La Coureuse carriage was a splendid 8-spring carriage built by A.Getting in Paris in 1840 and belonged to Lord Lonsdale. The large coupe or gala coupe; this carriage is a variation of the sedan, of which or would have removed the front. It belonged to the Noailles family and would have been used by Charles X to flee Paris during the 1830 revolution. The frame of the coachman’s seat is hidden by a richly decorated sheet cover.
The Horse-drawn carriage ; this name is often used in the wrong way as a generic term for horse-drawn carriages. It actually designates a horse-drawn vehicle that corresponds to a specific type of carriage of rare elegance. Luxury discovery carriage with two bottoms, each containing a seat for two people. It is accessed by two small open doors in the center of the side panels. Only the rear seat is sheltered by a hood. The one here belonged to Count Mollé, Prime Minister of Louis Philippe, king of the French.
More pics on the art of saddling and mounds of yesteryear all wonderfully display, interesting and nice to see
The official Château Vaux-le-Vicomte on the Carriage Museum: https://vaux-le-vicomte.com/en/decouvrir/the-carriage-museum/
The Seine et Marne dept 77 tourist office on the castle:https://www.seineetmarnevivreengrand.fr/explorer/676128/
There you go folks, another dandy road warrior trip this time only with my 3 young men and dog Rex , less but nevertheless, a wonderfully trip down memory lane in Seine et Marne, dept 77. The Château Vaux le Vicomte have written plenty on it in my blog but , never enough on this marvel of our belle France ; of course I am friend of the castle since 2004 and have come more times that I write about it as many in our official visits pictures are not allowed, You must come here to the Château de Vaux le Vicomte and enjoy the wonders of my Seine et Marne, The gardens are just gorgeous and merit philosophical time on them forever,,,Again, hope you enjoy the post on the Château Vaux Le Vicomte and the Carriage museum as I
And remember, happy travels, good health,and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 
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