Stepping into Versailles is like stepping into a history book—one filled with opulence and grandeur.

As our tour began inside the palace, I couldn’t help but glance longingly out the windows, only to be met with the disappointing sight of bare soil where vibrant tulips had recently been yanked out. And their summer replacements? Nowhere in sight. Womp, womp. While the interiors were undeniably fascinating, I was itching to get outside. After all, the gardens were really what I came for.

Once my mom and I finally made it past the lavish rooms and velvet ropes (Side quest: The portrait of Marie Antoinette was painted by none other than Elisabeth Lousie Visgee Le Brun. Side quest objective- to find as many female painter’s works on display throughout Paris), we hit the grounds, ready to explore. From the back of the main house, we made our way into the formal gardens, allee's lined with white marble statues pointing the way. Allees on Allees on Allees

(Note: even the royal lawn has dandelions and that its doesn’t take away from the awe:)

In the distance we could hear music and realized that they had turned on a fountain nearby. Following the commotion, it was easy to find our way through the formal labyrinth. The fountain timed to music was mesmerizing, and I kid you not a baby storm cloud swooped in for dramatic effect.

The sheer scale of Versailles’ gardens is impossible to overstate. This isn’t just a backyard—it’s an entire kingdom of hedges, pathways, and water features designed with precision that only 17th-century royalty could demand. But what really stole the show for me wasn’t the perfectly clipped parterres or the miles of symmetry. It was Marie Antoinette’s fake countryside. Yep, the Queen’s Hamlet—a completely artificial but entirely charming little village—was where we stumbled upon some of the most impressive plants of the day. Exhibit A: The largest Spirea I have ever seen in my life. I mean, ever. Mom for scale. And then, as if Versailles wasn’t already full of surprises, I spotted what I believe to be a yellow wisteria—a color variation you don’t often see.

Above, the tree in bloom is a mature Buckeye (Aesculus glabra). I hadn’t noticed I was feeling homesick, but seeing this tree made me feel proud- that is one good looking Buckeye.

From there, we made our way the estate’s “summer homes” (basically a mini yet still grande version of the OG palace with better natural A/C). Again there were allees on allees on allees, but this time more like allees with windows. Utter madness. We stumbled upon an amphitheater with intricate stonework that felt like an architectural gem hidden in plain sight. It was an unexpected highlight—one of those discoveries that remind you why it’s worth veering off the main paths.

As we worked our way back toward the main house, we came across a breathtaking garden framed by white redbuds (Cercis canadensis 'Alba'). It was the perfect, serene ending to our adventure through Versailles. For a landscape designer like me, this was a major bucket list checkmark. Even with the missing seasonal color beds, Versailles delivered an experience that was both grand and deeply inspiring.