The Musical Fountains Show (Grandes Eaux Musicales) runs at the Palace of Versailles on most Tuesdays (from May), and every Saturday and Sunday from late March to late October, from 10 am to 7 pm. On these days, all 50 fountains in the gardens run simultaneously to baroque music by Lully, Handel, and other composers from the era of Louis XIV. A €10 garden surcharge applies on show days — this is included in the Full Access Ticket. This is the daytime show, entirely separate from the Saturday evening Night Fountains Show.
The Musical Fountains Show is the daytime garden spectacle at Versailles — and it’s one of the most beautiful ways to experience the estate. When all 50 fountains run simultaneously to baroque music across the 800-hectare gardens, the effect is genuinely spectacular: water jets reaching 25 metres into the air, gilded sculptures alive with movement, and baroque music echoing across the parterres. Here’s everything you need to know to plan your visit.
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2026 Musical Fountains Show Schedule
| Day | Dates | Hours |
| Tuesday | From early May to late June; plus 15 August | 10 am – 7 pm |
| Saturday | Late March to late October (most Saturdays) | 10 am – 7 pm |
| Sunday | Late March to late October (most Sundays) | 10 am – 7 pm |
Note: Exact 2026 show dates should be confirmed at en.chateauversailles.fr before your visit, as some dates are excluded. Check the official Versailles events calendar for the precise schedule.
Ticket Prices on Musical Fountains Days
On Musical Fountains Show days, a €10 garden surcharge applies. This is in addition to the standard palace entry fee.
| Ticket | Musical Fountains Day Price |
| Full Access Ticket (adult) | €32 — Musical Fountains surcharge INCLUDED |
| Palace-Only Ticket (adult) | €21 for palace only; €10 extra if you want garden access on show day |
| Gardens only (no palace) | €10 (garden surcharge only) |
| Child (7–17) | Free palace entry; €0 or €10 garden surcharge depending on day |
| EU resident under 26 / under 18 | Free palace entry; €10 garden surcharge if entering gardens on show day |
The Full Access Ticket (€32) is the best value on Musical Fountains days — it covers the palace, gardens, and Trianon Estate in a single price, with the €10 garden surcharge already included. No extra payment needed at the garden entrance.
What You’ll See: The Main Fountains
- Apollo Fountain — the centrepiece of the main garden axis; a gilded Apollo rising from the water in his solar chariot. The fountain jet reaches dramatic heights when running at full pressure
- Latona Fountain — tiered marble fountain at the top of the main axis; depicts the myth of Latona and the Lycian peasants
- Neptune Fountain — the largest fountain in the gardens, at the far northern end; 99 water jets creating an extraordinary display
- Dragon Fountain — dramatic central dragon with surrounding dolphins and cherubs
- Four Seasons Fountains — Spring (Flora), Summer (Ceres), Autumn (Bacchus), Winter (Saturn) around the main axis
- Bosquet fountains — each of the 13 ornamental groves has its own fountain; the Colonnade, Ballroom Grove, and Enceladus are particularly spectacular when running
Best Viewing Spots and Tips
- The Latona Fountain — stand at the top of the Latona Parterre for the Grand Perspective view: Latona Fountain in the foreground, Apollo Fountain in the middle, Grand Canal on the horizon
- The Apollo Fountain at the bottom of the main axis — the scale and drama of the central fountain jet is best appreciated from this angle
- The Neptune Fountain — arrive at the north end of the gardens for the full display of all 99 jets
- The Bosquet groves — wander through the hedged pathways between shows; the Colonnade Grove with its circular marble arcade is one of the most beautiful and least-visited spots on the estate
- Fountains run throughout the day from 10 am to 7 pm, not just at scheduled times — you can see them at any point during this window
Musical Fountains Show vs Night Fountains Show
These are two entirely separate events. Many visitors confuse them. Here’s the key difference:
| Musical Fountains Show | Night Fountains Show | |
| Time | Daytime — 10 am to 7 pm | Evening — from 8:30 pm |
| Days | Most Tues (from May), Sat & Sun (Mar–Oct) | Saturdays only (June–September) |
| Music | Baroque (Lully, Handel, Charpentier) | Baroque + illuminations + fireworks |
| Ticket | €10 surcharge (included in Full Access) | Separate ticket (€32 adult) |
| Fireworks | No | Yes (approx. 10:45 pm) |
| Palace access | With standard palace ticket | Gardens only (separate entrance) |
The Night Fountains Show (Grandes Eaux Nocturnes) is a separate Saturday evening event running June–September — illuminated fountains, baroque music, and fireworks — and requires a separate ticket (€32 adult). The two shows can be combined on the same Saturday (day visit with Full Access Ticket + evening Night Show ticket) for a spectacular double experience.
Practical Tips for Musical Fountains Days
- The gardens are more crowded on show days than non-show days — arrive early for the palace and head to the gardens when they start to thin out after 2 pm
- A Full Access Ticket is the best option — the €10 surcharge is already included and you avoid paying extra at the garden gates
- The fountains run all day from 10 am to 7 pm — you don’t need to be in the gardens for a specific time to see them
- On Musical Fountains Saturdays, the Night Fountains Show follows in the evening — book a combined day — if you can
