10 Best Things to Do in Yvelines

The Palace of Versailles will astound you with its sheer size and breath-taking beauty. This former royal residence was built by King Louis XIV in the 17th century. It has 2,300 rooms and is a spectacular display of dazzling gilt and magnificent paintings. With the immense gardens, the Estate of Trianon and the Great Stables to visit too, plan on spending a lot of time here.

From November to March, visits to the Versailles Estate are free on the first Sunday of each month. You can also download the free Versailles app for an interactive map and audio tour of the palace if you prefer to visit at your own pace rather than take a guided tour.

France Miniature is a fantastic theme park sprawling over 5 hectares, showcasing France’s monuments and attractions. You’ll see smaller versions of the Eiffel Tower, the Château de Josselin, the port of La Rochelle and other iconic landmarks, all made with exquisite detail. There are over 100 monuments in total and you can stroll from one region to another at your own pace.

It’s a great way for all the family to learn more about the country, and you’ll love the fun, interactive quizzes and games. Throughout the park, there are also huge slides, acrobatic circuits and children’s activities, as well as picnic tables, restaurants and a gift shop, so you can easily spend an entire day here.

The Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye is a striking castle located west of Paris and north of Versailles. Once a royal palace, this majestic building is now home to the National Museum of Archeology. You can admire over 30,000 archeological objects from several eras, including Paleolithic, The Bronze Age and The Iron Age. There are also temporary exhibitions and an interesting “Artifact of the Month” feature.

If you love stunning architecture, this castle is for you. You’ll enjoy walking through the immense gardens, taking in the beautiful façade of the castle, then visiting the 12th century Gothic chapel in the grounds. If you want to take advantage of free entry, visits are free on the first Sunday of each month.

The Forêt domaniale de Saint-Germain is a beautiful forest of approximately 35 sq km, just 20 km outside Paris. Once used by royalty as hunting grounds, this enchanting expanse is now a haven of peace for those looking to escape the bustle of the city.

The forest is popular with locals, who hike and bike along the long, winding trails through the greenery. They also come to pick mushrooms and chestnuts, depending on the season. You’ll be struck by the silence and tranquillity as you stroll in the shade of the old oak trees. This is a great place to get back to nature and unwind.

The Queen’s Hamlet was originally a cluster of 10 buildings built by Louis XVI for Marie-Antoinette in the late 18th century. Today, just 8 of these buildings remain in the Trianon Gardens at Versailles. Some have been fully restored, including the Queen’s House, and you can stroll around this idyllic hamlet to admire the wonderful, rustic buildings, the beautiful lake and the immaculately landscaped gardens.

You’ll soon discover why Marie-Antoinette loved to retreat here with her close circle of friends to enjoy the bucolic life and the tranquillity of a working dairy, farm and estate. The interior of the Queen’s House is well worth visiting, but please note that you can only do so on a guided tour.

Thoiry ZooSafari is a wonderful choice to spend a day discovering wild animals in a fun and educational way. The hour-long safari is highly recommended and a popular way to see elephants, giraffes, zebras and other wild animals from the comfort and safety of your own automobile.

If you’re feeling adventurous, why not try Les Tanières (The Dens)? You’ll spend a night in the park, feasting on a delicious barbecue, before settling in for the evening to observe the nocturnal movements of the bears roaming the forest. You’ll get to hear the howling of the Arctic wolves and experience an unforgettable night amongst these wild animals. Don’t worry, you’ll be perfectly safe as a ranger will be with you!

The Marché Notre-Dame lies approximately 1 km east of the Palace of Versailles. This busy market spawls over 2 parts. In the indoor section, you’ll find fresh fish, meat, charcuterie, a variety of regional cheeses and freshly prepared dishes. Outdoors, you can stroll down aisle after aisle of stalls where vendors sell local and international clothing, shoes, bags and textiles.

Locals love to come here on Sunday mornings, and it can get very busy. After a couple of hours browsing the wares, they then head to the bars, cafes and restaurants which line the edges of the market. It’s a great place to watch the world go by and listen to the lively bantering coming from the stalls.

The Galerie des Carrosses lies opposite the Palace of Versailles, in the Royal Stables. In the Motorcoach Gallery, you’ll find a large collection of ornate coaches beautifully maintained and stored in 2 immense galleries with spectacular vaulted ceilings. You’ll be dazzled by the sculpting, gilt and painting on the bodywork of these coaches, as well as the elegant and luxurious interiors.

The coaches in this collection were all used in important ceremonies at one time or another, so you’ll see the one used for Napoleon I’s wedding, and another used for Louis XVIII’s funeral. Entry to this gallery is free and you can also pick up free brochures and kids’ activity sheets at the entrance.

Château de la Madeleine is at the southern end of the Yvelines department. This majestic fortress was built between the 11th and 14th centuries, and it sits high on top of a hill, overlooking the charming little town of Chevreuse and the Yvette valley. The views are spectacular and well worth the climb up the hill.

Entrance is free, and you can stroll around the grounds of the castle and visit the dungeon and cellars too. From time to time, you can also see historical re-enactments showcasing medieval life in this region. If you love amazing views, nature and hiking, this is a great spot to visit as the Jean Racine trail will lead you right to the castle.

The Opéra Royal de Versailles is in the northern wing of the Palace of Versailles. This luxurious building is just as impressive as the rest of the palace, with gilt decor throughout the interior and exquisite frescos on the walls and ceiling. Opened in 1770 and restored multiple times since, it’s a prestigious and magnificent venue.

Locals and tourists flock here for over 100 performances every musical season. If you love classical music, opera, plays and ballet, this is a lovely place to indulge in a performance of Molière, Mozart, Monteverdi or Snow White. The Opéra Royal is known for its fantastic acoustics, so you’ll enjoy a great experience wherever you’re seated.