Are picnics allowed on the grounds of Versailles? If so, where would you recommend the best spot would be for a nice picnic w/ DH?

Yes. A nice spot is on the grassy verge near the Apollo foundain.

I've read that the grass is off-limits but I've <i>seen</i> plenty of people lying on it...

Could you bring your own food and wine to the picnic, or would you have to buy it there?

I would contact the chateau directly. Here is their customer service e-mail address: [email protected]

You might want to get the info right form the source about what is and is not allowed so you are not disappointed that you brought a picnic and couldn't eat it on the grounds, or didn't bring one only to find out that you could have!

We went to Versailles in September (on a Wednesday)to rent bikes and ride around the canal. Before we did that, we ate a baguette sandwich while sitting on the grass by the Grand Canal (across from the cafe/restaurant).

There were <i>many</i> families, children, strollers, blankets, and picnics going on while we ate and rested. I could hear French being spoken, and some of the children were delightfully dressed. People chose spots all over the grassy bank between the canal edge to the dirt road heading to the back of the estate. No one was around to suggest they do otherwise.

Enjoy your picnic.