After growing up at Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte, the opulent 17th-century French castle on 1,200 acres that inspired Louis XIV to build Versailles, Alexandre de Vogue knows a thing or two about what he calls “the art de vivre, a way of life that focuses on comfort, grace and savoir-faire.”
His parents presided over countless repasts for family and friends, and opened the chateau, just 35 miles southeast of Paris, to the public in 1968 for visits and events. Life at the lavish residence — including, to our surprise and delight, a peek at the high French party style that has always been a tradition there — is documented in a new book, “A Day at Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte” (Flammarion, $35). De Vogue offered a few extra tips to share on channeling the grand life in our own homes.
Set a colorful table. “While our silver and china has been in the family for generations, today we use linens in very vivid colors and bold patterns, especially since my wife is Indian. Our one rule is no white, as it’s boring and dull. And bigger is better. The linens should hang down close to the floor, and the napkins should overhang knees and thighs.”
Go heavy on candlelight. “And make it dramatic. We always use large candelabra with long tapers on tables and put votives everywhere possible in the rooms we are using — even lining the windowsills. In good weather, we line our pathways and reflecting pools with votives too.”
Keep the food simple but elegant. “My mother often makes a salad that is so easy but chic and delicious. It’s just thinly sliced but firm slices of avocado and pear over seasonal greens paired with thin slices of a very good Parmesan cheese and topped with pine nuts. She dresses it with olive oil and lemon.”
Lisa Skolnik is a freelance writer.