Storm Benjamin: the Palace of Versailles is closing its parks and gardens on Thursday, October 23

The Palace of Versailles has announced the closure of the park, gardens, and Trianon estate from noon on Thursday, October 23, 2025, due to Storm Benjamin, which is hitting the Île-de-France region. Please note, however, that the palace will remain open.

Storm Benjamin is hitting France this Thursday, October 23, 2025, bringing strong winds and heavy gusts that are affecting much of the country. In the Yvelines, faced with the unfavorable weather conditions forecast for the afternoon, the Palace of Versailles is taking drastic safety measures by closing its outdoor areas. The park, gardens, and Trianon estate will no longer be accessible after 12:00 p.m., but the palace itself will continue to welcome visitors throughout the day.

This decision comes as Météo-France forecasts gusts of up to 85 km/h in the Île-de-France region, putting visitors to the vast wooded areas of the Versailles estate at risk. Public transportation is also disrupted, notably the Transilien V line between Versailles-Chantiers and Massy-Palaiseau, which is suspended from noon to 5 p.m.
Why close the castle's outdoor areas?

The early closure of the park and gardens is due to a major risk: falling branches and trees caused by high winds. The 800 hectares of the Versailles estate are home to thousands of century-old trees, and in this autumn season, the vegetation still retains its foliage, making the trees particularly vulnerable to gusts of wind. This precautionary measure is primarily intended to protect visitors from possible accidents.

The Palace of Versailles is not the only site in the Paris region to take this decision. The City of Versailles has also announced the closure of its municipal parks and gardens on Thursday, joining the capital and other cities in the Ile-de-France region.

What to do in Versailles if you had planned a visit?

Good news for those who had planned a visit: the palace will remain open as usual throughout the day. You will therefore still be able to explore the royal apartments, the Hall of Mirrors, and the palace collections without any problems. However, you will have to postpone your romantic stroll through André Le Nôtre's French gardens or your exploration of Marie Antoinette's estate.

The situation should improve from Friday, October 24, 2025, with the wind gradually weakening. The palace teams will then carry out the necessary checks before reopening the outdoor areas. To follow developments in real time, visit the official website of the Palace of Versailles or their practical information page.

What other disruptions are there in the Île-de-France region?

Nineteen French departments are on orange alert this Thursday, reflecting the scale of this autumnal weather event. In Île-de-France, several transport lines are affected, including the Transilien H, K, and P lines. If you are planning to travel to Versailles by train, be sure to check the timetables before you leave.

This first major autumn storm is a reminder of the importance of staying alert during windy weather. Météo-France recommends avoiding non-essential travel and staying away from trees and wooded areas. The authorities also advise securing any objects that could be blown away by the wind.

In short, if you had planned to stroll through the Versailles groves this Thursday, it would be better to postpone your outing and enjoy the splendors of the palace itself, well sheltered from the elements. The gardens should reopen quickly once the storm has passed, after inspection by the estate's technical teams.

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