Cycling route - Discovering Versailles

The Grand Trianon was built in 1687 by Jules Hardouin-Mansart. Thus, the King Louis XIV could escape from all the ceremony of the Court and relax in the company of his concubines.The Grand Trianon is based on the Italian architecture and invites you to poetry and wandering. One little story: the Grand Trianon used to be surrounded by thousands of flowers in pots that were changed every day. Even now, this tradition is carried on every season. The display was amazing: we could admire flowerbeds of all colours and we could smell lots of scents. Thereafter, the Grand Trianon was frequented by Napoleon Bonaparte and the French Presidents.

The Petit Trianon was built between 1763 and 1768 by the architect Gabriel, requested by Madame de Pompadour, mistress then friend of king Louis XV.Mme de Pompadour was the former mistress of the king but still his friend. She was the instigator of this little palace, built by Gabriel from 1763 to 1768 near the botanical gardens and the new menagerie to entertain him with one of his passions : sciences. To please the Marchioness, always aware of the last trend, the architect changed his rocky aesthetics to adopt pure lines and cubic shape. It was the latest architectural style, called “the Greek style”. It is not as simple as it looks like : each frontage is different, built to reply to its surrounding : the Courtyard, the French Garden and its lovely pavilion, the Botanical Garden and the Flower Garden. Even inside we find a modern style. The decoration of the Small Trianon is more simple than the rest of the estate. It is not about materials, you will notice the absence of gold for example, but more about the fineness and elegance of the sculptures dedicate, like the palace, to nature. Sadly, Mme de Pompadour died before the completion of the Palace in 1764. Nowadays it keeps the souvenir of an other inhabitant : Louis XVI made a gift of the Trianon Estate to his queen Marie-Antoinette in 1774. She lived there a distant life from the court, maybe too distant for some of the courtier.

These unusual 18th century houses, charming and incongruous, are a perfect place to enjoy a gentle stroll !At the crossroad of rue Royale and rue d'Anjou, Carrés Saint Louis is one of the most picturesque area of Versailles. The little houses, built under the reign of Louis XIV, were supposed to host another market, with the Notre Dame market. They were changed as housing twenty years later, but some other rue du Marché Neuf, rue de l'Occident, rue Sainte Famille, rue de l'Orient were too old and so they were destroyed. Nowadays, there are part of the heritage of Versailles and have been listed as historic monuments.

Discover a beautiful baroque church with original works of art, preserved between paintings, sculptures and historical organ !It was after the return of the Court to Versailles in 1722, the regency having ended with the minority of the young Louis XV, that the Saint-Louis quarter was built, to establish a symmetry with the Notre-Dame quarter. A provisional church was built next to the site planned for the final church. The latter was built between 1743 and 1754 to the plans of Jacques Hardouin-Mansart de Sagonne, grandson of the famous architect of Louis XIV. In a very baroque style, dominated by curves (bulbs on the roof, curves on the organ loft, etc.), this sumptuous church was soon considered out of fashion, as neoclassicism became the norm in architecture. The catechism chapel, built on its side by Louis-François Trouard in 1764, shows the evolution of taste at the time... At the same time, a considerable number of paintings were commissioned from the king's painters to decorate the new church: most of them can still be seen there, by the famous François Boucher, Jean Restout, Jean-Baptiste Pierre, François Lemoyne... The historic organ also dates from the beginning, by the famous Louis-Alexandre Clicquot, whose instrument is still partly preserved today. In 1789, the opening mass of the Estates-General was celebrated in the Saint-Louis church, in the presence of King Louis XVI, Queen Marie-Antoinette and the deputies. Shortly afterwards, the Constituent Assembly having decided to redraw the ecclesiastical map of the kingdom, Versailles became the centre of a diocese and the church of Notre-Dame was initially chosen as the cathedral. This function was transferred to Saint-Louis under the Concordat of 1801, which re-established worship after the period of the Terror when churches had been stripped and closed. After the French Revolution, the restoration of the monument led to the installation of coloured glass windows in place of the white ones: the most remarkable ones are in the chapel of the Virgin. Based on models given by the painter Achille Devéria, the stained glass windows of the Annunciation and the Assumption were made in 1848 by the famous Sèvres factory, which was then diversifying its production. Solemnly consecrated in 1843, the Saint-Louis de Versailles cathedral has been classified as a historic monument since 1906.

Exceptional area for walking : this 13 hectare pool was excavated between 1679 and 1682 by the regiment of Swiss Guards from which it takes its name.Les Suisses lake is open to pedestrians and cyclists from 7am to 7pm. (Last access at 6.15pm). It is located at the bottom of the rue de l'Indépendance américaine, on the edge of the Saint-Louis district. Designed to embellish the southern perspective of the château, as an extension of the Orangerie, it also allowed the land destined for the King's Kitchen Garden, created at the same time, to be cleaned up. At the end of the pond is a copy of Bernini's sculpture of Louis XIV on horseback. The sculpture, which did not please the king, was eventually transformed into an antique hero and placed out of sight of the monarch... Bordered by vast lawns and wide avenues planted with superb plane trees, the site is now an ideal place to relax and enjoy a picnic.

Get on your bike and follow the cycle paths with the wind in your hair : they will lead you on a tour of the city's main monuments !The park have about 800 hectares, made up of straight alleys, wooded spaces and cultivated fields. Borded by a wall with huge gates, the park keeps the entire estate in a green bower. It is open every day of the year, excepting during adverse weather conditions (snow, high winds, etc.). Free entrance for pedestrians and riders It is possible to access the park crossing the french gardens, ou directly by one of the following gates: - Queen's gate - Saint Anthony gate - Sailor's gate (Fees with a vehicle at the Queen's gate and Saint Anthony's gate).

Built between 1678 and 1683 at the request of Louis XIV, the Potager du Roi is a unique example of a French Baroque kitchen garden whose original aims have been preserved: to produce, experiment and pass on knowledge.Covering 9 hectares in the heart of Versailles, the Potager du Roi is a masterpiece of the art of the regular French-style productive garden. Built between 1678 and 1683 by Jean-Baptiste de La Quintinie at the request of Louis XIV, it is a listed historic monument and a remarkable garden. It is an integral part of the Versailles estate, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since the 17th century, its gardeners have been perpetuating the art of pruning and growing a wide variety of fruit and vegetables. Open to visitors only since 1991, the Potager du Roi is now the historic site of the École nationale supérieure de paysage, which is responsible for its conservation, management and development. In today's context of transition, this link has enabled it to assert a strong identity as a pioneering site since its creation: the Potager du Roi continues to produce in an urban environment with a focus on short circuits, an experimental approach to new cultivation techniques, such as agroecology, and a real involvement in training, research and creation. Programming The Potager du Roi is a place where people of all ages can meet, share and learn about a wide range of cultural themes, including gardening, cooking, dance, theatre, music, art and much more. In partnership with the town of Versailles, Esprit Jardin, for example, brings together garden enthusiasts. Le Mois Molière is a chance to (re)discover a classical repertoire staged in an exceptional setting, while Les Saveurs du Potager showcases the diversity of fruit and vegetable production. Visits, workshops and training in the garden Every weekend from April to October, at 11am, 2.30pm and 4pm, guided tours are offered to discover the riches of the site with professional guide-lecturers, gardeners or passionate landscape students. A wide range of workshops and short courses on gardening, such as the Natural Kitchen Garden, Embellishing and Cultivating a Garden and Medicinal Plants, are open to the general public (Guided tour provided in French only). Loyalty programme Unlimited access to the Potager du Roi is available thanks to an annual membership card, the Clé du Potager, which also offers a range of discounts at the site's bookshop. Volunteering at the Potager du Roi Volunteers are welcome to take part in a range of activities at the Potager du Roi. A programme has been put in place to enable volunteers to help with site maintenance, gardening and events. The bookshop The site's boutique-bookshop sells fruit and vegetables from the Potager du Roi, as well as processed products - juices, jams, honey, coulis, etc. - and by-products such as cosmetics made from plants grown in the Potager. Fresh produce is available according to the season and the weekly markets. The specialist bookshop has over 800 books and magazines on gardening, ecology, cooking, agriculture and landscaping.

This emblematic place was the theatre of the oath during which 578 deputies of the States General swore not to be separated until they had given a constitution to France. The French Revolution was begnning...Built in 1686 to meet the needs of the court of Versailles palace, the Royal Tennis court (royal tennis is the ancestor of tennis) was the scene of the Oath of June 20, 1789, which is when 578 deputies of the Estates General (which consisted of 1118) self-proclaimed themselves the National Assembly and swore not to break up before they had given France a constitution. The French Revolution was launched… During the Revolution, the idea was raised to replace the Royal Tennis court with a commemorative monument, but nothing was done before 1880, when the hall was turned into a museum in preparation for the centenary of that decisive event. Make sure you wear something warm, as the room is not heated!

This market, a true crossroad of colours and flavours, is the loveliest in the Ile-de-France region !Built under Louis XIII, the second largest market in France is full of fresh and regional produce. Still on the same site since the 17th century, the King asked that "halls, benches, stalls and other things necessary to house the merchants and to cover the goods" be erected "in the most convenient of places". The market place is animated every day and is one of the most important commercial centers of Versailles. Halles Notre-Dame (covered market) : - Tuesday to Saturday, 7am to 1.30pm and 3pm to 7.30pm - Sunday from 7am to 2pm - Closed on Mondays Carrés Notre-Dame (outdoor market) - Tuesday, Friday and Sunday, 7.30am to 2pm Non-food market - Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, 11am to 7.30pm

Don't miss the Sun King's parish church, the sober beauty of its architecture and the remarkable works of art in it!The town of Versailles once had a parish church of Saint-Julien, located in the Vieux-Versailles district. When the Notre-Dame district was created, it was decided to transfer it to the north of the Château de Versailles, and a modest church was built, still under the patronage of Saint-Julien. But the installation of the court in Versailles in 1682 changed the status of this parish, which became that of the king: in fact, all the inhabitants of the city then depended on a single parish, and the Royal Chapel was in its dependency. The church of Saint-Julien was far too modest, and the construction of a new church was launched in 1684 on the plans of Jules Hardouin-Mansart, the famous architect of the Sun King. In a very sober classical style, the church was completed in record time (as early as 1686), and from then on served the inhabitants, but also the Court. The king's links with the church of Notre-Dame are evidenced by the parish registers, in which the baptismal, marriage and death certificates of members of the royal family were recorded. Thus, we find the death certificate of King Louis XIV and the marriage certificate of the future Louis XVI with Marie-Antoinette, all scattered among certificates relating to the humblest of parishioners... During the French Revolution, the church temporarily became the cathedral of the new diocese of Seine et Oise, then the temple of Reason, and was stripped of all its ornaments. Returned to worship in 1800, it was refurnished and thus regained its stalls and its splendid altar painting commissioned by King Louis XIV from Michel II Corneille and dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin, the patronal feast of the kingdom. It also retains its original pulpit and its organ case, as well as a beautiful collection of sculptures made by members of the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture during the reign of Louis XIV, and paintings by the king's painters Jean Restout, Carle Van Loo, Louis de Boullogne, Joseph Suvée, Nicolas Brenet, etc. In the 19th century, the Notre-Dame church was given an axial chapel dedicated to the Sacred Heart, in fulfillment of a vow made during the cholera epidemic that ravaged Europe in 1832, but spared Versailles. With a circular plan, it extends the building towards the north. The entire church, which was initially simply listed as a historic monument, was listed in its entirety in 2005.

Created in 2003 by Bartabas at the Grande Écurie of the Château de Versailles, the Académie Équestre de Versailles is a unique corps de ballet, based as much on transmission as on the art of performance.Within the walls that once housed King Louis XIV's steeds, the Académie équestre de Versailles brings together some thirty horses and the equestrian and artistic activities that have made it a recognised institution. In the Manège de la Grande Écurie at the Château de Versailles, the Académie presents "La Voie de l'écuyère", choreographed by Bartabas and a reflection of this school company. Lasting one hour, this show is not simply a dressage rehearsal set to music, but a poetic representation of the rider-horse couple's apprenticeship. Dates and times: From 21 February 2024, every Saturday (6pm) and Sunday (3pm), as well as Wednesdays during school holidays outside the summer (3pm). Details : Show lasts 1 hour. Suitable for children aged 6 and over. Free tour of the stables after the show for ticket holders.

Place Hoche is a historic site in Versailles and was originally named Place Dauphine.In the centre of the square stands the statue of General Lazare Hoche, sculpted by Henri Lemaire. The square is also popular for its large chestnut trees, which provide pleasant shade for local residents.

Situated around the Grand Canal, the Park covers several hectares and is free to enter.Laid out between 1668 and 1679, the Grand Canal is André Le Nôtre's most original creation. Measuring 23 hectares, 60 metres wide, 1,700 metres east-west and 1,000 metres north-south, it provides a single view of the beauty and grandeur of the estate. Its dimensions were carefully designed by Louis XIV's architect to create a perfect perspective.

The Grandes Ecuries at Versailles, built in 1683 by Jules Hardouin-Mansart, housed the King's horses and carriages. They are an architectural masterpiece and a testament to the splendour of Louis XIV's court.

La Petite Écurie, située à Versailles sur la place d'Armes, en face du château, entre les avenues de Paris et de Sceaux, a été construite par l'architecte Jules Hardouin-Mansart et achevée en 1682..Aujourd'hui, elle abrite l'École nationale supérieure d’architecture de Versailles et des ateliers du centre de recherche et de restauration des musées de France. Elle héberge également une importante collection de sculptures du château de Versailles et du musée du Louvre. Construite pour accueillir les chevaux et voitures de la Cour, la Petite Écurie dispose de grandes galeries qui servaient autrefois d'écuries.