Grand Canal, Versailles: How to Visit and What to Do Nearby

The Grand Canal at Versailles extends 1,670 meters from the western terrace of the palace gardens, forming a cruciform waterway with a 1,070-meter transverse arm. Louis XIV commissioned the canal in 1668 to drain the marshy terrain and to create a reflective surface that catches the setting sun when viewed from the Hall of Mirrors. The canal once held a fleet of Venetian gondolas and scaled warships for royal entertainment. Rowboats and small electric boats are available for rental at the canal's eastern head, and the surrounding paths are popular for cycling. is just one of many options in Versailles. Major attractions worth considering include Marie-Antoinette's Estate, Royal Opera of Versailles (L'Opéra Royal du Château de Versailles), and Versailles Royal Chapel (La Chapelle Royale).