30 May 2023 Opening of the Perfumer’s Garden

EPV / Thomas Garnier

The Perfumer’s Garden, opening on 30 May 2023, represents a return to the atmosphere of 17th-century gardens. Located in the Châteauneuf Orangery, at the centre of the Estate of Trianon, this new garden features hundreds of flower essences, telling the story of the history of perfume and its uses at the Court of Versailles. This project has been developed thanks to the patronage of Maison Francis Kurkdjian.

Perfume at Versailles

When Louis XIV had the Porcelain Trianon built, to be replaced in 1687 by the Grand Trianon, the gardens were overflowing with strongly scented flowers: jasmine, tuberoses and hyacinths. Their fragrances filled the paths and parterres, which flowered all year round, thanks to a system of hothouses.

This passion for flowers and their unique perfumes made Versailles the birthplace of the profession of perfumer in the 17^th century. The court was amazed by the unique fragrances in the gardens, and smelling good became a true obsession for both the sovereigns and the courtesans. Artisans supplied them with increasingly sophisticated products: fragrances, sachets, and even perfumed fans and gloves.

In the 17^thcentury, there was a significant boom in the cosmetics industry, following the development of personal hygiene. The profession of perfumer became particularly fashionable, with more and more people taking it up, including Claude-François Prévost, supplier of scent to Queen Marie Antoinette.

The Perfumer’s Garden

The Perfumer’s Garden is home to hundreds of flower essences: historic plants (roses, jasmine, etc.), some with unique fragrances (chocolate, apple, etc.), others with unpleasant odours, and even so-called “mute” flowers like hyacinths, peonies or violets. Located around the Châteauneuf Orangery, the first flowers have been planted around its paths and parterres since the summer of 2022, to ensure optimal flowering for the opening of the Garden. This is especially the case for the Japanese cherry trees, which form a large floral path, connecting the garden opposite the Orangery and the “secret” garden with a more intimate atmosphere.

This project is the fruit of incredible teamwork between the Trianon gardeners and Maison Francis Kurkdjian.

Opening on 30 May 2023

The Perfumer’s Garden will be open to all visitors on guided tours from 30 May 2023.

Guided tours are only available in French

Admirable Trees

Photos

visits - workshops

Visite guidée - L'atelier du parfumeur

Embarquez pour un voyage olfactif ! Dans le Jardin du Parfumeur, aux centaines d'essences florales, vous serez initié à l'art des jardins odoriférants et à l'usage des parfums à la Cour. Puis en atelier, vous pourrez exercer votre nez et découvrir les secrets de fabrication des parfums: leur architecture, les ingrédients qui les composent, les méthodes d'extraction…

Durée : 2h

10 € Réservez

Ce tarif s'applique en plus

du droit d'entrée

Visite guidée - L'atelier du parfumeur

10 €

Durée : 2h

Visite guidée - L'atelier du parfumeur

10 € Réservez

Ce tarif s'applique en plus

du droit d'entrée

Visite guidée - Les jardins de Trianon

"Mais, quand d'un passé ancien rien ne subsiste (…) l'odeur et la saveur restent encore longtemps, comme des âmes" (Proust, Du côté de chez Swann). Ainsi en est-il des fleurs de Trianon, dont les essences nous entraînent sur les pas de ceux qui ont rêvé et créé les jardins. Venez respirer l'atmosphère subtile et paisible de cet écrin fleuri et découvrez son histoire.

Durée : 1h30

10 € Réserver

Ce tarif s'applique en plus

du droit d'entrée

Visite guidée - Les jardins de Trianon

10 €

Durée : 1h30

Visite guidée - Les jardins de Trianon

10 € Réserver

Ce tarif s'applique en plus

du droit d'entrée

Atelier famille - Voyage sensoriel dans l'atelier du parfumeur

Découvrez les jardins parfumés de Trianon à Versailles, et apprenez-en plus sur les parfums des rois et reines lors d'une visite au Jardin du Parfumeur.

10 € Réservez

Atelier famille - Voyage sensoriel dans l'atelier du parfumeur

10 €

Atelier famille - Voyage sensoriel dans l'atelier du parfumeur

A travers une visite au jardin du parfumeur situé dans les jardins de Trianon, initiez-vous à l’art des jardins odoriférants de Versailles et aux parfums des rois et reines. Puis, en atelier, réfléchissez aux senteurs et identifiez les différentes composantes pour mieux les comprendre à partir de votre expérience olfactive.

10 € Réservez

Entry tickets

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 €

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 estate of Trianon;
the tempory exibitions presented there;
the Gallery of Coaches (every weekend);
the Sculptures and Mouldings Gallery (every weekend);
the Park.

From April 1^st, the Palace Gardens are only accessible on days when Musical Fountains Shows or Musical Gardens are not in session. 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.

12 € Buy

Passport

This ticket gives access to the whole estate of Versailles.

28,50 € Buy

Passport

This ticket gives access to the whole estate of Versailles.

28,50 €

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 :

the Palace with timed entry;
the estate of Trianon;
the temporary exhibitions;
the Gallery of Coaches (every weekend);
the Sculptures and Mouldings Gallery (every weekend);
the Musical Gardens or Musical Fountains Show in the Gardens;
the Park.

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.

Please note that the opening hours of the groves are different from the opening hours for water and music. Please check in advance on this page.

The Gardens close exceptionally at 5:30 p.m. on days of Night Fountains Shows from June to September as well as Friday July 14, Tuesday August 15 and Saturday September 23. The Passport ticket with timed entry does not guarantee access to the Night Fountains shows.

Ticket valid for one entry into the Gardens, through the Honour Courtyard of the Palace or the gates of Little Venice, the Menagerie, Neptune or the Dragon. Please note that a second entry is possible, but only through a different gate than the one used for the first entry.

Tickets can be purchased on site subject to availability.

28,50 € Buy

The patronage of Maison Francis Kurkdjian

The creation of the Perfumer’s Garden has been possible thanks to the patronage of Maison Francis Kurkdjian. The relationship between Palace of Versailles and Marc Chaya and Francis Kurkdjian, co-founders of the eponymous Maison, dates back several years, and includes in particular the Night Fountains Show, when Francis Kurkdjian curated an olfactory experience in the gardens and the recreation of Marie Antoinette’s perfume, Sillage de la Reine (the Queen’s Wake), based on historical documents.

In 2022, Maison Francis Kurkdjian has been delighted to become the sponsor of the Perfumer’s Garden, thereby deepening its commitment to the Palace of Versailles.

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