Versailles attractions

Laid out in formal French style and famed for their geometrically aligned terraces, tree-lined paths and ponds, the gardens of the Palace of Versailles are worth a visit on their own. And of all the lovely fountain pools in the gardens, the Neptune Fountain (Bassin de Neptune) is the largest and most grand.

Combining Renaissance grandeur with wildlife adventure, this zoo and gardens is located on the grounds of a historic château outside Paris. In addition to animal enclosures with species from around the globe, this zoo features a drive-through savannah with roaming lions and other large animals, giving visitors the thrill of an African safari, right in the heart of France.

Chatou, on the banks of the Seine in the far west of Paris, is known for the Île des Impressionnistes (Island of the Impressionists), where Monet, Manet, Renoir, and others set up their easels to immortalize the sparkling waters and lazy bathers. Many visitors don’t even think of venturing out this far, but those who do will find small museums, riverside walks, and architectural charm.

Following the age-old traditions of French classical dressage, the Academy of Equestrian Arts hosts performances in the former Royal Stables of the Palace of Versailles. The horseback spectacle is a modern-day equestrian ballet, featuring a mix of haute école, fencing, kyudo (Japanese archery), and performance art.

The Grands Appartements du Roi are a succession of salons, including the most spectacular room at the UNESCO-listed Versailles, the Hall of Mirrors (“Galerie des Glaces”) where the Treaty of Versailles was signed at the end of WW1. A highlight of a palace visit, the apartments were built for Louis XIV by Louis Le Vau in the 1670s.

During the reign of King Louis XV, this courtyard in Saint-Louis—one of Versailles’ oldest neighborhoods—was known as the perfumed court. Opened in 2013, the Court of Scents (Cour des Senteurs celebrates the world’s rarest fragrances and perfume traditions through its gardens, shops, and restaurants.