The gardens of Versailles are among the greatest feats of landscape design in history. André Le Nôtre laid them out for Louis XIV from the 1660s onwards, imposing a rigorous geometry on what was originally swampy, unpromising ground. The result — clipped hedges, flat parterres, radiating allées, fountains and sculpture at every node — stretches for 800 hectares west of the palace and could absorb a full day of walking.
The formal gardens closest to the palace are at their most impressive from the terrace: the Parterre du Midi, the Parterre d'Eau (two large reflecting pools), and the perspective down through the Bassin de Latone and the Bassin d'Apollon to the Grand Canal shimmering in the distance. Further out, the gardens give way to woodland bosquets — enclosed garden rooms hidden among the trees, each with its own fountain, sculpture, and character.
Entry to the gardens is free most days (there is a charge on Musical Fountains days). Walking from the palace terrace to the far end of the Grand Canal and back is around 9km — wear comfortable shoes and bring water. The bicycle hire near the Grand Canal makes exploring the outer reaches much easier.