An afternoon in the private estate of Marie Antoinette – the Petit Trianon and hamlet

2 hours

Max 20 people

Versailles, France

About this activity

Discover the enchanting world of Marie Antoinette on this afternoon excursion. Explore the beautiful Petit Trianon, witness the queen's private theatre, and immerse yourself in her charming Normandy village.

Highlights

Explore the exquisite Petit Trianon
Step into Marie Antoinette's private realm
Visit the remarkable Queen's Hamlet
Experience the healthy simplicity of country life
Guided tour led by an expert English-speaking guide

Full description

Treat yourself to an afternoon excursion to the queen’s personal domain. You’ll visit the Petit Trianon, an exquisite private palace set in a luxuriant garden where Marie Antoinette spent much of her time, view her private theatre, one of the most remarkable venues in the entire estate and wander through the queen’s ersatz Normandy village, featuring a vineyard, a dairy, and a vegetable farm, specially built for her to simulate the healthy simplicity of country life.

Over 4 million people annually visit the Palace of Versailles, but for nearly 90% of the visitors the experience is limited to the State Apartments and the distant perspective of the gardens. With your expert and entertaining guide, you have the rare opportunity to really make the period and the personalities come to life by continuing your visit into more exclusive areas. Upon leaving the main palace behind, distance the crowds and access areas reserved for the private lives and loves of the royalty.

With a diamond-encrusted key, Louis XVI offered his wife Marie Antoinette an escape from the ritualized public life she found so suffocating. This key unlocked the small Petit Trianon palace, sheltered from gossip and criticism, where she could feel free. Follow in her footsteps, through her English gardens and into the place she called home. The furniture and decoration authentically represents the queen’s own taste and favored craftsmen. You’ll be able to take a peek at Marie Antoinette’s private theatre, a hidden jewel of Versailles, installed so the queen herself could star in popular plays applauded by her fashionable ladies-in-waiting!

Just down the path from the richly adorned palace, Marie Antoinette commissioned a replica rustic village, evoking Normandy with its thatched cottages and dairy herd. Here she appreciated the informal atmosphere and healthy air, and indulged in pastoral amusements.

Spend an afternoon exploring the private life of Queen Marie-Antoinette. A perfect add on to a visit to the Palace, you will discover both the splendor of court life at Versailles and the private lives of the Royal Family, allowing you to fully understand their lives and ultimate downfall.

Included / Excluded

Guided visit of the Domain of Marie Antoinette, including the Petit Trianon and Queen’s Hamlet
All reservations and entrance tickets
Expert, English-speaking tour guide

Gratuities

Meeting point

Start Location

La Flottille, Versailles, France

Important information

Know before you book

This tour is most suitable for guests who are already visiting the palace of Versailles in the morning or who have visited previously

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity starts

Up to 24 hours before the beginning of the activity: full refund Less than 24 hours before the beginning of the activity or no-show: no refund

Reviews

4.8(2,267 reviews)

Zechariah

Jul 2026

5.0

Mekal (wrong spelling I’m sure) was very educated and you could tell her passion for the city and its beauty

Olga

Jul 2026

1.0

Our tour guide, Orsay, was very kind and informative, however we unfortunately did not enjoy the tour because of the terrible quality of the microphone/headphones. They need to update their technology because we did not understand anything she was saying. The sound quality was just horrible. This wasn’t just an issue with one person, as all 3 people experienced it. I’m very sorry to leave a poor review but I cannot recommend this company unless they update their audio tech soon.

Sam

Jul 2026

1.0

Very disappointed. I booked in advance however selected the wrong date in error. There was no consideration whatsoever to rebook or get a refund. I guess it's all about the money and not for the customer. Having a wonderful experience exploring others parts of Paris