Discover The Versailles Gardens & The Grand Woodland Park

During his 72-year reign the Sun King, Louis XIV, decreed that the gardens of Versailles were as important as the chateau itself. Spreading across 250 acres, the gardens were orchestrated by the Royal Gardener, Andre Le Notre, who spent forty years making the king's garden wishes come true.

line

Forest, Formal Gardens & Estates

Forest, Formal Gardens & Estates Drone view of formal gardens, photo Chateau de Versailles

In addition to the formal gardens there's an even larger woodland park to make a combined area of nearly 2,000 acres (800 hectares) that includes forest, two formal French gardens, the Petit Parc, and the Grand Trianon estate. Chateau de Versailles' gardens and the large park beyond are a feast for lovers of all things royal and green, but there's one Insider's Secret often ignored — you can explore the elaborate gardens, the vast park, and the collection of magical fountains and waterways for free (most days). Let's pay a brief, if virtual, visit.

line

Two Of The Most Popular Paris Experiences

VIP Dinner Cruise with Bateaux Parisiens
This romantic, VIP dinner cruise is the #1 nighttime activity. Be sure to choose the Service Privilege option for the best seating, the most champagne, the best meal, and the ultimate experience.
Reserve your table…

Versailles with Priority Access + Gardens
Skip the long lines to experience the grandeur of Versailles on a guided tour. Stroll through the stunning gardens with your guide, then visit Marie Antoinette's estate.
More information…

The Most Popular Paris Experience

VIP Dinner Cruise with Bateaux Parisiens
This romantic, VIP dinner cruise is the #1 nighttime activity. Be sure to choose the Service Privilege option for the best seating, the most champagne, the best meal, and the ultimate experience.
Reserve your table…

The Royal Gardens – Entrance is Free

The Royal Gardens Symmetry is key in the formal gardens

Here's a tip that lets you see a part of the glory of Versailles for free. When you arrive at the Palace of Versailles and pass through the gates, go directly to the gardens by heading to the top left-hand side of the Cour d'Honneur. You will enter through the Courtyard of the Princes on the left-side of the Entrance A. Access to the gardens is free with a slight exception — there is a charge for the Fountain Show and for the Musical Gardens days, which take place from April to October.

The Grande Perspective

The Grande Perspective The Grande Perspective, photo Chateau de Versailles

Look through the central window from the Hall of Mirrors and you will view the Grande Perspective, a unique east-west vista developed by royal gardener Andre Le Notre. The Sun King enlisted a team of experts to take on the task of creating the most spectacular gardens in the world — including artist Charles Le Brun, finance minister Jean-Baptiste Colbert (someone had to pay the bills), and architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart to manage every detail.

To maintain their perfection, the gardens must be replanted every 100 years. Louis XVI did so at the beginning of his reign in 1775, as did Napoleon III in the mid 19th century. In December 1999 a devastating storm flattened the gardens and they had to be completely replanted. The gardens are now in their prime and look similar to what Louis XIV would have enjoyed.

line

Romantic Dinner Cruises In Paris

VIP Dinner Cruise with Bateaux Parisiens
This romantic dinner cruise includes champagne, wine & a classic meal. Choose the Service Privilege option for the best seating, best meal, and the ultimate experience.
Reserve your table…

Dinner Cruise by Maxim's of Paris
The legendary Parisian restaurant takes you on a dinner cruise complete with champagne and wine. Choose the 2-hour cruise for a stellar evening in Paris.
Check Availability…

VIP Dinner Cruise with Bateaux Parisiens
This romantic dinner cruise includes champagne, wine & a classic meal. Choose the Service Privilege option for the best seating, best meal, and the ultimate experience.
Reserve your table…

The Woodland Park at Versailles

The Great Lawn The lawn and woodland at sunset,photo Chateau de Versailles

Beyond the gardens is the woodland park at Versailles that features two majestic water features — the Grand Canal and the Lake of the Swiss Guards. The 800-hectare park criss-crosses forests and fields and is a perfect venue for cycling, hiking and long walks.

Although some of the royal lands were lost during the French Revolution, the park's perimeter has kept its original border and surrounds Versailles with a belt of greenery. Entrance is free to the park (except during the summer weekend water & music shows). When you arrive at Versailles, make sure you get into the correct line to get your free ticket to the park.

line

Top-Rated Paris Museum Tours

The Louvre's Greatest Masterpieces
Skip the lines and see a lot of art on this professionally guided tour. Choose from a private tour or semi-private (max 6 people.) The top choice.
Check Availability…

Musé d'Orsay Guided Tour
Enjoy skip-the-line access and learn the stories behind the world's greatest Impressionist art at Musé d'Orsay.
More information…

The Louvre's Greatest Masterpieces
Skip the lines and see a lot of art on this professionally guided tour. Choose from a private tour or semi-private (max 6 people.) The top choice.
Check Availability…

Andre Le Notre, Royal Gardener to the Sun King

Tuileries The work of Andre Le Notre, seen at the Tuileries Garden in Paris

Just as Apollo, the sun god, controlled the light in the sky, Louis XIV attempted to control nature in his vast domain. Andre Le Notre (1613-1700) was a master in taking untamed land and molding it into the shapes of parterres (ornamental gardens with pathways), vistas, waterway,s and visual surprises.

Le Notre added formal gardens with geometric beds, topiary, and hedges inspired from Italian Renaissance gardens to contrast with natural landscapes. The most formal gardens are closest to the Palace of Versailles and were the settings for elaborate outdoor fêtes, ballets, operas, fireworks, and banquets.

Versailles wasn't the only feather in Le Notre's cap. He was also responsible for the gardens at Chantilly, Vaux le Vicomte, Fontainebleau and the Jardin des Tuileries in Paris (in the photo above). Le Notre was also the principal gardener for the king's brother Gaston, the Duke of Orleans, and the king's mother Anne of Austria. He also worked for Charles II of England designing Greenwich Park in London.

line

Our Most Popular Day Trips from Paris

Spend a Day in the Champagne Region
Your driver gathers you from your Paris hotels for a small-group tour led by an expert guide to the Land of Champagne for a day-long tasting of the bubbly. Inclues lunch & tastings.
More information…

Visit the Historic D-Day Beaches
A day trip to the landing beaches of Normandy is one of the most popular day trips from Paris. Visit the monuments, museums, and dedicated cemeteries, as well as the beaches themselves
Check Availability…

Visit the Historic D-Day Beaches
A guided tour to the landing beaches of Normandy makes for one of the most memorable day trips from Paris. Visit the monuments, museums, and dedicated cemeteries, as well as the beaches themselves.
Check Availability…

Versailles Gardens & Park Resources

The gardens & park at Versailles are open daily, even on Mondays when the Chateau is closed. During the summer months, we recommend you arrive bright and early to avoid the crowds. There is a charge for the gardens when the Musical Fountains Show is scheduled on warm-weather weekends.

  • 7:00 AM to 8:30 PM, April to October
  • 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, November to March
  • Musical Fountains Show
  • Weekends: April 1 to the end of October.

Six Free Paris Planning Guides

A Gift from Us to You.
Bon Voyage !