King's Kitchen Garden

Built between 1678 and 1683 at the request of Louis XIV by Jean-Baptiste de La Quintinie, the Potager du Roi is a remarkable 9-hectare garden listed as a historic monument.
Created in 1683 at the request of Louis XIV by Jean-Baptiste de La Quintinie, the Potager du Roi is a remarkable 9-hectare garden listed as a historic monument.

This productive garden was originally designed to supply the King’s table with fruits and vegetables of exceptional quality and rarity, while also showcasing French agricultural expertise. Today, the Potager du Roi features a collection of over 750 fruit and vegetable varieties, both heirloom and contemporary, laid out according to the characteristic geometry of classical French gardens.

Open to the sky, this haven of greenery perpetuates the art of garden design and the unique expertise of espalier fruit tree pruning. Garden lovers and enthusiasts of the French art of living will appreciate this living heritage, whose flavors, scents, and landscapes evolve with the seasons.

Having become an imperial garden and later a horticultural school in the 19th century, the Potager du Roi now hosts the prestigious National School of Landscape Architecture (École nationale supérieure de paysage), where the art and techniques of garden and landscape design are taught.

Cultural Program

A true place for gathering, sharing, and culture, the Potager du Roi invites visitors of all ages to come together around a wide range of cultural themes such as gardening, cuisine, dance, theater, music, art, and more. In partnership with the City of Versailles, events such as Esprit Jardin bring together gardening enthusiasts. Le Mois Molière offers the opportunity to (re)discover classical theater staged in an exceptional setting, while Les Saveurs du Potager highlights the diversity of fruit and vegetable production.

Visits, Workshops, and Training

Every weekend from April to October, guided tours are offered to explore the site’s rich heritage with professional guides, gardeners, or passionate landscape students. A wide range of workshops and short training courses in the garden—such as Natural Kitchen Gardening, Designing and Cultivating a Garden, and Medicinal Plants—are open to the general public (guided visits are available in French only).

Membership Program

The Potager du Roi can be enjoyed year-round with an annual membership card, La Clé du Potager, which also offers a range of discounts at the on-site bookshop and boutique.

Volunteering at the Potager du Roi

Volunteers are welcome at the Potager du Roi and can take part in a variety of activities. A dedicated program allows participants to contribute to site maintenance, gardening work, and visitor reception and event activities.

The Bookshop and Boutique

The on-site bookshop and boutique sell fruits and vegetables grown at the Potager du Roi, as well as processed products—such as juices, jams, honey, and coulis—and derivative products like plant-based cosmetics made from garden ingredients. Fresh produce is available according to the seasons and weekly markets. The specialized bookshop offers over 800 titles and magazines covering gardening, ecology, cuisine, agriculture, and landscape design.