Parc Balbi, French garden in Saint-Louis district, Versailles, France
The 25,000-square-meter park contains a river, a belvedere, and an extensive grotto surrounded by natural English-style garden formations.
The park was created in 1785 by architect Jean-François-Thérèse Chalgrin for the Countess of Balbi, mistress of the Count of Provence, brother of Louis XVI.
The garden represents late 18th-century landscape design with its collection of tropical trees, maple trees, and ash trees arranged in naturalistic patterns.
Located at 12 Rue du Maréchal Joffre, the park opens from 9 AM to 6 PM during winter months and extends to 9 PM in summer.
The park maintains its original water features, including a stream system and grotto, which underwent restoration and opened to the public in 2005.
Location: Versailles
Inception: 1785
Part of: Palace and Park of Versailles
Address: 6 rue Hardy
GPS coordinates: 48.79700,2.11960
Latest update: June 23, 2025 09:47
The Versailles region and its surroundings feature a notable collection of historic sites, museums, and landscaped areas that showcase centuries of French history. Beyond the famous chateau, visitors can explore sites like the Queen's Hameau in the Versailles park, a rustic retreat of Marie Antoinette, or the Château de Malmaison, which preserves furnishings and decor from the First Empire. The Napoléon III Apartments at the Louvre demonstrate the splendor of the Second Empire, while the Domaine de Marly-le-Roi reflects the grandeur of Louis XIV's reign. Local museums host diverse collections, from Rodin's sculptures displayed in his former private residence to Maurice Denis's symbolist works at the Saint-Germain-en-Laye Priory. The Gustave Moreau Museum holds over 1,300 paintings and 5,000 drawings in the artist's former home. Gardens are also a major draw: Sceaux Park stretches over a mile with 17th-century geometric pathways, while Albert Kahn Gardens offer a journey through Japanese, French, and English landscape styles. These sites allow visitors to explore French cultural history through architecture, decorative arts, and garden art.
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