Cycling route - The plain of Versailles

Set around the majestic Grand Canal, the park of the Palace of Versailles stretches over several hectares and is open free of charge all year round.Designed between 1668 and 1679, the Grand Canal is one of the most remarkable creations of André Le Nôtre, King Louis XIV’s landscape gardener. Covering 23 hectares, 60 meters in width, 1,700 meters east to west, and 1,000 meters north to south, the Grand Canal offers an exceptional perspective, carefully designed to highlight the beauty and grandeur of the royal estate. Whether on foot, by bike, or on rollerblades, the Palace park invites you to enjoy a refreshing walk in an extraordinary setting. The full loop around the Grand Canal stretches 5.5 km and can be covered in: - 1h00 to 1h15 on foot, - 25 to 30 minutes by bike, - 35 to 40 minutes on rollerblades. The paved, relatively flat path is wheelchair accessible, allowing everyone to fully enjoy this remarkable natural landscape. A masterpiece of landscape design and nature The Grand Canal forms the main east-west axis of the Versailles gardens. Once a wetland, this part of the park was transformed by Le Nôtre into a vast water reservoir that now serves as an essential decorative element, reflecting changing light through the seasons. Whether you visit the gardens in summer, autumn, or winter, the natural spectacle is breathtaking. Practical information Access to the park is free and can be made through several entrances, notably Boulevard de la Reine or directly from the Palace entrance. Please note, however, that entry to the gardens (the area near the Palace with the groves) is ticketed during the *Grandes Eaux Musicales* in high season. On site, you’ll find several restaurants and tea rooms for refreshments. You can also rent rowboats, bikes, or segways to explore the park in a different way. A unique experience on the water: rowboat rental The Grand Canal, this majestic cross-shaped basin, invites relaxation and contemplation. Renting a rowboat gives you access to an exceptional vantage point over the estate: the groves, fountains, royal perspectives, and the Palace reveal themselves in a peaceful, bucolic setting. This activity is perfect for couples seeking romance, families out for a stroll, or friends in search of something original. Rental hours : daily from 10 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. (last departure at 6:15 p.m.), closed annually in December, January, and February. Rates: available by the half-hour or by the hour, depending on your preference. Let yourself be lulled by the calm of the water, watch swans glide by, and take in the changing light of the park. A timeless experience, not to be missed during your visit to the Versailles estate.

Did you love the French-style gardens of the Palace of Versailles? Come take a stroll through the wide, peaceful paths of the palace park!The Park covers an area of around 800 hectares, where straight avenues, wooded areas, and cultivated fields follow one another. Enclosed by a wall punctuated with gates and entrances, it keeps the Palace nestled in a verdant setting. The Park is open every day of the year, except in cases of exceptional weather (snow, strong winds, etc.). Entry is free for pedestrians and cyclists. It is also the perfect opportunity to cycle around the Grand Canal, along its shaded banks, for a pleasant and relaxing ride. You can also take advantage of these vast open spaces to enjoy a picnic — alone, with family, or with friends — in a unique and peaceful environment. Access to the Park is possible through the gardens or directly via one of the gates: * Queen’s Gate (*Grille de la Reine*) * Saint-Antoine Gate (*Porte Saint-Antoine*) * Sailors’ Gate (*Grille des Matelots*) (*Vehicle access is subject to a fee at the Queen’s Gate and Saint-Antoine Gate.*)

The Gally farm, located between Saint-Cyr-l'École, Bailly and Versailles, is a historic site that was once a priory and became part of the royal estate under Louis XIV. Listed as a historic monument in 1906, it illustrates the agricultural development of the region.

The Plaine of Versailles, located in the Yvelines department, is a vast expanse of farmland and woodland. It is characterised by its open landscapes, cereal crops and woods. The plain offers panoramic views of the Château de Versailles and its gardens.