Parc Balbi, French garden in Saint-Louis district, Versailles, France
Parc Balbi is a classified historical monument and park in the Saint-Louis district of Versailles. The roughly 25,000-square-meter space is crossed by a stream leading to a grotto, while the surrounding area is filled with naturally arranged groups of trees creating woodland-like pockets.
The garden was created in 1785 when architect Jean-François-Thérèse Chalgrin designed it for a prominent court figure connected to Versailles. Its original water features remained largely unchanged through time, though public access came only after restoration work completed in 2005.
The park reflects how late 18th-century garden design favored natural arrangements over rigid symmetry, mixing tropical and native trees in flowing patterns. Visitors can see how this approach created spaces that feel less formal and more like wandering through a carefully composed woodland.
The park is located on Rue du Maréchal Joffre and accessible throughout the day with adjusted schedules depending on the season. It is best visited in dry conditions since walking paths wind through green areas, and comfortable footwear is recommended for exploring the ground.
The space remained closed to the public for a long time and has only recently become accessible for regular visits. This long isolation helped preserve the original water systems and grotto in their authentic form.
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