The estate of Trianon A place of intimacy

In an attempt to gain some brief respite from courtly etiquette, the kings of Versailles built themselves more intimate spaces close to the main palace. Adjoining the Petit Parc, the estate of Trianon is home to the Grand Trianon and Petit Trianon palaces, as well as the Queen’s Hamlet and a variety of ornamental gardens. 

Construction on the estate began under Louis XIV, who had the Grand Trianon Palace built at the far end of the northern branch of the Grand Canal. The estate is perhaps most closely associated with Queen Marie-Antoinette. The wife of Louis XVI regularly sought refuge at the Petit Trianon, where she commissioned marvellous landscaped gardens centred around a hamlet of cottages built in the rustic style then in vogue. Designed for more intimate moments, this royal estate contains architectural gems and magnificent gardens whose diversity and ornamentation give it a unique charm.

The Grand Trianon is a unique architectural composition featuring a central colonnaded gallery, or ‘Peristyle’, opening onto the central courtyard on one side and the gardens on the other. Construction began in 1687, directed by Jules Hardouin-Mansart under the watchful eye of Louis XIV. The king used this new palace as a private residence where he could spend time with Madame de Maintenon. It was originally known as the ‘Marble Trianon’ on account of the pink marble panels which adorned the palace’s elegant façades. The majority of the apartments have retained their original appearance, including the sumptuous Mirror Room where the king would hold council. The ornate geometric flowerbeds of the French gardens were planted with tens of thousands of flowers, a spectacle which was greatly admired by Louis XIV’s visitors.

The Petit Trianon, considered to be royal architect Ange-Jacques Gabriel’s masterpiece, is something of a manifesto for the neo-classical movement. Completed in 1768, it provided Louis XV and his new mistress the Comtesse Du Barry with the privacy which was so sorely lacking at the palace.
This new royal residence was in fact an extension of the king’s passion for the botanical sciences: he was keen to have a home in the heart of the gardens to which he devoted so much of his time and which, by the time of his death, were among the most richly-stocked in Europe. With the exception of the French Garden, Louis XV’s beloved gardens were thoroughly overhauled to make way for new, landscaped spaces after his death. Marie-Antoinette, who had such trouble adapting to life in the court, received the Petit Trianon as a gift from Louis XVI in 1774 and developed a great attachment to this estate.

The Queen’s Hamlet, constructed between 1783 and 1786 under the supervision of Richard Mique, is an excellent example of the contemporary fascination with the charms of rural life. Inspired by the traditional rustic architecture of Normandy, this peculiar model village included a windmill and dairy, as well as a dining room, salon, billiard room and boudoir. Although it was reserved primarily for the education of her children, Marie-Antoinette also used the hamlet for promenades and hosting guests.

Meanwhile the Queen’s Theatre, inaugurated in 1780, is the only building to have survived fully intact and unchanged since the eighteenth century. The queen watched private performances here, but also took to the stage herself, another of her great passions.

 

Estate of Trianon's leaflet

The estate of Trianon's leaflet is free and available for free at the entrance.

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The Belles Eaux of Trianon

Every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 12pm to 4pm, discover the Belles Eaux de Trianon and enjoy the gardens of the Grand and Petit Trianon and their fountains, including the recently restored Buffet d'Eau.

The Buffet d'Eau

© EPV / Thomas Garnier


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The interior of Queen's House is accessible only on a guided tour

Passport

This ticket gives access to the whole estate of Versailles.

24 €

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32 €

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Passport

This ticket gives access to the whole estate of Versailles.
24 €
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Passport

This ticket gives access to the whole estate of Versailles (Palace, Estate of Trianon and the gardens). Book online and enter to the Palace in the half hour following the chosen time.

It includes :

To make the most of the Estate of Versailles, the Gardens are open from 8am, the Estate of Trianon from 12pm, the Gallery of Coaches from 12.30pm.

Tickets can be purchased on site subject to availability.

Low season rate

24 € Buy

High season rate

32 € Buy

Estate of Trianon ticket

This ticket gives you access to the estate of Trianon.

12 €

Buy

Estate of Trianon ticket

This ticket gives you access to the estate of Trianon.
12 €
Read more
Estate of Trianon ticket

This ticket guarantees access to the estate of Trianon (including the Grand Trianon, the Petit Trianon, the Queen's Hamlet and their gardens) starting at noon.

It includes access to :

The Passport guarantees access to the Estate of Versailles (Palace, Estate of Trianon and the Gardens).

Tickets can be purchased on site subject to availability.

Rates

12 € Buy

Guided tours

The Gardens

The art of perspective

The Gardens
The Palace

From the seat of power to a museum of the history of France

The Palace