Versailles Fountain Show 2026: Musical Fountains, Musical Gardens, Tickets and Schedule

The Versailles fountain show is one of the best reasons to visit the Gardens between spring and autumn. On selected days the fountains and groves laid out under Louis XIV run to baroque music and a published water timetable, and the Gardens look the way they were designed to look.

The names are easy to mix up. Versailles runs several garden programs: the Musical Fountains Show, the Musical Gardens, the Night Fountains Show, a few special evening fountain events and a separate set of water displays around Trianon. They are different days with different tickets. Pick the Musical Fountains Show if you want to see the big fountains working. Pick the Musical Gardens if you mainly want the formal Gardens and the normally closed groves with music playing.

Below are the 2026 dates, ticket prices, fountain times, the fountains to prioritize, the difference between the two daytime programs, the Night Fountains Show and a walking route that keeps you in front of the water when it runs.

The simplest ticket for a fountain day is the full-access Passport, which covers the Palace, Trianon and the daytime Musical Fountains or Musical Gardens program. On GetYourGuide it is sold as the Paris: Versailles Palace and Gardens Full Access Ticket, from $29 and rated 4.6/5 from more than 48,000 reviews. Fountain schedules can change for technical work, drought restrictions, special events and early garden closures, so check the official Versailles calendar again a few days before you go.

Versailles Fountain Show 2026: Quick Guide

Musical Fountains Show

In 2026 the daytime Musical Fountains Show runs:

• every Saturday and Sunday from 4 April to 1 November 2026
• selected Tuesdays from 5 May to 30 June 2026

Baroque music plays across the Gardens and groves, and the fountains run in scheduled displays through the day.

Musical Gardens

The Musical Gardens run on weekdays in high season, generally:

• Tuesday to Friday from 1 April to 30 October 2026

Some Tuesdays in May and June are Musical Fountains days instead, so check the calendar for your exact date.

Night Fountains Show

The regular Night Fountains Show runs on Saturday evenings from 6 June to 19 September 2026, with a few extra special evenings in summer.

Musical Fountains vs Musical Gardens: What Is the Difference?

This is the difference that matters most when you pick a day.

The names are close, but on a Musical Gardens day you hear the music and walk the groves without the full water program.

Other experiences you might enjoy

Pair a fountain day with the Hall of Mirrors, a bike ride by the Grand Canal, the Queen’s Hamlet or a guided day out from Paris:

What Is the Musical Fountains Show?

The Musical Fountains Show, Grandes Eaux Musicales in French, sets the historic fountains of Versailles to music associated with the French royal court. You walk through the Gardens at your own pace; there is no seat and no single performance. Different fountains and groves run at different times, among them:

• Latona’s Fountain
• Apollo’s Fountain
• Neptune Fountain
• Mirror Pool
• Ballroom Grove
• Colonnade Grove
• Enceladus Grove
• Three Fountains Grove
• seasonal basins and hidden garden rooms

Think of it as a self-guided garden circuit with timed performances along the way. Our Versailles gardens guide describes each of these spaces in more detail.

Is the Versailles Fountain Show One Continuous Performance?

No, and this is the most common misunderstanding. At no point does every fountain in Versailles start at once. Instead:

• some fountains run in set morning periods
• some run in afternoon sequences
• certain basins repeat throughout the day
• some groves have their own timed displays
• the Neptune Fountain has frequent short sequences and a special afternoon finale

The official timetable staggers the fountains across the Gardens, so you keep moving between areas.

2026 Musical Fountains Show Dates

Saturdays and Sundays

4 April – 1 November 2026

Tuesdays

Extra Musical Fountains dates fall on Tuesdays from 5 May – 30 June 2026.

If the fountains are a main reason for your trip, weekends are the easiest dates to plan around, because the program runs on every Saturday and Sunday of the season.

What Is the Musical Gardens Program?

On Musical Gardens days, many of the famous groves open and music plays across the Gardens, but the main historic fountain network does not run the programmed water sequences of a Musical Fountains day.

Some single water features keep going. Under the published 2026 program, the Mirror Pool and Neptune Fountain can still have repeated short displays. You will see some water on a Musical Gardens day, just not the full program.

2026 Musical Gardens Dates

The official 2026 season runs broadly Tuesday to Friday from 1 April to 30 October 2026. Some Tuesdays in May and June are scheduled as Musical Fountains dates instead. Because general calendar descriptions overlap, treat the official day-by-day calendar as the final word for your date.

What Time Does the Musical Fountains Show Start?

The Gardens open earlier in the morning, and the fountain program starts later. For the standard 2026 daytime program:

Groves

Open from about 09:00 to 19:00.

Music

Plays through the Gardens from about 10:00 to 19:00.

Main Morning Fountain Program

Starts at around 10:30.

Aim to be in the central Gardens between 10:00 and 10:30, before the first big displays begin. Our Versailles opening hours guide has the Palace, Trianon and garden hours by season.

Morning Fountain Schedule

The main morning program includes the Great Perspective, the central sequence around:

• Water Parterre
• Latona’s Fountain
• Apollo’s Fountain

In 2026 the Great Perspective runs from about 10:30 to 12:00. Several other fountains and groves run for part of that period, and a number of groves and basins operate from about 10:30 to 11:30. Late morning is the easiest window for a first-time visitor: several important fountains run at once and you do not have to watch the clock.

Afternoon Fountain Schedule on Weekends

The afternoon is split into shorter windows. The Great Perspective, including Latona and Apollo, typically runs at around:

• 14:00–14:30
• 15:00–16:15
• 16:45–17:00

Many of the groves and garden basins run at around:

• 14:30–15:15
• 16:00–16:45

The Neptune Fountain finale starts at around 17:20. Plan to end the day there if you want to finish on one of the largest displays in the Gardens.

Tuesday Fountain Schedule

On Tuesdays that are Musical Fountains days, the central Great Perspective follows a similar afternoon pattern, but the groves and basins in the program can differ from the weekend selection. Download the official timetable or keep it open on your phone, and do not assume the Saturday route works on a Tuesday.

Neptune Fountain Schedule

The Neptune Fountain is one of the most impressive water features at Versailles. Under the standard 2026 Musical Fountains schedule:

Weekends

It runs in short sequences from roughly 10:00 to 17:00 and again later in the afternoon, with displays of about five minutes every 15 minutes. A special finale with the historic jets starts at around 17:20.

Tuesdays

Short displays can continue through much of the day.

Because Neptune runs so often, it is one of the easiest big fountains to fit into any route.

Mirror Pool Schedule

The Mirror Pool also runs often. During the main daytime program it generally operates from 10:00 to 19:00, with a short display about every ten minutes. If you arrive and the water is still, wait a few minutes.

Water Theatre Grove

The Water Theatre Grove is a modern reinterpretation of a historic garden room and is normally part of the water program. Technical problems sometimes suspend its water features, and that kind of change happens at short notice. Check the current notice on the day, and do not build your whole route around a single fountain.

Why Don’t All the Versailles Fountains Run Continuously?

Versailles has an enormous historic hydraulic system, and the fountains were already a technical challenge under Louis XIV. Even at the height of the royal court, the water had to be rationed. Today the fountains run in scheduled sequences for several reasons:

• conservation
• the limits of the historic water network
• technical operation
• sustainability
• drought restrictions
• visitor programming

Timed fountains are not a modern shortcut. They follow a practice as old as the Gardens.

How Did the Versailles Fountains Work Under Louis XIV?

Supplying the fountains was one of the biggest engineering problems Versailles created. The site does not have enough natural water for the hundreds of jets and cascades that were planned, so engineers built:

• reservoirs
• pumps
• aqueducts
• underground pipe systems
• water-storage networks

The most ambitious of these projects was the Machine de Marly, a huge pumping station on the Seine. Even with it, the water ran short. During royal walks, fountain keepers turned fountains on as the king approached and off again once he had passed, so today’s timetable follows an old habit. Our history of the Palace of Versailles covers the building of the estate.

What Are the Best Fountains at Versailles?

If you cannot see everything, start with these.

1. Latona’s Fountain

Latona’s Fountain sits directly below the Palace terraces. See it for:

• its central position
• the Apollo mythology it illustrates
• the tiered design
• the views back toward the Palace
• its place in the Great Perspective program

2. Apollo’s Fountain

One of the most famous fountains at Versailles, it shows Apollo, the sun god, rising from the water in his chariot. See it for:

• its link with Louis XIV’s Sun King imagery
• its position on the central axis
• the view toward the Grand Canal

3. Neptune Fountain

One of the largest and most technically complex fountains in the Gardens. See it for:

• its many jets
• the sculpture around the basin
• frequent short displays
• the special afternoon finale on Musical Fountains days

4. Mirror Pool

A theatrical water feature with changing jets. See it because it:

• runs often
• puts on a compact performance
• sits close to several groves

5. Ballroom Grove

An enclosed garden room with a stepped cascade. See it for:

• one of the most beautiful groves in the Gardens
• a strong sense of Louis XIV’s garden theater
• a contrast with the open central axis

6. Three Fountains Grove

Water falls through a series of basins at different levels. See it for:

• its smaller, more private setting
• the layered fountain design
• a good example of the hidden side of Versailles

7. Enceladus Grove

The central sculpture shows the giant Enceladus trapped beneath rocks. See it for:

• the dramatic mythology
• its powerful central jet
• one of the most memorable sculptural fountains in the Gardens

8. Dragon Fountain

The dragon Python, part of the Apollo myth, sits in the middle of the basin. See it for:

• a historically famous jet
• its position close to Neptune
• an easy pairing with the northern Gardens

Best Route for the Versailles Fountain Show

A good first-time route:

Palace Terrace → Latona’s Fountain → Ballroom Grove → Royal Way → Apollo’s Fountain → selected southern groves → Mirror Pool → northern groves → Dragon Fountain → Neptune Fountain

Time the last stretch so you reach Neptune for the finale.

Suggested Morning Fountain Route

To use the morning displays:

09:45–10:15

Enter the Gardens and walk toward Latona.

10:30

Watch the central Great Perspective start.

10:45–11:30

Explore the nearby groves and basins that are running.

11:30–12:00

Carry on toward Apollo’s Fountain.

After 12:00

See the parts of the Gardens that do not depend on the water timetable, or stop for lunch before the afternoon program.

Suggested Afternoon Fountain Route

A practical afternoon:

14:00

Start around Latona and Apollo during the central display.

14:30–15:15

Explore the groves while their water features run.

15:15–16:00

Visit the Mirror Pool and the gardens around it.

16:00–16:45

Catch the second grove sequence.

16:45–17:00

Head back toward the central axis.

17:20

Finish at the Neptune Fountain for the finale with the historic jets.

Following the timetable like this saves you from reaching each fountain just after it has stopped.

Do You Need a Ticket for the Versailles Fountain Show?

Yes. During the high-season Musical Fountains and Musical Gardens programs, the formal Gardens charge admission. In 2026 the standard online price for a Gardens-only ticket is €15, or €12 at the reduced rate for eligible EEA nationals and residents. Young children enter free under the program’s age rules. The Gardens-only ticket is sold by the château itself; GetYourGuide does not list it. Our Versailles ticket prices guide sets out every 2026 rate.

Is the Fountain Show Included in the Versailles Passport?

Yes. The high-season Versailles Passport includes daytime access to:

• the Palace
• the Gardens
• the Musical Fountains or Musical Gardens program
• the Grand Trianon
• the Petit Trianon
• the Queen’s Hamlet
• the Park

The standard high-season Passport costs €35 in 2026, or €32 at the EEA rate. For a full first day, one Passport is easier than buying Palace and garden access separately. Our pick is the full-access Passport ticket on GetYourGuide, from $29, rated 4.6/5 from more than 48,000 reviews. Our Passport vs Palace ticket guide compares the two in detail.

Garden Ticket vs Passport

Garden Ticket

Best if:

• you only want the Gardens
• you have already seen the Palace
• the fountains are your main reason for coming
• you do not plan to visit Trianon

Passport

Best if:

• this is your first visit
• you want to see the Palace
• you want to see Trianon
• you are spending most of the day at Versailles

If you know you will spend only two hours in the Gardens, the €15 garden ticket is enough.

Gardens + Trianon Ticket

Visitors who want the Gardens and Trianon without the main Palace can buy a combined ticket. In 2026 it costs €20, or €17 at the EEA rate, and it is sold by the château, not on GetYourGuide. It suits repeat visitors, who can spend the day on:

• the fountain program
• the Grand Canal
• the Grand Trianon
• the Petit Trianon
• the Queen’s Hamlet

without paying for another Palace visit. Our Trianon Estate guide covers what to see there.

Is the Musical Fountains Show Worth It?

For most first-time visitors in high season, yes. The Gardens were designed around:

• water
• movement
• music
• hidden theatrical spaces
• mythological sculpture

With the fountains running, the design makes sense. The downsides:

• garden admission is paid
• weekends can be crowded
• you need to follow the timetable

On an ordinary low-season day the Gardens are still beautiful, but the experience is quieter and mostly still water.

Is Musical Gardens Worth It?

Yes, for different reasons. Choose a Musical Gardens day if:

• you prefer a weekday
• you want to get into the groves
• you enjoy garden design
• the fountains are not your main priority
• you want a quieter visit

If you have never been to Versailles and the fountains are high on your list, pick a Musical Fountains date. Our guide to the best time to visit Versailles shows how show days affect crowds.

What Is the Night Fountains Show?

The Night Fountains Show is a separate ticketed evening event. After dark the Gardens fill with:

• illuminated fountains
• colored lighting
• music
• theatrical effects
• lit groves
• pyrotechnics
• a large final show near the Grand Canal

In 2026 the regular Saturday program runs from 6 June to 19 September, with extra special evenings in summer.

What Time Is the Night Fountains Show?

The regular 2026 evenings run from about 20:30 to 23:05. The final section includes a large fireworks and drone display. Some special evenings run a little longer, and exact times differ on those dates.

2026 Special Night Fountains Events

The official 2026 program includes special nights such as:

4 July

An evening marking the 250th anniversary of American Independence.

14 July

A French National Day (Bastille Day) program.

15 August

A Fire Night Fountains Show.

29 August

A Harry Potter – Back to Hogwarts edition.

These nights can have different prices and a different final show from the ordinary Saturdays.

How Much Is the Night Fountains Show?

Regular Saturday tickets for 2026 start from about €32 for EEA nationals and residents and €35 for other visitors, with €2 extra per ticket bought on site. Special nights cost more (around €40 on 14 July), and higher-priced ticket categories are also sold. The official seller is Château de Versailles Spectacles; check the price for your date there before you book. GetYourGuide and Viator do not list the Night Fountains Show.

Is the Night Fountains Show Included in the Passport?

No. The Passport covers the daytime Musical Fountains or Musical Gardens program under its conditions. The Night Fountains Show is a separate evening event and needs its own ticket.

Can You Visit the Palace and Night Fountains on the Same Day?

Yes. It makes an excellent full Versailles day, but a long one. A sensible plan:

Morning: Palace
Midday: Gardens and lunch
Afternoon: Trianon
Early evening: break and dinner
20:30 onward: Night Fountains

The hard part is stamina: combine everything and you can spend 12 hours at Versailles. If you are driving in for the evening, our guide to parking at Versailles Palace covers where to leave the car for an easier exit after the show.

Why Do the Gardens Close Early on Night Fountains Days?

On Night Fountains dates, daytime visitors have to leave early so staff can prepare the Gardens for the evening. In 2026 the daytime Gardens close at about 17:30 on those dates, and the daytime fountains stop earlier too.

A Passport and a separate Night Fountains ticket do not let you stay inside between the two sessions. Follow the official exit and re-entry instructions.

The Beautiful Waters of Trianon

The fountains are not limited to the formal Gardens. From early May 2026, water displays also run in the Trianon gardens on selected days. The Beautiful Waters of Trianon program includes fountains around:

• the Grand Trianon
• the Petit Trianon
• the Buffet d’Eau

The standard schedule covers selected:

• Tuesdays
• Thursdays
• Saturdays
• Sundays

from about 12:00 to 16:00. It is a good extra if you are spending a full day at Versailles.

Can You See the Palace, Fountain Show and Trianon in One Day?

Yes, with a plan:

09:00–11:00 — Palace

11:00–12:30 — Morning Fountain Program

12:30–13:30 — Lunch

13:30–16:30 — Trianon Estate

16:30 onward — Return toward the Gardens or Palace area

If the Neptune finale matters to you, shorten the Trianon stretch so you are back in time. You will not see every fountain or every Trianon building in detail, but you will see all the main parts of the estate.

Should You Visit the Palace Before the Fountain Show?

Usually, yes. The Palace opens at 09:00 and the main fountain program starts later, so the day falls into place on its own:

09:00 Palace → 10:30/11:00 Gardens

If your Palace slot is later in the day, see the Gardens first; only the Palace needs a timed entry slot. A guided morning works well here: the Versailles: Skip-the-Line Tour of Palace and Gardens Access, from $80 and rated 4.7/5 from more than 12,000 reviews, takes you through the State Apartments and the Hall of Mirrors and leaves you with gardens access for the fountain program afterward.

Best Day to Visit Versailles for the Fountains

For the fullest daytime fountain program, go on a Saturday or Sunday. Weekends have the Musical Fountains schedule every week of the season. For smaller weekday crowds, choose one of the Tuesday fountain dates in May or June.

Saturday or Sunday: Which Is Better?

The daytime fountain program is similar on both days, but summer Saturdays can also have the Night Fountains Show, which cuts both ways:

Advantage

You can follow a day at Versailles with the evening show.

Disadvantage

The daytime Gardens close early for the evening preparations.

If you only want the daytime fountains, Sunday is simpler during the Night Fountains season.

Are the Versailles Fountains Running in Winter?

The full Musical Fountains Show is a high-season event. In winter:

• the Gardens are still impressive
• the formal perspectives are still there
• you can still explore the sculpture and architecture
• some fountains may hold water

The seasonal Musical Fountains program does not run, though. If you want to see the fountains working, visit between April and early November.

What Happens During Drought?

The fountain program can be cut back. Versailles can reduce:

• running times
• water pressure
• certain displays
• fireworks during the evening shows

Saving water comes first, so a published seasonal schedule can change in an unusually dry summer.

Does Rain Cancel the Fountain Show?

The Musical Fountains program is an outdoor walk, and ordinary rain does not cancel it. Severe weather can affect:

• access to the Gardens
• tree-lined areas
• fountain operation
• outdoor events

High winds are the main concern in historic gardens full of mature trees, because branches can fall. Check the official status if a storm or strong wind is forecast.

What Should You Wear?

There is no dress code. Bring:

• comfortable shoes
• clothes for the weather
• sun protection
• a light rain layer
• water

The Gardens are huge and many paths are gravel. Expect to walk much more than a “show” sounds like.

Can You Sit and Watch the Fountain Show?

Not in front of one stage. The daytime Musical Fountains program is a walking route between fountains and groves. You can stop at each display, but no single spot shows all the fountains at once. The Night Fountains finale feels more like a conventional performance, near the Grand Perspective and the Grand Canal.

How Long Do You Need for the Fountain Show?

Allow 1.5–2 hours for a good daytime visit, and 2.5–3 hours to explore more fully. If you want several timed grove sequences and the Neptune finale, you may stay longer. Forty-five minutes is not enough to see the fountain show.

Can You See the Fountains in One Hour?

With good timing, in one hour you can see:

• Latona
• Apollo
• part of the central perspective
• perhaps one nearby grove

You will miss most of the program. If the fountains are a priority, allow at least 90 minutes.

Best Fountain Show Photography Spots

Latona’s Fountain

Best with the Palace behind it.

Apollo’s Fountain

Best with the Grand Canal behind it, or looking back toward the Palace.

Neptune Fountain

Best when the full jets are running.

Mirror Pool

Good for close-ups of the changing water patterns.

Ballroom Grove

Stonework, cascades and greenery in one frame.

Water Parterre

A high view over the central Gardens.

Best Time for Photos

For soft light, shoot:

• early in the morning, before the main water program
• late in the afternoon

For the water, match your photos to the fountain times. Midday light can be harsh, but that is often when several fountains run at once, so the best shot may mean accepting less flattering light.

Fountain Show With Children

Children often enjoy the Gardens more than the Palace. The fountains give them:

• movement
• sound
• open space
• changing scenery

The distances are long, though. With young children, do not chase every timed fountain. Choose:

• Latona
• Apollo
• the Mirror Pool
• Neptune

and treat the rest as optional.

Fountain Show for Older Visitors

Walking is the main challenge. The Gardens have:

• gravel
• slopes
• long distances
• little shade in some areas

Plan your route around the fountains you care about most, and use the estate transport for the long trip to Trianon so you still have energy for the afternoon.

Fountain Show and Accessibility

Many of the main garden areas are accessible, but historic surfaces and slopes make some routes hard going. If you have reduced mobility:

• check the official accessibility map
• stay on the central axis
• allow extra time
• skip the more distant groves
• ask staff about the current accessible routes

Can You Bring Food Into the Gardens?

The rules vary by area. The formal Gardens are not a picnic area; the wider Park around the Grand Canal is the usual place for a picnic. Follow the signs on the day. On a full fountain day, plan lunch around the Grand Canal or at one of the food outlets.

Common Versailles Fountain Show Mistakes

1. Assuming the Fountains Run All Day

They do not. Check the times.

2. Confusing Musical Gardens With Musical Fountains

The names are similar, but the water program is different.

3. Buying a Palace Ticket and Assuming the Gardens Are Included

On high-season program days, the Gardens can charge separately unless you have a Passport.

4. Assuming the Night Fountains Show Is Included in the Passport

It is not.

5. Entering the Gardens Without Checking the Schedule

You can easily reach Apollo just after the water stops.

6. Trying to See Every Fountain

Versailles is too big. Choose your priorities.

7. Missing the Neptune Finale

On a standard Musical Fountains day, plan your route around it if it matters to you.

8. Booking Trianon During the Main Fountain Windows

If the fountains come first, do not spend the whole afternoon on the far side of the estate.

9. Forgetting Early Saturday Closures

Night Fountains preparations change the daytime schedule.

10. Assuming Published Times Can Never Change

Technical problems, drought and weather can all alter the program.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Versailles Musical Fountains Show in 2026?

Every Saturday and Sunday from 4 April to 1 November 2026, plus selected Tuesdays from 5 May to 30 June.

When are the Versailles Musical Gardens in 2026?

Broadly from 1 April to 30 October 2026, mainly Tuesday to Friday, with some Tuesdays given to the Musical Fountains program instead.

What is the difference between Musical Gardens and Musical Fountains?

Musical Fountains days have scheduled water displays across the historic fountains and groves. Musical Gardens days have music and access to the groves without the full fountain program.

What time do the Versailles fountains start?

The main Musical Fountains water program starts at around 10:30, although some fountains that repeat through the day start earlier.

Are the fountains at Versailles on all day?

No. Each fountain runs on its own schedule.

What time is the Neptune Fountain show?

Neptune runs in frequent short sequences during the day, with a special finale at around 17:20 on standard Musical Fountains days.

How much is the Versailles fountain show ticket?

A 2026 Gardens-only ticket on a Musical Fountains day costs €15 online, or €12 at the reduced EEA rate. The full-access Passport (€35, or €32 for EEA residents) also covers it.

Is the fountain show included in the Versailles Passport?

Yes. The high-season Passport includes the daytime Musical Fountains or Musical Gardens program.

Is the Night Fountains Show included in the Passport?

No. It needs a separate ticket.

How much is the Night Fountains Show?

Regular 2026 Saturday tickets start from about €32 for EEA residents and €35 for other visitors, plus €2 if bought on site. Special evenings and higher categories cost more; check the official seller for your date.

What time is the Night Fountains Show?

Regular evenings run from about 20:30 to 23:05.

When is the Night Fountains Show in 2026?

On Saturday evenings from 6 June to 19 September 2026, with extra special evenings in summer.

Can I see the Palace and fountains in the same day?

Yes. Visit the Palace early and move into the Gardens in time for the late-morning fountain program.

How long should I spend at the Versailles fountain show?

At least 1.5–2 hours, or about three hours to explore many groves and catch several timed displays.

Are Versailles fountains running in winter?

The full Musical Fountains program does not run in winter.

Does the fountain show run in the rain?

Ordinary rain does not stop the program, but severe weather can lead to changes or closures.

Which are the best fountains at Versailles?

Start with Latona’s Fountain, Apollo’s Fountain, the Neptune Fountain, the Mirror Pool, the Ballroom Grove and the Enceladus Grove.

Final Thoughts

Water was central to the way Louis XIV’s Gardens were designed. The fountains, groves, sculpture, music and long perspectives were meant to work together as one theater, and a fountain day lets you see that.

For a first visit, keep it simple: pick a Saturday or Sunday in high season, see the Palace early, reach the Gardens before the late-morning water program, follow the central axis, explore a few groves and finish at Neptune if your timing allows.

If you prefer a quieter weekday and the fountains matter less, the Musical Gardens are a pleasant alternative. For the most theatrical version of Versailles, come back after dark for the Night Fountains Show.

Check the timetable before you start walking. Arriving at a fountain 15 minutes earlier can mean watching the water run instead of looking at a still stone basin.