Versailles and the Chevreuse Valley
From the splendour of Versailles to the gentle Chevreuse Valley — royal heritage and nature on Paris' doorstep.
Two days moving from royal splendour to open countryside without leaving the Ile-de-France. The trip opens at the Palace of Versailles, the Hall of Mirrors, the gardens laid out by Le Notre and Marie-Antoinette's estate with its hamlet, then reaches the Chevreuse valley and the chateau de Dampierre, a work by Mansart. The abbey of Port-Royal des Champs, a stronghold of Jansenism razed on Louis XIV's orders in 1710, retains only ruins and a museum in a wooded valley; Chevreuse and the chateau de la Madeleine, then Rambouillet, a presidential residence with its national sheepfold, close the stay. Visit Versailles right at opening or late afternoon, never at weekends. The gardens are free except on musical fountain days.
Practical info
- Stops
- 5
- Duration
- 2 days
- Transport
- 🚗 Car
- Distance
- ≈ 40 km
- Best time
- Spring and autumn
Itinerary
- 1
Château de Versailles
Galerie des Glaces, jardins de Le Nôtre et domaine de Marie-Antoinette.
- 2
Château de Dampierre
Château Mansart au coeur de la vallée, parc à la française.
- 3
Abbaye de Port-Royal des Champs
Haut lieu du jansénisme, ruines et musée dans un vallon boisé.
- 4
Chevreuse
Village pittoresque, château de la Madeleine et promenades en vallée.
- 5
Rambouillet
Château présidentiel, forêt domaniale et bergerie nationale.
