Secrets of Versailles: The King’s Kitchen Garden

Author: Kathy Morton

On your next visit to Versailles, don’t miss “the King’s vegetable garden” where you’ll discover the genius of the King’s gardener, Jean-Baptiste La Quintinie, which built walls and terraces allowing a microclimate to develop, so that over 300 varieties of fruits and vegetables could grow out of season !!

“A good gardener must have passion for new discoveries”
~Jean-Baptiste de La Quintinie, 1690
The King’s Main Gardener

1 – The Vegetable Garden of Versailles

Near the grand palace of Versailles, a fine mist rises from small mounds of black earth in a walled garden. Manicured, military-style straight rows stretch out from the pebbled pathway.

Three young gardeners dig their trowels deep into the narrow ditch, preparing the soil before planting asparagus, a favorite of the King.

The gardeners seem oblivious to the splendor of the Palace of Versailles in the background. Just like their counterparts before them, who worked for the King, their focus is on nurturing the plants rather than dealing with maddening crowds swirling around the palace.

learn french versailles

2 – A Secret in Versailles

Millions of people visit the Palace of Versailles, but not many take a side step into Le Potager du Roi, the restored Kitchen Garden of the King, hidden adjacent to the palace.

In the 17th century, Jean-Baptiste La Quintinie, was hired as the gardener for King Louis XIV. His genius in building walls and terraces allowed a microclimate to develop, so that over 300 varieties of fruits and vegetables could grow out of season.

In addition to out-of-season asparagus, the King delighted in figs growing from mid-June to the end of October, strawberries in March and peas in April!

learn french versailles

The restored garden, open to the public since 1991, is exactly as Louis XIV would have known it. A team of gardeners harvests over 80 tons of fruits and vegetables each year.

Nine hectares (around 22 acres) of terraced garden squares separated by low walls create a beautiful garden. Le Potager du Roi features La Quintinie’s unknown garden artistry of sculpted and espaliered fruit trees.

Next time you find yourself in Versailles…take time to visit this remarkable kitchen garden, watch the gardeners at work and taste some of the fresh produce and juices for yourself in the nearby store!

À Moi Paris Audiobook Method

A new approach to learning both traditional and modern French logically structured for English speakers.

(836 Reviews)

More Details & Audio Samples

3 – Practical Info About The King’s Kitchen Garden in Versailles

For more information about the King’s Kitchen Garden visit:  www.potager-du-roi.fr  (in French)

Le Potager du Roi
ENSP 10, rue du Marechal Joffre
78000 Versailles
Phone:  +33 1 39 24 62 62

And for more info about Versailles, read Camille’s tips about Versailles’ Castle and Estate

Author: Kathy Morton

Kathy Morton

While Camille patiently shares secrets of French lessons with me, I passionately travel to France whenever I can to enjoy the cuisine, culture, people and no surprise - the wine. I'm a Certified France Specialist and retired professor who now designs culinary tours (www.tourdeforks.com) in my favorite country. I live in North Carolina, but my spiritual homeland is France!

More Articles from Kathy Morton

Comments

Leave a Comment

DOWNLOAD YOUR FRENCH AUDIOBOOK
🎁 2.5 Hours French Audiobook - 100% Free / Keep Forever 🎁

Recorded at 3 different speeds + Study Guide + Q&A + Full Transcript

Item added to cart.
0 items - US$0.00

Can You Understand Today’s Spoken French?

It’s not just slang. The French everybody speaks in France today is NOT the overly enunciated, extremely formal French usually taught to foreigners.

TAKE YOUR FREE AUDIO TEST NOW