The Petit Trianon is a small neoclassical house on the Versailles estate, a short walk from the Grand Trianon. Louis XV had it commissioned, and Louis XVI later gave it to Marie Antoinette, who used it as a retreat from court life. Compared with the main palace, it feels modest and calm. Its private rooms show how the queen lived, and the English-style gardens she redesigned have winding paths, a grotto and the Temple of Love. The Queen's Hamlet lies nearby. Plan for walking, since the estate is large, and combine the visit with the Grand Trianon.
A small house built for a royal mistress
The Petit Trianon stands on the grounds of Versailles, a short walk from the Grand Trianon. Its name means little Trianon. Louis XV had it commissioned, and the architect Ange-Jacques Gabriel designed it in the neoclassical style, a shift from the Baroque forms of the main palace.
Louis XV meant the house for Madame de Pompadour, but she died before she could enjoy it. Louis XVI later gave the house to his wife, Marie Antoinette, shortly after their marriage, and she made it her own retreat from court life.
Marie Antoinette's gardens
Marie Antoinette redesigned the gardens in an English style, with winding paths, lawns and small buildings set among trees. Along the way you pass a grotto, the Temple of Love, which has a statue of Cupid, and the Belvedere, which the queen used as a music room.
Behind the house is the Queen's Hamlet, a village she had built around a farm, a mill, a working dairy and cottages. It is a fairytale setting that shows the rustic side of her taste.
Inside the house
The rooms include the queen's private bedroom, a courtyard and several rooms used for entertaining. The furnishings are elegant but not grand, and the paintings include scenes of Marie Antoinette with her sisters and children.
The queen hosted lavish events for close friends here, away from the formal rules of the court.
Planning the walk
The estate is large, and the walk from the palace to the Petit Trianon takes about 25 minutes. A mini train runs between the estates for a small fee, which helps if you have already covered a lot of ground.
Access to the house has at times been routed through the Grand Trianon, so check the route before you set off. The Grand Trianon, the Queen's Hamlet and the gardens make a full day when combined with the palace.
Häufige Fragen
Is it worth visiting the Petit Trianon on its own?
It is most rewarding as part of a full day at Versailles, combined with the Grand Trianon and the Queen's Hamlet. The walk from the palace is long, so plan the trip around the whole estate.
Do I need to book tickets in advance?
Advance tickets are recommended for this site.
How far is the Petit Trianon from the palace?
The walk from the palace takes about 25 minutes. A mini train runs between the Trianon estates for a small fee.
Is the Petit Trianon wheelchair accessible?
The entrance and the parking lot are wheelchair accessible. The estate covers a lot of ground, so plan for walking between the buildings.
