Vaux-le-Vicomte castle

France In 1641, the 26-year-old parliamentarian and future French finance minister, Nicolas Fouquet, acquired an estate with a small castle. The estate was located between two royal residences - Fontainebleau and Vincennes - and was nothing of interest. Only fifteen years later, the main financier of France, known for his passion for money, bribe-taker and patron of art, Fouquet remembered the acquired lands and decided to create the best palace in the country. The idea was a success. However, the crafty and grasping Fouquet miscalculated in one thing: in the personality of the king, who was invited to a grand reception on the occasion of housewarming. In an attempt to dazzle guests with the magnificence of the palace and park, the Minister of Finance drew anger. It could not be otherwise, because, as Louis XIV declared: "The state is me," and only the king should have all the best. Fouquet was arrested on charges of embezzlement and died in prison. Vaux-le-Vicomte belonged to the widow of Fouquet until the beginning of the 18th century, later passing from owner to owner. Now the castle is also owned by private individuals.