An afternoon in the private estate of Marie Antoinette – the Petit Trianon and hamlet

Highlights

Explore the exquisite Petit Trianon
Step into Marie Antoinette's private realm
Visit the remarkable Queen's Hamlet
Experience the healthy simplicity of country life
Guided tour led by an expert English-speaking guide

Summary

Discover the enchanting world of Marie Antoinette on this afternoon excursion. Explore the beautiful Petit Trianon, witness the queen's private theatre, and immerse yourself in her charming Normandy village.

Tour info

Duration

2 hours

Group Size

Why take this tour?

Treat yourself to an afternoon excursion to the queen’s personal domain. You’ll visit the Petit Trianon, an exquisite private palace set in a luxuriant garden where Marie Antoinette spent much of her time, view her private theatre, one of the most remarkable venues in the entire estate and wander through the queen’s ersatz Normandy village, featuring a vineyard, a dairy, and a vegetable farm, specially built for her to simulate the healthy simplicity of country life.

Over 4 million people annually visit the Palace of Versailles, but for nearly 90% of the visitors the experience is limited to the State Apartments and the distant perspective of the gardens. With your expert and entertaining guide, you have the rare opportunity to really make the period and the personalities come to life by continuing your visit into more exclusive areas. Upon leaving the main palace behind, distance the crowds and access areas reserved for the private lives and loves of the royalty.

With a diamond-encrusted key, Louis XVI offered his wife Marie Antoinette an escape from the ritualized public life she found so suffocating. This key unlocked the small Petit Trianon palace, sheltered from gossip and criticism, where she could feel free. Follow in her footsteps, through her English gardens and into the place she called home. The furniture and decoration authentically represents the queen’s own taste and favored craftsmen. You’ll be able to take a peek at Marie Antoinette’s private theatre, a hidden jewel of Versailles, installed so the queen herself could star in popular plays applauded by her fashionable ladies-in-waiting!

Just down the path from the richly adorned palace, Marie Antoinette commissioned a replica rustic village, evoking Normandy with its thatched cottages and dairy herd. Here she appreciated the informal atmosphere and healthy air, and indulged in pastoral amusements.

Spend an afternoon exploring the private life of Queen Marie-Antoinette. A perfect add on to a visit to the Palace, you will discover both the splendor of court life at Versailles and the private lives of the Royal Family, allowing you to fully understand their lives and ultimate downfall.

What’s included?

Guided visit of the Domain of Marie Antoinette, including the Petit Trianon and Queen’s Hamlet
All reservations and entrance tickets
Expert, English-speaking tour guide
Gratuities

Things to know

Before you book

This tour is most suitable for guests who are already visiting the palace of Versailles in the morning or who have visited previously

Cancellation Policy

Up to 24 hours before the beginning of the activity: full refund Less than 24 hours before the beginning of the activity or no-show: no refund

Operator Website

Operated by:

Memories France

About operator:

Memories France is a small, experienced team, working together to offer our guests unforgettable experiences in and around Paris. Living and working in Paris, we are a truly local company! We work with the very best guides, professionals who are fully accredited, fluent in English and passionate about sharing their knowledge and love of their city. We source first-rate local partners, uncover hidden treasures and put together unique tours that allow our guests to experience world famous sites in the most relaxed and memorable way possible, and to discover the authentic, local aspects of our beautiful city. We are committed to quality, to ensuring that each experience is special, and to sharing the very best that our city has to offer, so that our heritage becomes your memories.