Versailles: what to do, what to see...

Versailles, the Royal City, lies 20km from Paris and astonishes visitors with its world-famous palace, as well as its charming cobbled streets. The Château grounds can be explored on horseback, and the equine theme continues with a visit to the National Equestrian Academy in the royal stables. These same gardens come to life during the magical fountain displays in summer, evoking the feasts of the Sun King. But the country’s revolutionary past is also celebrated here.

WHAT TO SEE

• The dazzling Palace of Versailles, former residence of the Kings of France
• The Royal Tennis Court, a key site of the French Revolution
• The "Quai d'Orsay" Library, where the treaty of American independence was signed
• The National Equestrian Academy of Versailles in the magnificent stables of the King
• The King's Vegetable Garden, designed by La Quintinie to supply Louis XIV's table

WHAT TO DO

• Take a tour around the Royal City by horse drawn carriage
• A photo session dressed as a character from the 18th Century court
• Horse riding in the grounds of the Palace of Versailles
• Dine at ReminiSens restaurant-theatre and meet with the Kings of France
• Opera, concerts and ballets at the Royal Opera

WHAT TO TASTE

• Macaroon with jasmine and gilded with fine gold at Atelier Saveurs
• Unusual varieties of jam from the King's Vegetable Garden
• A Gâteau Louis XIV from the Alain Ducasse factory
• Regional specialties of cheese from Fromagerie Le Gall
• La Varenne's biscuits and chocolate delicacies inherited from the court of the Kings

WHAT TO BRING BACK

• Nina's authentic gourmet Versailles Tea at Pierre et Tim Cookies
• A Marie Antoinette t-shirt from La Façonnerie
• Chocolate art works from Art et Chocolat
• Textile products created in partnership with the Museum of Toile de Jouy
• A Golden Louis from the Tourist Office shop

Getting to Versailles