The Journées du Patrimoine 2025 open their arms to us on the weekend of Saturday September 20 and Sunday September 21, 2025, for a new 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.
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 they are sold in the boutique!
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. As a remarkable heritage site, classified as a Historic Monument and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Potager du Roi opens its doors to you during the Journées Européennes du Patrimoine 2025 on the theme of architectural heritage.
11am, 2.30pm, 3pm: guided tour of the Potager du Roi
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. As a remarkable heritage site, classified as a Historic Monument and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Potager du Roi opens its doors to you during the Journées Européennes du Patrimoine 2025 on the theme of architectural heritage.
For this guided tour, the Potager du Roi invites you to discover a unique skill, mastered by only a handful of gardeners in France and Europe: the art of espalier planting. Listed as part of France's Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2023, this is the art of growing fruit trees in a garden, trellised along the wall.
Since the 17th century, the Potager du Roi has been practicing and teaching the art of pruning and training fruit trees in espalier or counter-espalier, in a variety of shapes. Committed to agro-ecological management, the garden now boasts 3,500 trees and almost 350 varieties of fruit trees, trained in 70 different shapes.
With the "Sponsor a fruit tree" sponsorship campaign, the Potager du Roi plans to replant half of its trellised trees by 2034. This vast tree rejuvenation program is part of a twofold objective: to preserve the historical heritage of the garden, and to adapt it to the environmental and ecological challenges of the 21st century.
La Quintinie fan, double corrugated cord... Discover this exceptional art during a guided tour led by one of our gardeners.
Heritage Days 2025 in Versailles (78): program of events and places to visit
The Journées du Patrimoine (Heritage Days) are back on September 20 and 21, 2025, to let us discover the riches of our heritage. We're off to Versailles, in the Yvelines, to take advantage of this year's special offers, with visits to the Château de Versailles and other institutions on the program. [Read more]
The Académie Équestre 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 20 and 21, 2025. Click here to discover the program! [Read more]
Dates and Opening Time
From September 20, 2025 to September 21, 2025
Location
King's Kitchen Garden
10 Rue du Maréchal Joffre
78000 Versailles
Access
RER: Versailles Rive Gauche
Prices
Free
Recommended age
For all
Official website
journeesdupatrimoine.culture.gouv.fr
Heritage Days 2025 in Versailles (78): program of events and places to visit
Heritage Days 2025 at the Grande Ecurie de Versailles (78), free tours!
