The great park loop: Hamlet, Ferme de Gally and the Pièce d'Eau des Suisses
A half-day circuit that shows the park's working edges – farmland, woods and the Swiss Guards' lake – as well as its showpieces.
Photo: Château de Versailles / Christian Milet
Distance
13.3 km
Time
4 h
Difficulty
Moderate
Start
Porte Saint-Antoine, Le Chesnay side of the park (small paid car park, free parking across the road)
Past
the Queen's Hamlet, Allée de la Ceinture to the Ferme de Gally, the far end of the Grand Canal with the view back to the palace, the Pièce d'Eau des Suisses and the Potager du Roi, the Apollo Fountain
Season
All year; the palace gardens section needs the château to be open.
With children
Long – for keen walkers and older children. Crosses the D10 twice at pedestrian crossings.