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Versailles Tourist Attractions and Versailles Sightseeing
(Versailles, Ile-de-France, France, FR)



Although most tourists really do come to Versailles simply to visit the palace, and that really is reason enough, there are a number of additional attractions that are certainly worth considering. A number of these tourist attractions are related to the château itself, such as the Palace Gardens, Marie Antoinette's Village / Hamlet, the Grand Trianon and the Petit Trianon, all of which are quite simply spectacular.

Most tour buses simply stop outside of the Palace of Versailles and so visitors wishing to explore the city further may need to make a little extra effort, which they will soon find to be well worth it. Within Versailles itself are some excellent shops and restaurants, particularly around central areas such as the Place du Marché, while close by, tourist attractions include the enormous Arboretum de Chevrèloup and the Désert de Rez Park.




Versailles Tourist Attractions: Gardens of Versailles / Palace Gardens - Place d'Armes, Versailles, France, FR
Tel: +33 01 3083 7800
The Palace Gardens are just another good reason to visit the Château de Versailles and for many, are just as big an attraction as the palace itself. Closest to the palace, the French-style gardens were originally laid out just over 300 years ago and feature a number of terraces, colourful flower borders, topiary and pathways lined with trees. The Jardins du Petit Trainon are noticeably more relaxed and English in their style, with winding pathways and informal planting. Particularly famous, the Grand Canal (measuring a staggering 1.5 km / 1 mile in length) is of great historical significance and it was here that Louis XIV once held his famous boating parties. Today, visitors can hire rowing boats and only begin to imagine what this long stretch of water has seen over the years. Other garden attractions surrounding the Palace of Versailles include the 17th-century Bassin de Neptune fountain and the simply enormous Orangery (Orangerie), once home to around 3,000 trees.
Versailles tourist attraction open: Tuesday to Sunday, April to October - 09:00 to 18:30; November to March - 09:00 to 17:30
Versailles tourist attraction admission: charge, discounts for children

Versailles Tourist Attractions: Arboretum de Chevrèloup - 30 Route de Versailles, Rocquencourt, FR-78150, France, FR
The Arboretum de Chevrèloup is one attraction that no horticulturist should overlook and was once the setting of King Louis XV's personal deer park. Covering approximately 50 hectares / 124 acres, the arboretum features exotic plant and tree specimens from all over the world, with more than 5,000 different species, 100,000 different plants and a number of tropical greenhouses. The Arboretum de Chevrèloup is perfect for those looking for a quiet place to picnic and is located on the northerly outskirts of Versailles. It can be reached in roughly ten minutes.
Versailles tourist attraction open: daily
Versailles tourist attraction admission: charge

Versailles Tourist Attractions: Grand Trianon - Trianon, Versailles, France, FR
King Louis XIV purchased the small hamlet of Trianon in the late 17th century, on the very outskirts of the city and the far side of the palace gardens. Soon after, the king commissioned the building of a private residence for him and his mistress, Françoise-Athénaïs de Mortemart, away from the Château de Versailles, and a palace named the Porcelain Trianon came into being. However, it was not long until the king realised that the porcelain-tile facade was not weathering very well, and so it was demolished and replaced with a much larger private palace, known initially as the Marble Trainon (Marble Trianon), and today named the Grand Trianon, being much larger than the nearby Petit Trianon, which is also in the grounds of the château itself.
Versailles tourist attraction open: daily
Versailles tourist attraction admission: charge

Versailles Tourist Attractions: Petit Trianon - Place d'Armes, Versailles, France, FR
The Petit Trianon is a small palace / mansion located close to the Château de Versailles. Dating back to the 1760s, the Petit Trianon was constructed for King Louis XV and his famous mistress, Madame de Pompadour. However, sadly Madame de Pompadour died before its completion and so was never able to actually step foot inside. In 1774, the young and recently crowned Louis XVI decided to give the Petit Trianon to his wife, Queen Marie Antoinette. Visitors are able to explore the elaborately decorated rooms and private apartments, which provide a small insight into private royal life away from the château.
Versailles tourist attraction open: Tuesday to Sunday, April to October - 09:00 to 18:30; November to March - 09:00 to 17:30
Versailles tourist attraction admission: charge, discounts for children

Versailles Tourist Attractions: Marie Antoinette's Village / Queen's Hamlet (Hameau de la Reine) - Versailles, France, FR
Located within the palace gardens, Marie Antoinette's Village comprises a total of 12 small rural-style stone cottages, with quaint thatched roofs. Other attractions include a dairy farm, a mill, various grottoes and a rather eye-catching dovecot. Also known as the 'Village of the Queen' or the 'Queen's Hamlet', Marie Antoinette built the village so that should could experience a more simple pace of life and play milkmaid, away from the palace and the formalities that came with it.
Versailles tourist attraction open: daily
Versailles tourist attraction admission: charge

Versailles Tourist Attractions: Désert de Rez Park - 6 Allée Frederic Passy, Chambourcy, FR-78240, France, FR
The Désert de Rez is a spreading park located part way between both Versailles and Paris, and alongside the Forest of Marly. Covering some 40 hectares / 100 acres, this popular attraction incorporates much of the natural scenery and landscape, featuring a series of streams, hills and hummocks. The Désert de Rez Park was first laid out just over 200 years ago and its strong natural element and feeling offers a tremendous contrast to the busy lifestyle of those living in Paris.
Versailles tourist attraction open: daily
Versailles tourist attraction admission: charge

Versailles Tourist Attractions: Parc Balbi - Rue du Maréchal Joffre, Versailles, France, FR
A charming English-style park situated alongside the King's Gardens, the Parc Balbi dates back to the 1780s. The entrance to the Parc Balbi is located on the Rue du Maréchal Joffre. Over the years, the overall appearance of the gardens has changed greatly and today, visitors will find a wealth of fruit and vegetables grown here, including large orchards, along with a long pond and interesting cave.
Versailles tourist attraction open: daily
Versailles tourist attraction admission: free

 
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