Grand Canal Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the Grand Canal. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Versailles Palace Bike Tour With Market & Marie-Antoinette Hamlet

• Versailles Full-Day Bike Tour With Palace, Gardens, & Picnic

• Versailles Bike Tour With Market, Gardens & Guided Palace Tour

• Versailles Château and Gardens Walking Tour

• Versailles Domain Bike Tour With Palace Entry by Train From Paris

Located in the public Park of Versailles, the Grand Canal is free to visit. Walk around the canal free of charge, rent a bike on-site (from €8), or paddle around the waterway with a rowboat rental from €16. Guided bike tours of the park start at US$50, not including palace admission.

Yes, the Grand Canal is worth visiting—iit's the centerpiece of the free Park of Versailles. Rowboating on the canal lets you enjoy grand views of the palace while escaping the crowds, and the tree-lined trail around the water is a scenic place for a stroll or bike ride. To enjoy the canal without missing out on the rest of the Park of Versailles, which covers a massive 1,975 acres (800 hectares), book a tour by bike or Segway. Your guide will fill you in on the site's royal history, and some options also include a visit inside the Palace of Versailles and other ticketed parts of the estate.

Per one customer who booked the Versailles Palace Bike Tour With Market & Marie-Antoinette Hamlet, "Our guide Nina was simply amazing! She was so knowledgeable and was a great storyteller. She gave us such a thorough tour we felt as though we lived during the reign of the monarchy in France. Going by bike also allowed us to see the extensive grounds which was my favorite part of the tour. The market time was excellent with so many phenomenal food choices. We had a picnic along the canals before finishing the tour of the Hamlet, Petit Trianon and Grand Trianon. I would HIGHLY recommend this tour."

The Grand Canal is 5,479 feet (1,670 meters) long. This landmark feature of the Palace of Versailles’ park took 11 years to complete between 1668 and 1679. Over the years, it has hosted lavish parties, including those by Louis XIV in the 17th century.

The peak time to visit Versailles is during the summer, so if you want a tranquil experience at the Grand Canal, it’s best to avoid July through August. Instead, come in spring or fall, such as May or September, for good crowds and fewer crowds.

No, there isn’t free parking near the Grand Canal in Versailles. The Grand Canal (Bailly Walk) is the closest parking, but charges apply. If you want to park here, you should pay at the Queen’s Gate. Free parking may be available in Versailles town, but it’s usually not nearby.

Yes, there are restrooms near the Grand Canal at Versailles; the closest facilities are close to the entrance of La Petite Venise restaurant. Here, you can find accessible toilets too. There are also other restroom facilities throughout the palace and gardens, including more restrooms opposite the entrance to Buvette du Dauphin.

The Grand Canal at Versailles is freely accessible without reservations. The park opens daily, with extended evening hours from April to October and shorter hours from November to March. While enjoying the canal and gardens requires no fee, entering the Palace of Versailles itself does necessitate paid admission.

There are tons of things to do when you're done visiting the Grand Canal. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Versailles:

• Versailles Gardens (Jardins de Versailles)

• Palace of Versailles

• Versailles Fountains (Les Fontaines)

• Hall of Mirrors (Galerie des Glaces)

• Marie-Antoinette's Estate

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Versailles.