These gardens, covering some 800 hectares, are an example of the French formal garden, designed by André Le Nôtre. The gardens are managed by the Public Establishment of the Palace, Museum and National Estate of Versailles, under the French Ministry of Culture, and are one of the most visited tourist destinations in France, attracting more than six million visitors a year. They are decorated with lawns, flowerbeds, sculptures and numerous fountains dating from the time of Louis XIV, and still use the original hydraulic network of the Ancien Régime. From late spring to early autumn, the Great Waters are held, shows that activate all the fountains in the gardens.

The Grand Canal, designed by Le Nôtre, is a masterpiece of these gardens, while the Grand Trianon and Petit Trianon add a touch of royal retreat. In 1979, both the gardens and the castle were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

In 1632, Louis XIII acquired the land and began construction of the gardens on the western side of the palace. The first designs, attributed to Claude Mollet and Hilaire Masson, remained almost unchanged until the 1660s, when the king ordered their expansion. After the fall of Nicolas Fouquet in 1661, Louis XIV focused on transforming Versailles with the help of Louis Le Vau, Charles Le Brun and André Le Nôtre. During his reign, the gardens expanded parallel to the palace, with careful guidelines from the Sun King. Between 1664 and 1668, significant work was done on fountains and woodlands, incorporating solar and Apollonian themes into the design.

The Grand Canal and the Petite Venice were also built in this period, serving both festive events and practical functions. In the third stage, led by Jules Hardouin-Mansart, architectural elements such as the Parterre d'Eau and the Colonnade were introduced, while the Grotte de Thetis was demolished to make way for new construction. Reforestation was a constant due to storms and changes in style over the centuries, with notable efforts in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries to maintain and restore these historic gardens.

Louis XV, more interested in botany, focused his attention on the Trianon, while Louis XVI pushed for massive replanting following Rousseau's ideas, although the original style was eventually maintained. During the French Revolution, trees were cut down and parts of the Grand Parc were parcelled out, but the gardens were saved thanks to the efforts of Louis Claude Marie Richard. During the Napoleonic era, the gardens did not undergo major changes, except for some necessary felling and planting. With the Bourbon Restoration and the July Monarchy, the gardens were partially transformed into English style, although many parts remained intact. Pierre de Nolhac, in the late 19th century, initiated an era of historical research and restoration that continues to this day. In short, the Gardens of Versailles are not only a testimony to the magnificence of French landscape art, but also a reflection of the historical and cultural evolution of France over several centuries.