Gardens of the Chateau de Versailles visitor guide
Visit Gardens of the Chateau de Versailles, Paris
The gardens of the Chateau de Versailles are considered to be one of the most beautiful gardens of the world. The estate which covers nearly 2000 acres is about 18 kilometers west of the centre of Paris.
Explore the gardens of the Chateau de Versailles
France This Way review: The gardens and fountains of Versailles are simply stunning. Go on a day when the fountains are in action if you can.
When King Louis XIV, known as the "Sun King" decided to renovate and expand the existing Palace of Versailles to create one of the worlds grandest and most opulent palaces he considered the creation of the gardens to be just as important.
The design for the gardens of the Chateau de Versailles was charged to André le Nôtre, a leading garden designer of his time.
Le Nôtre designed the gardens in the French formal style with geometric precision and symmetrical layouts.
Work on the gardens began in 1661 and central to the design is the Grande Perspective which is the view from the windows from the famous Hall of Mirrors in the Palace.
The Grande Perspective looks over the Water Parterre next to the chateau, across Latona's fountain, along the Great Lawn and over Apollo's Fountain to the Grand Canal.
This long east-west view over the gardens sets the scene for the gardens as a display of the might and the grandeur of the king.
Closest to the Chateau are the four Parterres and Neptune's Fountain. Leading away from the Chateau is the Grand Perspective with on either side a number of Groves which follow a basic symmetry from one side to the other but each grove has its own symmetrical planting scheme and virtually every one has a fountain or water feature.
Parterres
As you enter the gardens from the main entrance next to the palace you find yourself in the South Parterre. This is the most flowery area of all the gardens.
The low parterres have been planted in swirling symmetrical shapes and infilled with a colourful mix of annuals including zinnias, cosmos and ageratum.
The paths lead you to a balustrade from where you get one of the most impressive views of the garden. This is the view over the Orangery Parterre.
The orangery which already existed in 1663 was doubled in size by the architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart.
It has a central gallery which faces south and is 150 meters long with a high vaulted ceiling. Two wings spread southwards from the gallery under the monumental staircases.
Louis XIV filled the orangery with orange trees from other royal houses and new plants from Spain and Portugal. He also demanded his courtiers gift him their orange trees! He soon had the largest collection of orange trees in Europe.
The orange trees are protected in the orangery in the winter but in the summer they are all brought out and placed around the Orangery Parterre, in a symmetrical pattern of course!
The orange trees are all planted in pale green orange boxes and the view over them all is magnificent.
Next to the South Parterre is the Water Parterre which is directly outside the Hall of Mirrors. This parterre has two large pools of water to reflect light as Le Nôtre considered light and shade to be an important element of garden design.
The North Parterre is on the other side of the Water Parterre. In the central axis of the North Parterre is the Pyramid fountain which was designed by Charles le Brun who was First Painter to the king and designed many of the statues and fountains in the garden.
Further along the Water Walk leads to the beautiful golden Dragon Fountain and beyond this Neptune's fountain.
The Neptune Fountain features Neptune, god of the sea, and has ninety-nine water jets.
To the west of the Water Parterre are the steps leading down to Latona's fountain and Parterre.
It is one of the main highlights of the gardens with its views along the Great Lawn to the Grand Canal. The steps are a popular gathering point to enjoy the views and especially when the fountains are in action.
Latona's fountain represents the story of Diana protecting her children, along with Apollo's mother, from the peasants of Lycia. It was built when Louis XIII was king and modified by Hardouin-Mansart.
Groves and Fountains
All along the sides of Latona's Parterre and the Great Lawn are the symmetrically placed Groves. Each Grove has a different design and most have a water feature or two within them.
The groves have been modified a little over the years but were essentially created by Le Nôtre and some modified by Jules Hardouin-Mansart.
The groves were originally created as small enclosed areas where King Louis XIV and his court could go to enjoy outdoor meals or listen to music. The king apparently also enjoyed theatre and gambling in these garden rooms.
To enjoy all of the garden especially if you also wish to visit the Palace and the Estate of Trianon you really need more than a day however some groves in particular are worth a mention.
The Ballroom Grove has a semi-circular water cascade as its main feature and this is the only cascade in the gardens. It is decorated with gilt vases.
The Ballroom Grove is the only grove which is still in its original design since it was first created by Le Nôtre in 1680.
Apollo's fountain was created under Louis XIII but the fabulous golden statues of Apollo on his chariot were created for Louis XIV from drawings by Le Brun.
Apollo's Bath Grove was created in 1776 in pre-romantic style. It features a large rocky area with caves and waterfalls and three groups of marble statues. These are Apollo and the Nymphs.
The Water Theatre Grove is the only contemporary Grove in the garden. Its fountains were created by Jean-Michel Othoniel. It is the only fountain to be continuously in operation (though sadly out of order when we visited!).
The Musical Fountains Show
On certain days of the week the fountains in the garden are switched on. From 10am to 7pm the Mirror Pool fountains operate every ten minutes, the Neptune fountain every fifteen minutes and the Water Theatre Grove continuously.
Other fountains are turned on at set times and you will be advised of these when you enter the garden.
Every Saturday night during high season there is a special night time opening of the gardens when the fountains are lit up and a firework display takes place and baroque music is played throughout the gardens.
General information
The Chateau and Gardens of Versailles are in the Yvelines department of the Ile de France.
You can visit the gardens as part of the 'Passport' chateau and garden ticket. This gives access to the chateau, gardens, Trianon Estate and Musical Fountains Show on the relevant days.
Alternatively with a gardens-only ticket 'Grandes Eaux Musicale' which is to access the gardens on the days the Musical Fountains are operating.
Only very slightly cheaper is a gardens ticket with music 'billet Jardin Musicale', but no fountains but the difference is only a euro so best to go on a day when the fountains are operating if you can.
From November to March the gardens are free but with no music and fountains.
Be aware that with the all day Passport ticket you can only enter the gardens twice and this has to be by different entrances. To visit the Palace you need to exit the gardens and to enter Trianon you need to exit the gardens and so plan carefully or you may find you have less time in the gardens than you hoped!
To make this work you could visit the garden, exit to visit the chateau at your allotted time, walk outside along the road to Trianon and then re-enter the gardens after you have visited Trianon.
Attractions nearby
The Chateau de Versailles is magnificent, especially the Hall of Mirrors.
The Trianon estate is also well worth a visit. The gardens are much more floral than those of the Chateau. It's a lot to visit the gardens, the chateau and Trianon but the Passport ticket allows you to do so.
See more gardens in France. You can find more travel ideas in the Paris region guide.
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The Trianon Estate of the Chateau de Versailles
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The Trianon Estate of the Chateau de Versailles guide
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Porte de Vanves flea market
The Vanves flea market is one of the most popular of the flea markets in Paris and a great place to find a bargain.
Porte de Vanves flea market guideThe French version of this page is at Gardens of the Chateau de Versailles (Francais)