The Musical Fountains at the Château de Versailles: Dates for the 2026 Edition

The Palace of Versailles and its royal gardens have been a magical part of Paris for over 350 years. Every summer, the 55 fountains sprawled across the sprawling 850 hectares of Versailles Gardens host breathtaking displays inspired by the Sun King era: the Musical Fountains Show and the Garden Concerts. An enchanting spectacle not to be missed during the warmer months.

The new season of the Grandes Eaux Musicales kicks off on April 1st and runs through to November 1st, 2026. Throughout this period, a series of festive events will enliven the gardens of the Palace of Versailles, celebrating the season in style.

Grandes eaux musicales

A not-to-be-missed event for families and tourists alike in the gardens of the Domaine de Versailles, the afternoon musical "Grandes Eaux " enliven the fountains in a royal atmosphere.

Imagine, from the Grande Perspective to the Bassin de Neptune, via the Salle de Bal and its semi-circular cascade, all the largest basins come to life , redeploying the splendor of the Domaine de Versailles. During the summer months, the Garden offers one of the most beautiful spectacles in the world, conceived by Louis XIV and created by the best Italian fountain-makers, the Francines, in collaboration with Le Nôtre!

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It's quite impressive to observe this hydraulic system imagined in 1660, in order to support the power of the Sun King: in four years, the most beautiful gardens in the world were created thanks to the heaviest work of the time. Digging of the Grand Canal, construction of imposing water reservoirs, installation of an immense 35 km network of closed pipes, leading to 600 water features! To find out more about the precise timetable for the water displays, click here!

Musical gardens

The Jardins Musicaux (Musical Gardens ) offer another opportunity to stroll to the rhythm of Baroque music. As you stroll through the flowerbeds, through the string-trimmed box trees or through the groves that are exceptionally open to the public for the Jardins Musicaux, you'll come across statues of Apollo, Proserpine, the Marmousets and other masterpieces, some of them hidden from view. You can also admire the topiaries hand-trimmed by the Château de Versailles' art gardeners, using skills handed down from generation to generation.

To round off your stroll, the Théâtre d'Eau grove features the most beautiful fountain-sculptures in action, while the Bassin du Miroir is a showcase for modern water features.

And don't miss the Sérénade Royale in the Hall of Mirrors, every Saturday in summer, after the Grandes Eaux Musicales and before the Grandes Eaux Nocturnes.

A visit to the Château de Versailles and its program
The Château de Versailles, its gardens and grounds, are a world heritage site. The official residence of the kings of France, the Château de Versailles holds the record as the largest château in the world, and of course the most visited in France. [Read more]