Versailles Travel Guide: Best Time to Visit & Gardens Tour from Normandy
I remember the first time I set foot onto the Versailles grounds. The air was light and drenched in a blazing heat. It smelled of fresh-cut grass and old wood. Once inside, the cool stone under my feet muffled the sounds of my footsteps, leading me past white marbled statues of different figures.
Elegant and masterfully carved, these sculptures felt full of life, movement—as if they might even be breathing.
As I passed down the long corridor that many courtiers, dignitaries, and peasants alike had traversed centuries before, a feeling of great French pride stirred within me. The mastery of just this first part of the palace, created by my ancestors, is incredible.
Turning the corner into a black and white tiled room, you’re led up grand stairs. It is here I imagined Louis XIV ascending for the first time, or Marie Antoinette, both perhaps incredibly excited, but one completely out of her depth.
I, too, was out of my depth as I entered the small room leading into the Hall of Mirrors. Nothing prepared you for that moment. Stepping on old, creaky wooden floors, well-worn from age and visitors, you pass under glittering chandeliers. Ornate gold ornaments surround each glorious mirror, reflecting the bright sunlight streaming in from outside.
Above all that, I gasped, taking in the grandeur and glory of Louis XIV—dancing with Greek Gods and praised for his accomplishments. The alfresco seems to extend further than the deepest corners of Heaven, pulling you into the clouds and holding you there like a gaping fish out of water.
Versailles, as it has burned into my soul, truly is enchanting. Marveling at Louis XIV’s vision is merely the tip of the iceberg.
Gardens, Secrets, and Simple Dreams
Stepping outside, onto the gravelly walkpaths that sprawl out in front of you, is like entering a vast, panoramic paradise. The gardens are like a secret waiting to be discovered. Each part—the Grotto, the Orangerie—feels like a private room, a small escape from the outside world. This incredible landscape doesn’t feel like an accessory to the palace, but more like an extension.
The grassy sprawls and well-groomed, trimmed trees are kept ready to accept private picnics, quiet promenades, and romantic explorations. As a non-landscaping person, I can’t help but appreciate the clean lines, sharp angles, and attention to detail on every tree, flower, bush, and shrub. My imagination works overtime, trying to absorb every detail, clinging to the alluring floral fragrances and the splashing sounds of the fountains.
Then you discover the outer parts, such as Le Petit Trianon, where Marie Antoinette spent many of her days entertaining, frolicking, and playing house in her working dairy farm. You submerge yourself in this Beauty and the Beast type hamlet, imagining the grand Queen petting the lambs and milking her favorite cows.
As breathtaking as it all is, even as it digs into your soul, stepping into the past gives you the insight no textbook or documentary ever could. Versailles in all its glory is a reminder of what we can create with our bare hands and minimal technology. It also shows you that dreams, no matter how incredible, have no limits and can be achieved.
Until Next Time…
If you’re ever ready, take a stroll through the wonderful Gardens with freshly squeezed orange juice, and allow yourself to be transported back to the 17th century just for a day. My favorite time of year to see Versailles is in October. The fall ambiance, even outside, is just as magical as you can imagine—especially when you visit during a day when classical music is piped through the gardens, perfectly timed with the fountains.
Until next time,
Christina
