Gardens of the Palace of Versailles, Paris; visit these world-famous gardens

Photo of Gardens of the Palace of Versailles

Visit Gardens of the Palace of Versailles

The Palace of Versailles with its magnificent gardens is in Versailles on the western edge of Paris. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the second most visited monument in the World.

Explore the gardens of the Palace de Versailles

One of the largest gardens ever made the gardens of the Palace of Versailles are laid out on an enormous scale. The gardens are a superb example of French formal garden style.

Designed by André Le Notre the canals and fountains and water features are a key feature of the gardens. With 372 statues, 55 water features, 600 fountains and 35km of canals you can't help but be impressed.

The garden covers 800 hectares which includes 300 hectares of forest and two 'French' gardens, the 'Petit Parc' and the 'Trianon'

This is the formal French-style of gardening at its best. Everything is impeccably kept. The massive number of topiaries are all clipped into immaculate shapes and the sheer splendour is amazing. This is a garden that was designed to impress and it certainly does.

One of the highlights of the gardens is its series of fountains. These date to the era of Louis XIV and many use the original hydraulics. The fountains are turned on in a fabulous display for water and light shows from late spring to early autumn.

The Palace of Versailles

Of course whilst you are at the gardens you can't miss a visit to the Chateau de Versailles which is one of the most important, and beautiful, buildings in France. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Indeed the gardens were designed to be seen from inside the Chateau in order to really admire the patterns and symmetry.

The Chateau de Versailles began life as the hunting lodge of Louis XIII but was massively expanded and transformed by his son Louis XIV who also ordered the gardens to be designed and laid out.

The Hall of Mirrors is perhaps the most famous of all the rooms in the chateau and is the most ostentatious display of wealth and power in a chateau built as a showcase of wealth and power.

The French court was moved here in 1682 and stayed until the French Revolution in 1789.

Chateau de Versailles garden guide

The gardens of the Palace of Versailles are in the Paris suburb of Versailles about 20km southwest of the centre of Paris.

The garden is open every day from 8.00 to 20.00. The palace though is closed on Mondays and the Trianon Palace and Marie-Antoinette's Estate are only open in afternoons (not Monday). The park and gadens are open every day.

The park and gardens are free to visit except on days when there is a Musical Fountain and Light Show or the Musical Garden days.

A ticket for the Musical Fountains show is 9,50 euros. A ticket for the Musical Gardens events is 8,50 euros. A the full palace and Trianon Estate and Gardens ticket with access to the shows is 27 euros. Tickets for the palace are 20 euros on days with no Fountains Show or Musical Gardens events.

Note though that access to the palace and gardens is free to under 18s and free to under 26 year olds from the European Union and to disabled people with one accompanying adult. On musical days though everyone normally entitled to a free ticked must pay 10 euros except for under 5s.

Address: Chateau de Versailles, 78000 Versailles

There are three train stations in Versailles. The Versailles Chateau Rives Gauche station is the closest to the palace and gardens. The Chateau de Versailles is a ten minute walk from this station.