Parc de Versailles — Attraction in Versailles

The estate of Versailles consists of the palace, the subsidiary buildings around it, and its park fr] and gardens. As of June 2021, the estate altogether covers an area of 800 hectares (8.0 km2; 2,000 acres),[178] with the park and gardens laid out to the south, west, and north of the palace.[179] The palace is approached from the east by the Avenue de Paris, measuring 17 miles (27 km) from Paris to a gate between the Grande and Petite Écuries.[180] Beyond these stables is the Place d'Armes,[181 where the Avenue de Paris meets the Avenue de Sceaux and Avenue de Saint-Cloud (see map), the three roads that formed the main arteries of the city of Versailles.46 Exactly where the three roads meet is a gate leading into the cour d'honneur,184] hemmed in by the Ministers' Wings.[181 Beyond is the Royal Gate and the main palace,182] which wraps around the Royal [fr and finally Marble Courts fr].[186] The estate was established by Louis XIII as a hunting retreat,[5 with a park just to the west of his château.17] From 1661, Louis XIV expanded the estate until,[188 at its greatest extent, the estate was made up by the Grand Parc fr], a hunting ground of 15,000 hectares (150 km2; 37,000 acres),[187 and the gardens, called the Petit Parc,179] which covered 1,700 hectares (17 km2; 4,200 acres). A 25-mile (40 km) long, 10-foot (3.0 m) high wall with 24 gateways enclosed the estate.[187] The landscape of the estate had to be created from the bog that surrounded Louis XIII's château using landscape architecture usually employed in fortress building.[190] The approach to the palace and the gardens were carefully laid out via the moving of earth and construction of terraces.[191 The water from the marsh was marshalled into a series of lakes and ponds around Versailles,193] but these reservoirs were not sufficient for the palace, city, or gardens. Great lengths were taken to supply Versailles with water, such as the damming of the river Bièvre to create an inflow in the 1660s, the construction of an enormous pumping station at the river Seine near Marly-le-Roi in 1681, and an attempt to divert water from the river Eure with a canal in the later 1680s.[194

Gardensedit

Main article: Gardens of Versailles

View of the gardens of Versailles, looking northwest from the palace The gardens of Versailles, as they have existed since the reign of Louis XIV, are the work of André Le Nôtre. Le Nôtre's gardens were preceded by a simple garden laid out in the 1630s by landscape architects Jacques Boyceau and Jacques de Nemours,196] which he rearranged along an east–west axis that,[197] because of Louis XIV's land purchases and the clearing of woodland,[44[179] were expanded literally as far as could be seen.[197] The resulting gardens were a collaboration between Le Nôtre, Le Brun, Colbert, and Louis XIV,[192] marked by rigid order, discipline,[44] and open space, with axial paths, flowerbeds, hedges, and ponds and lakes as motifs.[136] They became the epitome of the French formal garden style,[198] and have been very influential and widely imitated or...

Relaxing Parc de Versailles

The expansive, meticulously manicured gardens of the Palace of Versailles have been a highlight for visitors to this iconic French landmark. The lush grounds, featuring ornate fountains, symmetrical hedgerows, and stunning vistas, have allowed guests to fully immerse themselves in the grandeur of the royal estate.

Freely wandering the Parc de Versailles has long been an integral part of the Versailles experience, with the gardens' access included as part of the palace admission ticket. This inclusive approach has enabled visitors to seamlessly transition between the opulent interiors and the beautifully landscaped exteriors, creating a truly comprehensive look at the splendor of the former royal residence.

However, in recent years, those wishing to explore the Parc de Versailles must purchase a separate ticket, beyond the admission for the palace itself. This added cost can be disappointing for return visitors who had grown accustomed to the gardens being part of the overall Versailles experience.

It used to allow visitors to freely wander the expansive grounds as part of their palace visit. Now, visitors must carefully budget and plan for the additional expense if they want to fully experience the famous gardens...

No, it is not always free. Entrance costs 10 euros when music is played or the fountain jets are activated, which happens quite often. This was the case during my visit. But it was well worth the price. The jets were not that impressive but the music gave another dimension, another depth to this visit that made it unforgettable. I am not exaggerating. The experience was superb, and when I had to rest or take a break between the long walks, because it takes 2 to 3 hours to visit them, it was absolutely magnificent. I took care to plan my visit on a sunny day, which was easy since there is no need to book your ticket in advance. You'll just have to wait for the right day and then take the train to Versailles (30 minutes from Paris) and that's it. Totally...