The Park of Versailles covers 800 hectares beyond the formal gardens, stretching from the Grand Canal to the Trianon Estate and the lake of the Swiss Guard. It is free to visit at all times, including on days when the formal gardens charge a surcharge. The Park is open daily from 7 am (high season) to 8:30 pm, and features the Grand Canal (rowing boat hire from €16/30 min), designated picnic areas, cycling paths, and two viewpoints. Dogs are permitted in the Park on a lead.
Most visitors to Versailles spend their time in the main palace and the formal gardens directly in front of it. Far fewer venture into the Park — the vast, wilder landscape that stretches beyond the formal garden axis towards the Trianon Estate. This is where you’ll find the Grand Canal, quiet cycling and walking paths, the best picnic spots on the estate, and a scale of space that puts the formal gardens in perspective. And unlike the gardens on Musical Fountains days, the Park is always free to enter.
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Park vs Gardens: What’s the Difference?
The Gardens of Versailles are the formal, highly structured landscape immediately west and south of the main palace — parterres, fountains, groves, and the Orangery. The Park is the much larger, more naturalistic landscape beyond: forested paths, the Grand Canal, open meadows, and the routes to the Trianon Estate. Both were designed by André Le Nôtre, but the Park feels completely different in character — quieter, more expansive, and less visited.
| Gardens | Park | |
| Character | Formal, geometric, manicured | Naturalistic, forested, open |
| Entry | Free (surcharge on Musical Fountain days) | Always free |
| Bikes allowed | No | Yes |
| Dogs allowed | No | Yes (on a lead) |
| Key features | Fountains, groves, parterres, Orangery | Grand Canal, Lake of Swiss Guard, picnic areas |
| Opening hours | 8 am daily | 7 am daily (high season) |
The Grand Canal
The Grand Canal is the centrepiece of the Park — a cross-shaped canal stretching 1.7 km east to west and 1 km north to south, covering 23 hectares in total. It was constructed between 1668 and 1679 and took 11 years to complete. Louis XIV used it for grand ceremonies, naval displays, and evening entertainments; Venice gifted him two gondolas and gondoliers, which led to the area near the canal being nicknamed ‘Little Venice’ (Petite Venise).
In winter, when the canal froze, Louis XIV had skating parties on the ice — a detail that humanises the Sun King considerably. Today, the Grand Canal is the best spot on the estate for a picnic, and the rowing boats available to hire make it one of the most enjoyable activities at Versailles, particularly on sunny days.
Rowing Boat Hire
Rowing boats are available to hire from the hire point on the banks of the Grand Canal near Petite Venise. The experience — rowing a wooden boat along a kilometre-long royal canal with the palace in the distance — is worth the cost entirely.
| Duration | Cost |
| 30 minutes | €16 |
| 60 minutes | €20 |
| Additional 15 min | €5 |
| Additional 30 min | €16 |
Boat hire is closed mid-November to end of February. Weekday hours: 1 pm–5:30 pm (March), 11 am–6:45 pm (April–June), 10 am–6:45 pm (July–August), 1 pm–6:45 pm (September–October). Weekend hours start earlier (typically 10:30 am–11 am from April onwards). Last ticket 30 minutes before closing.
Lake of the Swiss Guard
South of the formal gardens, the Lake of the Swiss Guard covers over 15 hectares and was constructed between 1679 and 1686. It was built to drain the land designated for the Potager du Roi (the King’s Kitchen Garden) and to extend the southern view of the palace. Named in honour of the Swiss Guards regiment, it’s a quiet spot popular with walkers and picnickers. One of the two designated picnic areas on the estate is located here: the Swiss Ornamental Lake is perfect for a relaxed lunch away from the main visitor flow.
Picnic Areas
Versailles has two designated picnic areas where you can bring your own food and spread out:
- Swiss Ornamental Lake — south of the formal gardens; scenic, quieter, popular with families
- Saint Antoine Plain — near the Saint Anthony Gate; more open, good access from the Park
Food and drinks are not permitted inside the main palace or formal garden areas, but the Park picnic spots are genuinely welcoming. If you’re visiting on the Versailles Palace Bike Tour, the Grand Canal is the tour’s designated picnic spot.
Park Entry Gates
| Gate | Location | Distance from Honour Gate | Notes |
| Queen’s Gate | Boulevard de la Reine | 1.2 km (~16 min walk) | Closest Park gate to the main palace; cars permitted |
| Saint Anthony Gate | D186, near Marie Antoinette’s Estate | 2.3 km (~30 min walk) | Near Trianon Estate; cars permitted |
| Sailors’ Gate | Route de Saint-Cyr (D10) | 1.2 km (~15 min walk) | On foot and bike only; closed in low season |
Viewpoints in the Park
- Royal Star viewpoint near Ferme de Gally — best views of the canal’s western section
- Near the Grand Trianon — excellent views of the Grand Canal’s northern branch
- Former Ménagerie / La Lanterne — best views from the southern part of the Grand Canal
Cycling in the Park
Bikes are permitted throughout the Park (though not in the formal gardens). Hire bikes from Petite Venise near the Grand Canal or from the additional hire points at the Saint Anthony Gate and Queen’s Gate on weekends and public holidays. Regular bike hire starts from €8 for 30 minutes. See our complete vehicle rentals guide for full pricing and seasonal hours.
Dogs in the Park
Dogs are permitted in the Park of Versailles on a lead. They are not permitted in the formal gardens or inside the palace. Please clean up after your dog — this is one of the few parts of the Versailles estate where pet owners are welcome.
FAQs
Here are some of the frequently asked questions about Versailles Park.
Is the Versailles Park free to access?
Yes, you can visit the Park free of charge. However, on days with musical shows, you will need tickets to the Versailles Gardens to access the Park.
Book this Versailles Ticket with Musical Gardens access and enjoy access to all attractions (including the Palace, Gardens, and Musical Show) at a minimal cost of just €32.
What is the difference between Versailles Gardens and Park?
Versailles Park is a large area around the Grand Canal, and it is free to visit all year. The Versailles Gardens, near the Palace, are filled with flowers, fountains, and statues.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes, the Park is the only area of the Palace where you can bring your dog.
However, you must clean up any pet droppings and maintain a clean environment in the park.
Where can I have a picnic in the Park?
There are two designated picnic areas in the Park—One at Swiss Ornamental Lake and the other at Saint Antoine Plain.
