The Palace of Versailles is located in the town of Versailles, 20 km southwest of Paris. Within walking distance or a short bus ride from the palace, you’ll find the famous Notre-Dame Market (13-minute walk; Tuesday, Friday, Sunday mornings), the Musée Lambinet (18-minute walk), and the Domaine de Madame Élisabeth (25-minute walk). The Arboretum de Chèvreloup (200 hectares; 40 minutes by bus) is ideal for those wanting a full day in the area.
Most visitors to Versailles spend their entire time within the palace estate — which is understandable, given its scale. But the town of Versailles is one of the most charming and historically rich towns in France, with its own excellent market, museums, gardens, and historic monuments. If you’re spending more than one day in the area, or if you arrive early and want to explore before the palace opens, here’s what to see and do nearby.
Top Tickets
Table of Contents
Notre-Dame Market — The Best Morning Stop
The Versailles Notre-Dame Market is one of the finest traditional markets in the Île-de-France region, established nearly 300 years ago during the reign of Louis XIV to supply provisions to the royal court. Today it’s a lively, authentic French market selling fresh vegetables, fruit, artisan cheeses, bread, charcuterie, pastries, flowers, and non-food items.
It’s an excellent place to assemble a picnic before entering the palace estate — stock up on bread, cheese, and seasonal produce, then head to one of the designated picnic areas by the Swiss Ornamental Lake or the Grand Canal. The Versailles Bike Tour includes a 30-minute stop at this market as part of its itinerary.
| Detail | Information |
| Address | Place du Marché Notre-Dame, 78000 Versailles |
| Distance from palace | 13-minute walk |
| Covered market (Halles Notre-Dame) | Tue–Sat: 7 am–1:30 pm & 3 pm–7:30 pm; Sun: 7 am–2 pm |
| Open-air market (Carrés Notre-Dame) | Tue, Fri, Sun: 7:30 am–2 pm |
| Non-food market | Wed, Thu, Sat: 11 am–7:30 pm |
Musée Lambinet — 18th-Century Life in Versailles
The Musée Lambinet occupies an elegant 18th-century mansion on the Boulevard de la Reine and focuses on life in Versailles during the Ancien Régime — the court, the town, and the French Revolution. Its collection spans paintings, sculptures, furniture, ceramics, and historical documents, with particular depth on the Revolutionary period and the social history of Versailles itself. Awarded ‘Musée de France’ status in 2004, it’s a genuinely interesting complement to the palace visit.
| Detail | Information |
| Address | 54 Boulevard de la Reine, 78000 Versailles |
| Distance from palace | 18-minute walk |
| Hours | Wed & Fri: 12 pm–7 pm; Sat & Sun: 10 am–7 pm |
| Closed | Mon, Tue, and select holidays |
| Entry | Standard museum pricing; check website for current rates |
Domaine de Madame Élisabeth — Royal Gardens
Louis XVI gifted this estate to his younger sister, Princess Élisabeth, in 1783. The neoclassical buildings were constructed between 1784 and 1789 and include a charming circular chapel and a historic summer refreshment bar. The gardens are the main draw — peaceful, beautifully maintained, and far less crowded than the palace estate. It’s a lovely spot for a walk, particularly in the afternoon when the main palace is at its busiest.
| Detail | Information |
| Address | 73 Av. de Paris, 78000 Versailles |
| Distance from palace | 25-minute walk or 17-minute bus ride |
| Hours (Apr–Sep) | 11 am – 8 pm |
| Hours (Oct–Mar) | 11 am – 6 pm |
| Open | Monday to Sunday year-round |
Aqueduc de Buc — Historic Engineering
One of the lesser-known connections between the town of Versailles and the palace is the Aqueduc de Buc — a 580-metre-long, 28-metre-high Roman-style aqueduct built between 1684 and 1686 as part of the hydraulic infrastructure supplying water to the palace fountains. It’s a remarkable example of 17th-century engineering and can be visited freely at any time of year. A pleasant spot for a walk in the Versailles countryside.
| Detail | Information |
| Address | Rue du Régiment Royal de Normandie, 78530 Buc, France |
| Distance from palace | 30-minute train ride |
| Entry | Free; open year-round |
Arboretum de Chèvreloup — Botanical Gardens
For nature lovers or anyone wanting a quieter outdoor experience, the Arboretum de Chèvreloup is one of the finest botanical gardens near Paris. Covering over 200 hectares, it contains nearly 2,500 tree and plant specimens from around the world, with collections including Japanese cherry trees, a circle of ancient oaks, flower meadows, and the Chèvreloup Reservoir. Walking paths wind throughout, making it perfect for a leisurely few hours.
| Detail | Information |
| Address | 30 Rte de Versailles, 78150 Le Chesnay-Rocquencourt, France |
| Distance from palace | 40-minute bus ride |
| Hours | 10 am – 6 pm (Mar–Oct); 10 am – 5 pm (Nov–Feb) |
| Closed | 1 May and 25 Dec–1 Jan |
Quick Reference: Nearby Attractions
| Attraction | Distance | Travel Time | Best For |
| Notre-Dame Market | 1 km | 13 min walk | Picnic supplies, local produce, atmosphere |
| Musée Lambinet | 1.4 km | 18 min walk | French history, 18th-century life, Revolution |
| Domaine de Madame Élisabeth | 2 km | 25 min walk / 17 min bus | Quiet garden walk, royal history |
| Aqueduc de Buc | ~5 km | 30 min train | Engineering history, countryside walk |
| Arboretum de Chèvreloup | ~3 km | 40 min bus | Botanical gardens, nature, peaceful escape |
