The Versailles Night Fountains Show (Grandes Eaux Nocturnes) takes place on Saturday evenings from mid-June to mid-September 2026, starting at 8:30 pm. The show lasts approximately three hours — a walk through illuminated gardens with fountains running to baroque music (8:30–10:40 pm), followed by a 15-minute fireworks display (approx. 10:45–11:05 pm). Tickets cost €32 for adults, €10 for children aged 6–17. This is a separate event from the daytime Musical Fountains Show.
Of all the events at Versailles, the Night Fountains Show is the most spectacular. The gardens of Versailles — which are breathtaking in daylight — are transformed after dark into an illuminated, sound-filled world that feels genuinely magical. The fountains run, the hedges glow, and the evening ends with fireworks reflected in the Grand Canal. It’s one of the great summer experiences in France. Here’s everything you need to know for 2026.
Top Tickets
# Versailles Night Fountains Show Ticket
# Full Access Ticket
Table of Contents
Night Fountains Show 2026: Schedule
| Detail | Information |
| Event name | Grandes Eaux Nocturnes (Night Fountains Show) |
| Dates | Saturday evenings, mid-June to mid-September 2026 |
| Show start | 8:30 pm |
| Garden walk | 8:30 pm – 10:40 pm |
| Fireworks | Approx. 10:45 pm – 11:05 pm |
| Total duration | Approx. 3 hours |
| Location | Gardens of the Palace of Versailles |
| Entry point | Entrance A (Dufour Pavilion), Cour d’Honneur |
| Last entry | 9:30 pm |
Note: In September, a special Electro Night Fountains Show replaces the standard baroque programme on selected dates. The electro version runs until 11:45 pm and does not include fireworks. Check the official Versailles schedule for exact 2026 dates.
Ticket Prices
| Visitor Type | Price |
| Adult (18+) | €32 |
| Child (6–17) | €10 |
| Infant (under 6) | Free (ticket required) |
The Night Fountains Show ticket is a separate purchase from standard Versailles entry tickets. However, if you hold a Full Access Ticket for the same day, it includes entry to the daytime Musical Fountains Show — but not the Night Show, which requires its own ticket.
Buy This TicketThese tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. They’re also popular — sell out several weeks in advance for the best summer dates. Book as early as possible.
What to Expect: A Walk Through the Illuminated Gardens
The Night Fountains Show is not a seated performance — it’s a 2-hour walk through the illuminated gardens. You move freely through the estate at your own pace, following lit paths through the groves and fountains as they run to baroque music by Lully, Charpentier, Handel, and other composers from the era of Louis XIV.
The fountains — Apollo, Latona, Neptune, and the garden groves — are all lit in dramatic colours and running at full pressure. The Colonnade Grove, the Ballroom Grove, and the Neptune Fountain are particularly spectacular at night. The smell of the torchlit paths, the sound of the music, and the reflected light on the water create an atmosphere that’s impossible to replicate in daylight.
The evening concludes with a 15-minute fireworks display, beginning around 10:45 pm. The best viewing position is along the Grand Canal or on the higher terraces with a clear sightline across the main garden axis.
Night Fountains Show vs Musical Fountains Show
Visitors often confuse the Night Fountains Show with the Musical Fountains Show. They are two different events. Here’s how they compare:
| Night Fountains Show | Musical Fountains Show | |
| Time | Evening — from 8:30 pm | Daytime — 10 am to 7 pm |
| Days | Saturdays only (Jun–Sep) | Most Tues, Sat & Sun (late Mar–late Oct) |
| Atmosphere | Illuminated, dramatic, evening | Sunny gardens, fountains running |
| Fireworks | Yes — at approx. 10:45 pm | No |
| Ticket | Separate — €32 adult | €10 surcharge (included in Full Access Ticket) |
| Duration | ~3 hours | All day (gardens open 10 am–7 pm on show days) |
| Palace access | Not included (gardens only) | Not included separately |
If you’re visiting Versailles during the day and also want to attend the Night Show, you can combine both: visit the palace and daytime gardens with a Full Access Ticket, then attend the Night Fountains Show separately in the evening with this ticket.
Visitor Tips
- Arrive at 7:30 pm at the latest — security checks and parking can take time. Entry is from 8:15 pm
- Enter through Entrance A at the Dufour Pavilion, top left of the Cour d’Honneur. Palace access is not required for the show
- Wear warm layers and comfortable shoes — the gardens are outdoors, evenings can be cool even in summer, and you’ll be walking on gravel for 2+ hours
- Bring a light umbrella or waterproof jacket — the show runs in all weather conditions (no refunds for weather)
- For the best fireworks view, position yourself along the Grand Canal or on the Apollo Fountain terrace by 10:30 pm
- Strollers are permitted but gravel paths make them challenging — a baby carrier is more practical
- The show is not wheelchair accessible due to the uneven gravel paths and distance involved
- This is the perfect evening to combine with a daytime Full Access Ticket visit to the palace
The Electro Night Fountains Show happens in September in the backdrop of a well-lit Palace of Versailles Gardens. The show features an electro soundtrack by artists such as Antoine Bourachot, Braxe + Falcon, Cosmonection, and Paul Prier and a tribute mix to Dj Mehdi by Feadz. The event runs from 8:30 pm to 11:45 pm and doesn’t include fireworks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Night Fountains Show included in the Full Access Ticket?
No. The Night Fountains Show requires a separate ticket (€32 adult). The Full Access Ticket includes the daytime Musical Fountains Show surcharge, but not the evening show.
Is it the same as the Harry Potter Night Show in 2026?
On 29 August 2026, the Grandes Eaux Nocturnes will have a special Harry Potter theme — the fountains, lighting, and music will all be reimagined around the 25th anniversary of the films. This themed version requires the same ticket as the standard night show, but it is a one-night-only special event. See our Harry Potter at Versailles guide for full details.
