Is It Worth Visiting Versailles Night Fountains and Fireworks Show?
During the day, the splendour of Versailles, with its chateau and gardens, is breathtaking. Still, when evening arrives, something new and magical occurs - an unmissable event called the Versailles Night Fountains Show.
In this post, you will learn about the Versailles Extravaganza and decide whether it is worth visiting.
This article may contain affiliate links – For more information, please read my disclaimer and privacy policy.
Getting to Versailles from Paris
Train: Take the one-hour RER train journey from Paris to Versailles Chateau Rive Gauche station, and from there, it is a short walk away.
Taxi: Private transfers from Paris can be arranged with your hotel.
Car: If you plan to travel around France, you may want to book a rental car. Versailles is a 16-mile drive from Paris. Car parking is available at Versailles or your local hotel.
Or join a fabulous day tour from Paris to Versailles, which includes cycling around the park and skip-the-queues evening entry into Versailles to see the Night Fountain and Fireworks Show.
How to see the Fountains and Fireworks Show at Versailles
I booked the Versailles Garden Night Fountains and Firework Show to celebrate my birthday and as a fitting end to my two-week Europe Trip.
Visitors to the Night Fountains Show with fireworks are welcomed into the gardens as the sun sets around 8:00 p.m.; seeing them at twilight is incredible. Versailles gets crowded on these special evenings, so arrive slightly earlier than your ticketed time to get to the front of the queue.
You have several hours to wander around the gardens before the fireworks start. Refreshment stalls are available around the gardens, but bringing your water and a snack is a good idea as prices are high and the queues are long.
At 10:45 p.m., the grand firework finale starts, illuminating the night sky and leaving the audience speechless. This brings a finish to the Versailles Night Fountain Show.
What to Expect at the Versailles Fireworks Show
The Gardens of Versailles are one of the largest gardens in the world, spanning almost 2,000 hectares in size, with manicured lawns, sculpted hedges, secret spots, fountains, statues, and meandering walkways.
During the Fountains and Fireworks Show, the garden of King Louis XIV is transformed into a fairytale setting.
They are illuminated with lanterns and candles, creating a magical vibe. Fountains gush water into the air as colourful orbs from a bubble machine drift along on the evening breeze. Add to that the sound of Baroque music floating through the air, and if you shut your eyes, you could almost be transported back to the Sun King's court.
The Grand Perspective
This panoramic view from the chateau, overlooking the manicured lawns and down to the Grand Canal, is possibly the most photographed part of the Versailles garden. When we visited, the hues of the setting sun and the bubbles floating in the sky gave the landscape an almost ethereal feel.
The Orangery
The Orangery is the location of hundreds of tiny lanterns strategically placed to make the area look even more surreal than usual. As dusk falls, the twinkling lights illuminate every inch of it.
The Fountain Latona
Fountain Latona is situated between the Palace of Versailles and the Grand Canal, featuring a statue of Latona, the Roman goddess of motherhood and modesty, on the top tier. We loved seeing bubbles floating about, making the fountain look even more enchanting.
The impressive mile-long Grand Canal stretches through the garden and to the lake at the bottom. This is where the evening fireworks grand finale takes place.
The Collonade
With Baroque music playing, you almost expect to turn a corner and bump into the "Sun King" himself.
The Roman Collonade is a hidden area with a central fountain and a full circle of arches. It's a great place to sit and absorb the enchanting atmosphere all around.
The Main Extravaganza
Before the fireworks are set off, see the fantastic fire and music display on the central lawn. It's brilliant!
Versailles' fireworks are so remarkable that you can see them from anywhere in the gardens, so don't worry about being right by the lake. I must say that I think the fireworks display in Versailles was one of the best I have ever seen.
Chateau of Versailles
It is easy to see why the Chateau of Versailles is one of the world's most famous landmarks, especially after dark when illuminated and standing majestically within the gardens.
If you plan on visiting Versailles Palace during the day, you could buy a skip-the-line tour ticket to enter the chateau until closing time and then use your separate Night Fountains and Firework ticket for admission to the display.
Where to stay in Versailles
Budget: 2-star Royal Hotel Versailles. Scores 8.3 /10 from guest reviews. An average nightly stay in July is £112.
Mid-Range: 3-star Hotel la Residence du Barry. Scores 8.3 /10 from guest reviews. An average nightly stay in July is £146.
Luxury: 5-star - We chose to stay at the Waldorf Astoria Versailles because it was a walkable distance from the Palace of Versailles. Scores 8.3 /10 from guest reviews. An average nightly stay in July is £327.
As the Night Fountains Show finishes at 11 pm, we wanted to stay locally so we could quickly walk back to our hotel without needing transport.
Conclusion
I loved everything about the Versailles Fountains and Fireworks Show and would highly recommend it to anyone seeking an entirely different experience from the typical tours of Versailles. It is suitable for all age groups, and it was lovely to see both young and old enjoying themselves in such a historical setting.
Please note: The Night Fountains Show, including fireworks, is entirely different from other tickets you can buy for Versailles' fountains show during the day.
Make sure you purchase the correct ticket before arriving from the official Versailles website.
Need help planning your next holiday?
Please check out my curated Travel Resources Guide for the exact booking platforms, transport tools, and eSIMs I use on my travels.
Please PIN for Future Travel to France
HEADING TO FRANCE? PLEASE CHECK OUT MY TRAVEL GUIDES ↓
16 Most Beautiful Towns and Villages in the South of France
18 Most Beautiful Towns and Villages in Northern France
11 Most Beautiful Towns in Eastern France To Visit on a Road Trip
One Day In Strasbourg: The Best Sightseeing Attractions
10 Fun Things To Do In Beaune, France – The Wine Capital of Burgundy
A Wonderful Weekend of Sightseeing and Champagne Tasting in Reims
12 Great Things To Do In Chamonix in Summer
Discover Eguisheim, France: A Fairytale Alsace Village
Epic Guide To 8 Wine Regions In France
9 Most Beautiful French Beach Towns Worth Visiting
The Perfect French Riviera 3-Night Travel Guide
Things To Do In Eze: The Enchanting Village On The French Riviera
Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild: Visit The Opulent Pink Mansion On The French Riviera
How To Visit Claude Monet’s House and Garden On A Giverny Day Trip From Paris
One Day In Nice: 10 Great Things To See And Do
One Day In Marseille Map And Attractions
Angela Price: is an accomplished travel writer bringing extensive expertise and passion to the world of travel.
With over 40 years of globetrotting adventures under her belt and with a keen eye for unique experiences, she has established herself as an authoritative voice in travel, offering invaluable insights for fellow adventurers seeking to uncover the delights of worldwide destinations.
Her motto is “live life wandering not wondering”. Read more about Angie.
Angie, I know this post is a few years old, but I am traveling to Paris with my daughters next month and have a question for you about Versailles. It will be all of our first times at Versailles. I see that the night fountain shows are from 8:30-11:00pm. But we would also like to visit the Palace and I saw that it closes at 6:30pm. Is there a way to do both in the same day so that we are not traveling out two separate days? What would you suggest. Thanks!
In answer to your question I would suggest going for dinner in between the time the palace shuts and the fireworks start.
There are outdoor cafes/ restaurants directly across from Versailles so you don’t need to go too far.
It will kill and hour or so before you need to queue for the fireworks.
There is also a public park at Versailles but there isn’t much there however you could have a wander around it before dinner to fill in some time.
Hope this helps. Have a lovely time.
Wow! Versailles was the first day trip I did during my first time visiting Paris back in the 90s. I'll be back in Paris for a few days later this year, and I wasn't planning to see Versailles again. After reading this, I think I might reconsider and take an evening trip out there. Good suggestion to stay locally since the fireworks show is so late - I'll remember that when I book the hotels.
I'm so glad my post has inspired you to re-visit Versailles. You will love the Night Fountains Show it is amazing.