The Gardens of Versailles cover 800 hectares and are the largest and most visited formal gardens in the world. Designed by André Le Nôtre from 1661, they feature 50 fountains, over 600 water jets, 400 sculptures, 13 ornamental groves, and the 1-km Grand Canal. The gardens are free to enter on most days. A €10 surcharge applies on Musical Fountains Show days (most Tuesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from late March to late October). Gardens open daily at 8 am.
The Gardens of Versailles are one of the greatest achievements of landscape design in history. André Le Nôtre was given almost unlimited resources and a flat, swampy terrain — and created something that astonished all of Europe. Today, walking through the gardens is to experience the same view that Louis XIV designed for himself: a perfect geometry of nature, water, and sculpture stretching towards the horizon. Here’s everything you need to know before your visit.
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Gardens at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| Size | 800 hectares (approx. 2,000 acres) |
| Designed by | André Le Nôtre, from 1661 |
| Opening time | 8 am daily (year-round) |
| Closing time (Apr–Oct) | 8:30 pm |
| Closing time (Nov–Mar) | 6 pm |
| Standard entry | Free (most days) |
| Musical Fountains days | €10 surcharge (included in Full Access Ticket) |
| Fountains | 50 fountains, 620 water jets |
| Sculptures | Over 400 (largest open-air sculpture museum in the world) |
| Groves | 13 ornamental groves |
Are the Versailles Gardens Free?
Yes — the Gardens of Versailles are free to enter on most days. However, on Musical Fountains Show days (most Tuesdays, and every Saturday and Sunday from late March to late October), a €10 garden surcharge applies. This covers the running of the fountains and the water displays.
The €10 surcharge is automatically included in the Full Access Ticket (€32), so if you’ve bought that ticket you don’t pay anything extra. If you’re visiting on a non-show day and only want to see the gardens (not the palace), you can simply walk in for free.
The gardens also remain free on Mondays year-round — even though the palace itself is closed on Mondays. This makes Monday mornings a surprisingly good option if you want the gardens without the crowds.
How to Get Into the Gardens
There are several entry points to the gardens:
- From the palace: Through the Princes’ Courtyard gate on the left side of the Cour d’Honneur. This is the most direct route from the palace, and places you immediately above the South Parterre with a view across the main axis.
- From Boulevard de la Reine (north): Through the Queen’s Gate, then the Neptune Gate near the Neptune Fountain. Useful if approaching from the town of Versailles.
- From the Grand Canal side (west): Through the Petite Venise Gate or the Ménagerie Gate. Best if you’re already in the Park or arriving from the Trianon Estate direction.
The Main Garden Zones
The Parterres
Directly in front of and around the palace, the parterres are the most formal part of the gardens — intricate geometric patterns of clipped hedges, coloured gravel, and seasonal flowers. There are four main parterres:
- Water Parterre — two large rectangular reflecting pools immediately west of the palace, flanked by bronze statues. This is the classic view of Versailles, looking back at the palace façade.
- South Parterre — to the right as you exit the palace; features two bronze sphinx statues and a view down to the Orangery.
- North Parterre — to the left; two sections with circular pools at their centres, leading towards the Neptune Fountain at the far north.
- Latona Parterre — further along the main axis; restored to its original 1660s design in 2015. Features the Latona Fountain at its centre, with a view of the Grand Perspective stretching to the Grand Canal.
The Fountains
Versailles has 50 fountains and 620 water jets — the most complex hydraulic system in the 17th-century world. On Musical Fountains Show days, the fountains run to baroque music from 10 am to 7 pm, creating a spectacular animated display across the entire garden. The major fountains are:
- Apollo Fountain — the gilded centrepiece of the main garden axis; depicts Apollo rising from the water in his solar chariot, ready to cross the sky. Created in 1668–70.
- Latona Fountain — a tiered marble fountain depicting the myth of Latona and the Lycian peasants transformed into frogs by Jupiter. One of the most photographed fountains in the gardens.
- Neptune Fountain — the largest fountain in the gardens, at the far northern end; constructed 1679–1681 with 99 water jets and a dramatic central group of Neptune and Amphitrite.
- Four Seasons Fountains — four bronze fountains representing Spring (Flora), Summer (Ceres), Autumn (Bacchus), and Winter (Saturn), arranged around the main axis.
- Dragon Fountain — a fierce bronze dragon as the centrepiece, with 99 surrounding dolphins and cherubs; located between the North Parterre and Neptune Fountain.
For a full guide to all the fountains and the show schedule, see our Versailles fountains guide.
The Groves (Bosquets)
Hidden within the tree-lined alleys of the gardens are 13 ornamental groves — outdoor rooms enclosed by tall hedges, each with its own fountain, sculptures, and character. They are among the most beautiful and least-visited parts of the gardens. Highlights include:
- Colonnade Grove — a circular arcade of 32 pink and violet marble columns with 32 arched basins; a masterpiece of classical architecture used for royal concerts
- Ballroom Grove (Salle de Bal) — an open-air tiered amphitheatre with cascading water over rockwork steps; originally used for evening dances
- Apollo’s Baths Grove — three rock grottos sheltering the monumental sculpture group of Apollo tended by Nymphs after his daily journey across the sky; one of the most atmospheric spots in the gardens
- Enceladus Grove — a dramatic fountain depicting the Titan Enceladus crushed under boulders, water spouting from his mouth in a 25-metre jet
The Orangery
To the south of the palace, the Orangery is one of the most impressive functional buildings at Versailles. Designed by Jules Hardouin-Mansart, it is 150 metres long with a 13-metre vaulted ceiling, and houses around 1,500 trees — including orange, lemon, palm, oleander, and pomegranate — many of which are over 200 years old. The trees are moved outside to the South Parterre in summer, creating a garden within a garden. In winter, they return inside, and the Orangery itself is heated to keep them alive through the French cold.
Musical Fountains Show vs Free Garden Days
| Free Garden Day | Musical Fountains Show Day | |
| When | Most weekdays (non-show days) | Most Tues (May–Oct), Sat & Sun (late Mar–late Oct) |
| Garden entry | Free | €10 surcharge (included in Full Access Ticket) |
| Fountains | Static (no water) | Running to baroque music, 10 am–7 pm |
| Crowds | Lower | Significantly higher |
| Best for | Quiet exploration, photography | Full spectacle, atmosphere |
For the full Musical Fountains Show schedule, including dates and times, see our Musical Fountains Show guide. For the Night Fountains Show (Saturday evenings, June–September), see our Night Fountains Show ticket guide.
Getting Around the Gardens
The formal gardens are best explored on foot — allow at least 1.5 to 2 hours for the main axis and the key groves. For the full gardens and park, including the Grand Canal, plan 3–4 hours. To cover more ground comfortably, consider:
- Renting a bike — available from Petite Venise near the Grand Canal; not permitted in the formal gardens but ideal for the Park
- Golf cart hire — available from the South Terrace; covers gardens and park
- The Little Train — runs from the Château to the Grand Trianon and back; great for reaching the Trianon Estate
Photography in the Gardens
The gardens offer some of the best photography opportunities at Versailles: the Water Parterre for palace reflections, the Grand Canal for golden-hour light, the Apollo Fountain for the classic axis view, and the Colonnade Grove for intimate architectural shots. For full photography tips across the estate, see our Versailles photography guide.
Frequently Added Questions
Here are some of the frequently asked questions about Versailles Gardens.
Which ticket should I book to visit Versailles Gardens?
The Versailles Palace and Gardens Full Access ticket provides you with one-day access to all the attractions, which includes the Gardens. It costs €32.
If you prefer guided tours, book this Skip-The-Line Guided Tour, which includes guided tours of Gardens. The cost of this tour starts from €63.
How to enter Versailles Gardens?
You can enter the Gardens of Versailles through several entrances.
From the Palace, you can enter via the Cour des Princes on the left side.
From Boulevard de la Reine, you can access the gardens through the Queen’s Fence, followed by the Neptune Fence to the north.
From the Grand Canal, you can enter through the Petite Venise Fence to the east and the Ménagerie Fence to the west.
What is special about the Gardens of Versailles?
The Gardens of Versailles boast over 400 statues, earning them the title of the world’s largest open-air sculpture museum.
Are the gardens at Versailles free?
The Gardens are free to Visitors, except on Musical Fountains Show and Musical Gardens Show days.
How long does it take to walk the gardens of Versailles?
You will need at least 60 minutes to visit the Gardens, including fountains, parterre, and groves.
If you are not time-bound, two hours is fair enough to spend time in the Gardens.
