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The Etoile Royale

In the heart of the central axis of the park of Versailles, the Etoile Royale (Royal Star), which dates from the end of the 17th century, is a key feature of the composition designed by Le Nôtre. It prolongs the water perspective of the Grand Canal and initiates the other one stretching westward in the plain of Versailles.

Seriously damaged during the great storm of 1999, the Etoile Royale was reduced in recent years to a vast stretch of lawn punctuated very sparsely by a few Italian poplars.

In order to restore to this magnificent work of Le Nôtre its original trees and landscape, the Palace has undertaken to restore its walks and has launched a complete programme to replant the trees lining them. A total of 446 lime trees (Tilia cordata), the traditional species used for lining the walks of the park of Versailles, will be replanted according to the historical pattern. 

Adopt a tree

If you wish to offer your assistance to the replanting campaign for the Etoile Royale, whose first donor is Moët Hennessy, you can make a donation and adopt one or more trees.


The cost of the adoption is €1,000 per tree (covers the purchase of the tree, transport, planting and a year’s maintenance). A certificate of adoption will be made out in your name or the name of the person to whom you wish to offer it as a gift.

To make a donation

Just send a letter to:
Président du Château de Versailles, RP 834, 78008 Versailles Cedex stating that you wish to adopt a tree in support of the replanting of the Etoile Royale, accompanied by a bank or postal cheque made out to: l’Agent comptable de l’Etablissement public du château de Versailles.

If you are a French tax-payer, a tax receipt will be sent to you to enable you to benefit from the tax law on philathropic giving you the right to an income tax reduction of 66% of the donations made by private individuals and 60% for companies.
To thank you for your donation, you will receive a free "A Year in Versailles" subscription card giving you unlimited access to the palace and its estate for a year.

Information: Development Department: 01 30 83 77 04 / 77 70 / 84 49