On the westerly edge of Paris, the departement of Yvelines is probably the most popular day trip for tourists to take from centre of the capital, for one reason; Versailles. The opulent royal palace and its gardens are visited by hundreds of thousands of people every year, but many see no more of Yvelines than the drive to the palace. There are lots of places around Versailles and further afield that are worth exploring if you have the chance, and they're all easily reached, thanks to the excellent public transport network in the suburbs of Paris.
The 17th century Palace of Versailles is undoubtedly one of the most elegant buildings in France, if not in Europe. With over 700 rooms, a tour of Versailles could take days, but the guides have selected the best rooms for visitors, including those with the most famous works of art, the most priceless furniture and the most interesting historical stories! The Hall of Mirrors is the highlight of a tour that will have you open-mouthed with awe all the way round; the Hall is all the more impressive when you realise how expensive mirrors were in the 17th century. The gardens and grounds are another big attraction, including huge flowerbeds, fountains, statues and a boating lake that you can take rowing boats out on yourself and imagine yourself in the days of Marie Antoinette.
If the children have behaved themselves on the long tour round Versailles, then you could always reward them with a trip to one of Yvelines' popular family attractions. France Miniature is an open air park with miniature versions of some of the most famous monuments and buildings in the country. Further west is the Thoiry Park, situated in the grounds of a Renaissance chateau. The park has been turned into an animal park, where over 130 different species of animals live in a safari-style environment. You can walk round this park, however, as there are fences and cages to keep you safe! Enjoy walking round the beautiful grounds while keeping an eye out for the 1000 creatures roaming the area.
There are plenty of other areas in Yvelines where you can escape the hustle and bustle of Paris and enjoy a peaceful stroll in the country. Many of the castles in this region have their own extensive grounds, if you like organised gardens, or there is the Rambouillet forest in the south. This large forest is crossed with paths that are frequently used by walker, cyclists and joggers. Venture into the heart of the woods, and you will come to specially designed observation points for watching the natural deer population.
Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in Yvelines? Then below is a selection of gites in Yvelines and villas in Yvelines that can be rented direct from their owners. You can either click on each listing for further details or you can use our search engine on the left if you are looking for something in particular.
