Heritage Days 2024: free tours of the King's Kitchen Garden at the Château de Versailles (78)

The Journées du Patrimoine 2024 open their arms to us on the weekend of Saturday September 21 and Sunday September 22, 2024, for another edition of this event celebrating French culture. For two days, discover places rarely open to the public, religious buildings or historic monuments, in contact with real enthusiasts, throughout the Île-de-France region. Head for the Yvelines, and in particular Versailles, this royal city with its many facets, for a host of free visits in enchanting surroundings.

• To be read
• Tips for the week of November 18 to 24, 2024 in Paris: free or inexpensive outings
• What to do in Paris and the Paris Region in November 2024? Our tips and ideas for outings

Head for the Potager du Roi, close to the Château de Versailles, to smell all the aromatic herbs and marvel at little-known plant varieties. A place of production, experimentation and training since its creation, this immense garden is now home to theÉcole Nationale Supérieure de Paysage. Built between 1678 and 1683 by Jean-Baptiste La Quintinie, at the request of King Louis XIV, this masterpiece of the art of the regular French garden was created to supply the king's table with fruit and vegetables. It couldn't be more local!

Classified as a historic monument and a remarkable garden, its gardeners perpetuate the art of pruning in a place that has been open to the public since 1991. An integral part of the Versailles estate, these raised beds were once home to asparagus in January, strawberries in March, figs and even melons, thanks to the exotic plants brought back by travelers. You can still taste the products of the time, as the production is sold in the boutique!

The 2024 Heritage Days program

• European Heritage Days - Potager du Roi
  September 21 and 22
  

  Saturday September 21 and Sunday September 22, 10 am to 6 pm
  The Potager du Roi, an essential part of the Versailles estate, was built at the request of Louis XIV between 1678 and 1683 to provide fruit and vegetables for the royal table. Both a listed heritage site and a multifaceted living garden, it is managed by the Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Paysage, which perpetuates its original mission: to produce, experiment and pass on knowledge, generation after generation.

  Guided tours to discover the historic Potager du Roi
  All day long, discover the Potager du Roi on foot or by taking part in one of the many guided tours at 11:00, 11:30, 14:00, 14:30, 15:00, 15:30, 16:00 and 16:30.

  Activities for young visitors
  Over the weekend, from 2pm to 6pm, join the whole family for the many activities on offer, including fun and artistic activities for young visitors:

  Pop-Up workshop, with the design of a small pop-up booklet on the theme of animals
  The King of the Vegetable Garden, to design his ideal crown
  The colors of the King's Vegetable Garden, to draw inspiration from seasonal colors and imagine a plan of the garden
  Discovering the colors of nature, using garden materials to produce colors
  Drawing in situ, with a drawing session in the landscape of the Potager du Roi
  Silhouetting animals, creating shapes with foam board
  Story time, for an hour of reading towards an enchanted world

  Admission:

  Free admission to the Potager du Roi from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  Free one-hour guided tours and events

  Program available on our website

  
  
  

Heritage Days 2024 in Versailles (78): program of places to visit and events
The Journées du Patrimoine (Heritage Days) are back on September 21 and 22, 2024, to give us the chance to discover the riches of our heritage, which couldn't be richer. We're off to Versailles in the Yvelines to discover the best of this year's event, with visits to the Château de Versailles and other institutions on the agenda. [Read more]

Heritage Days 2024 at the Grande Ecurie de Versailles (78), free tours!
The Académie Equestre de Versailles and the Versailles Campuses are opening the doors of the Grande Écurie at the Château de Versailles for the Heritage Days, on the weekend of September 21 and 22, 2024. Click here to discover the program! [Read more]