This page offers you the map of the Chateau of Versailles and its estate (check out the map below) and gives you a step-by-step fully comprehensive overview which will allow you to make the most out of your visit to the Versailles gardens.
It highlights key attractions and allows you to orientate them as well as giving the distance & time in between the attractions in order to plan your time in Versailles.
We offer you this step-by-step guide which enables you to make your own itinerary in Versailles depending on your interests and time available at your disposal.
Enjoy Versailles
On this map of Versailles, we propose to you an overview of the Palace of Versailles and its gardens to understand better the Domain of Versailles.
Before the French revolution in 1789, The Royal Palace of Versailles and its Estate comprised around 8000 hectares. As you can imagine, that was a remarkable domain and nowadays it still remains an amazing sight: one of the wonders of France. Today, the Palace of Versailles and its domain still make up 830 hectares (nothing less!) & 8 miles of paths give you the opportunity to enjoy this vast site.
This ancient Royal Domain is now the property of the French government and includes :
- The main palace with about 2000 rooms, (yellow ticks on the Versailles map below)
- 2 royal residences: the Petit Trianon & The Grand Trianon,
- 70 hectares of gardens and bosquets including 16 groves and 75 fountains ! (red ticks on the Versailles map below)
- 431 hectares for the large park
- 24 hectares for the Grand Canal
- 96 hectares for Marie Antoinette’s Estate (blue ticks on the Versailles map below).
- As well as hundreds of statues and secret groves, greenhouses, and much much more.
The palace of Versailles, its parks and gardens are really THE place to visit when you come to Paris for the first time. Statues, busts and vases make these gardens a real open-air museum.
However, for your information, Versailles is also a lovely old town with an estimated 85,000 residents living in the glittering shadow of the palace and its gardens / Parks. Without a doubt a visit to Versailles will be one of the highlights of your trip to Paris. We propose you to check out the Versailles Map below and follow our advice to plan your own Versailles visit according to your own interest and time available, to make sure you get the most out of your day in Versailles.
Get a bigger version on this link: https://fr.map-of-paris.com/plans-parcs—jardins/plan-jardin-chateau-de-versailles
The map is laid out in 3 Key Sections:
1/ In the lower half of the map you can see the Chateau, parking lots and the Royal Stables with yellow squares showing points of interest. Please note that the RER C is visible on this map.
2/ The central section with the red squares shows the French Formal Gardens.
3/ At the top centre of the map you can see the Grand Canal and the Estate.
In the top right hand side of the map you will see the Trianon Estate including the Domain of Marie Antoinette and the Queen’s Hamlet, this area is marked out with blue squares.
Most visitors who come on their own will take the train from Paris to get to Versailles with the RER C. This will bring you to the station called Versailles Rive Gauche or Versailles Chantier.
Coming out of the station, cross the road in front of you and turn right. You will walk to the end of the street then take the left. The Chateau of Versailles will then be right in front of you. Before you get to the Chateau itself there is the Great Courtyard on either side of you, where today there is the car park for general visitors and the coach park for groups.
In the middle of this Great Courtyard (yellow tick n°1 on the Versailles map above) you will see a statue of Louis XIV on horseback, this will let you know you have arrived.
If you are walking from the Station to the Chateau it is about 2km / 1 mile and should take you around 10-15 minutes.
Before the Chateau of Versailles, there is a gate. There will be a security check. Please note that this is a bag check; though not very thorough. Still in the summer when there are a lot of visitors you might have to wait for 5-10 minutes. The gateway is called the Honor Gate, and leads to the Honor Courtyard (yellow tick n°2 on the Versailles map above).
Once you arrive here will have several options.
If you have not yet bought your tickets you will need to head to the building on the left of the courtyard: The Minister’s Wing (yellow tick n°8 on the Versailles map above). This is where the ticket office is situated.
Tickets to Versailles:17€ adults
Free Under 18 years (Worldwide)
Free Under 26 years (EU students)
The visiting time in the Chateau is estimated 1-2h
If you already bought yours tickets online before coming, then you won’t need to get to the ticket office. in this case you can reach the main entry and make the queue at the main entry. You can’t miss the main entry of the chateau of Versailles: you just need to follow the queue.
Once you entered in the chateau you can’t miss the pathway. You just need to follow the path.
Paris to Versailles Private Tour’s Must Sees:
The Princesses’ Apartments located on the ground floor, entry via the marble courtyard (yellow tick n°4 on the Versailles map above) Home to the daughters of Louis XIV, these rooms are a little secret paradise away from the main stage of Versailles life. Delicately decorated and elegantly appointed this will transport you back instantly to the secluded lives of these royal ladies.
The exit of the Chateau is on the left hand side, this is perfect for accessing the gardens. On the map you will see a red line, you can follow this to lead you through the gardens. Once inside I recommend turning left and walking through the Parterre (tick n°26 on the Versailles map above) so as not to miss the view out over the Orangerie (tick n°27 on the Versailles map above) where the Kings’ of France used to keep their collection of Orange trees. Take a rest on the Balcony for a bird’s eye view like Lorenzo and his guests on the photo below.
Returning to the red guide line. This will take you along the Great Perspective which begins at (tick n°23 on the Versailles map above) From the Access to the Gardens to the beginning of the Great Perspective is around 200m/0.2 miles. With a brief visit to the Orangerie, it will take 3 minutes to get your first view of the Great Perspective.
The beginning of the Great Perspective is marked by a staircase flanked by 2 fountains. Standing here will give you a good view of the whole garden, but you might think it doesn’t look that big, however don’t let your eyes deceive you! The master gardener Andre Le Notre, who dedicated 50 years of his life creating this estate, had a few tricks up his ruffled sleeves. From where you are standing at (tick n°23 on the Versailles map above) to the end of the French Gardens at the Fountain of Apollo (yellow tick n°9 on the Versailles map above) is actually 500m/ 0.3 miles and will take you around 10 minutes to walk. On this walk you will go alongside the Green Carpet (tick n°16 on the Versailles map above) Which at 330m/ 1082 yards long, is actually longer than the Eiffel Tower is tall.
Tickets to the gardens on a fountain day: 9.50€ adults & Free Under 5 years (Worldwide)
On either side of the Great Perspective are the groves of the French Formal Garden. These were created, for the most part, by the master gardener André Le Notre, over 50 years. The groves can be seen as rooms in an outdoor house, the mirror image of the Chateau in some senses. The philosophy of the garden is balance and symmetry to create a vision of Heaven on Earth
Please note- The Groves are only open during selected days- Tuesday/Saturday/Sunday April-October.
If you want to visit the gardens please allow at least 2h without a lunch break or 2-4h with a lunch break.
The groves make up around 300 hectares, though some groves are more interesting than others. For example we recommend visiting
Groves on the Left hand side of the Garden starting from nearest to the Chateau and descending down the garden.
The Ballroom (tick n°30 on the Versailles map above)
The Mirror Bassin (tick n°35 on the Versailles map above)
The Colonnade Grove (tick n°33 on the Versailles map above)
Groves on the Right hand side of the Garden, starting from the end of the garden and moving up towards the Chateau.
The Enceladus Grove (tick n°10 on the Versailles map above)
The Grove of Apollo’s Bath (tick n°21 on the Versailles map above)
The Three Fountains grove (tick n°24 on the Versailles map above)
Dragon Fountain and Basin of Neptune (tick n°26 on the Versailles map above)
The Triumphal Fontain (tick n°29 on the Versailles map above)
Each of these groves has interesting architectural, sculptural or artistic features and should not be missed during a visit of the gardens.
If you follow the red line on the map you will come to the Trianon Estate this is made of 3 points of interest
The Grand Trianon(43)
The Petit Trianon (45)
The Queen’s Hamlet and English Garden (55)
The walk from the Chateau to the Trianons is 2.2km/ 1.6 miles and will take around 30 minutes. There are other means of transportation (see below)
If you want to see all three of these attractions you should set at least 3-4h without a lunch break or 4-5h with a lunch break.
A pass to visit the Estate :10€ adults
Free Under 18 years (Worldwide)
Free Under 26 years (EU students)
The Grand Trianon (43) is Louis XIV’s summer residence, where he could enjoy time away from the court. This building is beautifully decorated in the 19th Century Empirical style. Home to Napoleon’s mother and then his second wife at the beginning of the 1800s, it is truly gorgeous, though far from what it would have been in the time of the Kings.
As well as the building there is a small formal garden behind, which is worth a visit if you are going to focus on the Trianons. There is a beautiful piece of Baroque sculpture in the Apollo Water feature (45) from the Grand Trianon to the water feature is 200m/ 0.12 miles and will take around 3 minutes to get to.
Leaving the Grand Trianon, take a left and head down the cobbled walk way to arrive at the Petit Trianon.
The Petit Trianon (44) is an 18th century residence built by Louis XV as a gift to his mistresses. However it would be given to Marie Antoinette by Louis XVI in 1781. With its simplicity and delicate decoration it became a place of refuge for the Queen from the stresses of court. Once you enter into the Petit Trianon, you can feel its timeless quality.
Visiting the building itself will take around 15 minutes, however once you leave the building of the Petit Trianon you can walk through the English garden, following a network of little pathways. Along the way one of the most interesting features is the Temple of Love (51) which really takes you back to the time of courtesans and galants.
Though it is only 600 meters/ 0.4 miles to the Queen’s Hamlet (56), it will take you around 15 minutes to walk there.
Built for the Queen Marie Antoinette in the 1780s, the hamlet is a perfect copy of a rural village where the Queen could pretend to be a member of the peasant class. The buildings are quaint and so darling. The hamlet is very photogenic, especially the Queen’s Residence (55) at the heart of the hamlet. Wandering around the hamlet should take around 20 minutes. Especially if you want to head to the top right of the map where you will see the Queen’s Farm (61), which is still home to rabbits, chickens, cows, donkeys and other farmyard creatures.
The walk back from the farm yard to the Trianon is around 700m/ 0.4miles and will take you about 10 minutes.
There is only one way to leave the Petit Trianon. This will take you to the courtyard outside of the Petit Trianon. Here as you can see on your map is the meeting point for the little train.
General Information
Visiting the Palace and Gardens of Versailles is really a full day excursion, if you want to see all that this attraction has to offer. However it is important to go at your own pace, especially if you have children, elderly or handicapped visitors in your group. And sometimes, you just don’t have enough time in your schedule to take an entire day in Versailles, therefore we offer our best advice for seeing the Palace and grounds, so as to get the most out of your time in Paris.
So make sure to be realistic about what you want to see. Here are some possible (though not exhaustive) combinations, based on our years of experience that work well.
The walk from the Station – Chateau 2km/ 1 mils 15 min walking
The walk from Chateau -the end of the gardens 550m/0.34 miles 7-8mins
The walk from the Formal Gardens – the Trianon Estate 1km/0.6 miles 12mins.
The walk from the Petit Trianon – the Queen’s Hamlet 800m/ 0.54 miles 10mins
The walk around the entire Grand Canal 5km/ 3.1 miles 1h-1.15h
What’s a French Garden ?
The King of France “Louis XIV” also called “The Sun King” asked the gardener “André Le Nôtre” in 1661 to create the gardens of Versailles. The work lasted 40 years. André Le Nôtre will create a “French” Garden, in which nature is controlled to form a regular and symmetrical whole. At the center of this garden is an avenue of grass: it is the axis of perspective, which leads our eyes to the infinite and the horizon. In 2013, we celebrated the 400th anniversary of the Birth of this Magical Gardener who worked to build several parks and gardens including the park of The Royal Castle of Saint Germain en Laye where the Sun King was born as well as the Garden of the castle of Chantilly.
TOP TIP: If you have some spare time we absolutely recommend you book a night in a hotel in the town of Versailles allowing you to get a feel for the town and really experience where the Sun King set up the power of France 400 years ago.
If you are interested, check our hotel recommendations
We can also organize your full stay in Versailles.
If you need to know how to get to Versailles, check out this page:
If you want to learn more about the history of Versailles, check out this page:
43 Comments. Leave new
What a huge disappointment with none of the fountains were on during our visit to Versailles palace! At least there should always be some on. Already 2 ateas were closed.
Hello Julie,
Yes I can understand. Better to visit the Palace of versailles on Saturday or Sunday.
Best,
Xavier
Hello … I am wanting to clarify re the gardens and fountains. Do the fountains operate in September on the weekend. Is the weekend i.e. Saturday or Sunday the most likely days they are in their glory.
Thank you ❤️
Yes the musical fountains show works on Sept during the week end.
Thw fountain show happens in December?
No sorry.
Xavier,
We are visiting Paris from 17 December to 31 December. Which days are likely tpo be the better ones to visit Versailles?
Many Thanks,
I have purchased a Paris Pass that gives me right to enter the Chateau and the gardens when there’s no water shows scheduled.
As I am going with two old ladies
The question is: is our priority access guaranteed or we are gonna have to queue to enter beyond the security line?
My visit is scheduled to September 27.
Thanks in advance
Bonjour Everton,
Your Paris pass Museum Pass enables you to avoid to queue to buy your tickets to Versailles palace. But you won’t skip the queue to enter inside the palace of versaille. If you need to skip the line, you need to choose a Versailles guided tour. The professional guides are the only people to be able to buy tickets to skip the line. Have a good day,
Xavier
Good afternoon.
We are going to be in Paris from the 23 March to the 26th March. Will the fountains be working on the weekends in March?
Regards
Rob
Not sure about the date at the moment. Can you come back in 2018? I’ll check then.
Thank you!
Xavier
Bonjour Xavier,
Do you know if the fountains will be open in March? Are they only open on the weekends?
Merci,
Luisa
Good morning Luisa,
The Versailles fountains don’t work on March. Sorry!
Maybe see you in the grounds of the chateau,
Best,
Xavier
Will the fountain be on bet ween March 3 to March 7 ? Being March 3rd and 4th on a weekend ? If we only want to do the biking of the garden, will it be open that time period or where do we go to enter?
Good afternoon Josie,
Sorry, the fountains won’t be working on March in the gardens of Versailles. You’ll need to wait unti th eend of the month.
Best
Xavier
what days are the fountains off? My husband and I would like to visit in April but would like to the fountains to be on. Thanks!
Hi Lisa,
The schedule changes all the time at Versailles. And it doesn’t work the entire day. Just a few hours. Not to say a few minutes!
On April, if you wish to the Musical Fountains in the gardens, choose a Saturday and Sunday. Have a nice visit to Versailles.
Best,
Xavier
Hi Xavier, can I take a RER to the palace, and meet a tour guide? Which means to say I book a tour guide way before I go.
Yes June, you can. To see the rates, you just need to fill out the booking form and choose “without transportation”. Then you will see the price! And if interested, you can book online your tour to Versailles. It is very easy.
Best regards,
Xavier
Hello there
Will the fountains be operating in October 2018
Thanks
Yes it will on Saturday and Sunday only
Yes it will work on Saturday and Sunday only
my family and i will be visiting Paris from August 5-8, will the fountains at Versailles be working then?
Choose August 5
Hi Xavier, are the fountains working on Friday June 29th, do advice please
BR
The fountains don’t work on Friday at Versailles.
Will the fountains be operating on August 10, 2018?
Hi Kathy, it doesnt work on Friday.
Good afternoon .
we will be Paris from Monday 24 SET to 27 SEPT .
Which date you recommend us to visit to get the best of everything including musical fountain .
Please let us know.
Keniya
Hi Keniya,
You won’t see the fountains in working condition between 24 sept to 27 sept. The Versailles fountains only works on Saturday and Sunday at this time of the year.
I am visiting Versailles on Sunday 2nd September until Tuesday 4th September. I shall arrive at my hotel around 8pm Sunday night and hopefully will have Monday to explore the gardens by bike, then explore the chateau on the Tuesday. I must leave Versailles 5pm on the Tuesday. Does this sound a good plan?
Many thanks.
NV
Perfect plan!
hi, we hope to visit November 25, would this be a good time to come.
Thankyou.
A perfect day to visit Versailles!
Hi, first time in Paris and we’re visiting Versailles end of May… a month away! Will the fountains be operating during the week? Can you tell me the best way to get there from Gard du nord? Thanks
Dear Rita,
Fountains at Versailles palace only work on Tuesday, Sat and Sun.
Best
Xavier
Will be in Paris Oct. 24-29. What is the fountain schedule at Versailles during this time? Weekends only?
Week end and Tuesday!
Enjoy your stay,
Xavier
Hey, thanks for the article post. Fantastic.
It is always a pleasure to write about Versailles
I’ve been to Versailles three times ( Fall 2003, Spring 2019, Fall 2021), and each time I was unaware that I could’ve also visited the Petit Trianon and the Grand Trianon. Oh well, now I have another reason to visit Paris and Versailles for a 4th time ! Next time I’ll skip the Palace and head straight for the Trianons.
I think Versailles is quite lovely to visit in November. Yes, it was a bit cold and windy outside and there was no water show, but the crowd was smaller and the fall leaves were lovely.
My family and I are visiting Paris and will be traveling to the Palace of Versailles on July 19th . We only want to visit the gardens. Can we purchase tickets only for the gardens ? If so can we purchase the tickets at the palace entrance on the day we are visiting Or do we have to purchase in advance . Thank you
Bonjour Kevin,
No need to purchase the tickets in advance for the gardens. But better to buy online if you can. Enjoy your private tour to Versailles gardens.
Xavier