Nicolas Fouquet hired famous architecture Louis la Vau, landscape architect André le Notre, and decorator/painter Charles Le Brun to build Vaux le Vicomte. This trifecta of creative geniuses constructed a chateau fit for a king. Once built, Fouquet and his wife, threw lavish parties showing off the newly renovated estate. One such party, which included a new play by Molière and ended with fireworks, was attended by King Louis XIV. He was impressed that one man could create such a grand residence.
Chateau Vaux le Vicomte was the inspiration for Versailles. In fact, Louis XIV commissioned la Vau, le Notre, and Le Brun to construct his chateau on the western side of Paris.
The splendor of Vaux le Vicomte was also the reason Louis XIV imprisoned its owner (Fouquet) out of jealousy (at least that was what the audio guide said). Shortly after the great fete, Fouquet was arrested and imprisoned for life.
