Versailles: Lunch in the Gardens?
 

What are the options? And are they good?

Thanks,
Dina

Hi Dina,

Just got back from France, where we did visit Versailles. We ate lunch at the restaurant La Flottile in the Parc du Chateau de Versailles and I enjoyed it. It was a cold and rainy day so I had a nice bowl of onion soup and salad.

If you're going in warm weather, the restaurant will be a perfect place to unwind after touring the chateau -- lots of outdoor seating.

Enjoy!

Thanks, Marcee!

That sounds lovely. How were the prices?

Moderate prices and moderate food as well. There are not many eating options at Versailles: a few snack bars at the palace and in the gardens, and one prominently placed restaurant. In the city (which you pass through while walking from the train to the palace), there are many different places to eat.

Is picnicking still allowed?

((I))

Well, Ira, I was imagining how lovely a picnic would be, so I thought that might be an option, but no one seems to have mentioned that.

Has anyone had a picnic in the gardens?

Thanks,
Dina

Yes; eating down around the Apollo Fountain on the grass is particularly pleasant.

ttt

One day in summer I saw some school children eating their lunch in the Garden but they were sitting on the gravel.

We have eaten twice at a small snack shop or cafe in the gardens. Don't know the name but as you walk down the steps from the Chateau towards the pond, it is on the left side at least about 1/3 way down to the fountain in the "bushes"(garden). It is casual, not that expensive, and in a very nice setting. We had some rather decent food there. Look on a map; I'm sure it is marked.

There is also a restaurant further down, right-hand side, just past the fountain but have never eaten there.

That should be look on a map of the grounds. They hand them out as you walk in.

Well, there are several fountains. I am referring to the last one before the "pond".(lake actually)

Yes, a picnic on the grass was sort of what I imagined. But bringing picnic food from Paris, then holding it during the chateau visit (which we will do first) might be a pain.

Underhill,
did you bring your own food or pick up picnic food there?
(we must have posted at the same time yesterday, and I didn't see it)

Ronda,
Thanks for the tips. I will check out a map.

Dina

Here is the website for Versailles:

http://www.chateauversailles.fr/fr/1...Versailles.php

Under Préparez votre visite select services, scroll down to No. 6 and you will see several eating selections including the garden area I described. No. 7 shows a restaurant and even a web page where you can see the menu.

Hope you see this, Dina.

Ronda,
Thanks! I checked out the website laflotille.fr
It looks like a good spot.
Dina

Should have thought to have you check the viamichelin.com website. Try this link for a map of the City of Versailles, and listing of restaurants:

http://www.viamichelin.com/viamichel...roductId=41102

If that doesn't work, go to www.viamichelin.com Under maps put in Versailles, France. It asked me to choose between 2 locations; choose 78000 location. A map of Versailles pops up. You can increase the size by using the magnifier toolbar on the left. Under "Useful Addresses Nearby" on the right, select Michelin Guides, Restaurants. It will give you a list and also put a numbered dot on the map where the restaurant is.

If you want to use the Michelin Red Guide, Versailles is in teh Paris and Environs section. It has a very nice map as well.

Unfortunately, the restaurants at the Chateau are not listed.

Wow, Ronda.
I had used that website often for driving directions, but never realized you could do a restaurant search! I love it!
(the long url worked!)
Thank you so much for taking the time to explain that to me. I really appreciate it!
Dina

I like it because the restaurant information is in English unlike the Michelin Red Guide. If I look up a restaurant in the Red Guide and don't totally understand the hours, days open, I look it up on the viamichelin.com site. Sometimes it helps, sometimes it doesn't. lol

Have you opened an account on viamichelin.com? If you do, you can save the maps you look up into your folder so each time you don't have to re-enter the information when you want to look at a map a second time.

Look at the menu on top of the home page and you will see My ViaMichelin. I believe that is where you register - I am permanently registered on my computer so don't want to sign out (I'll have to remember my password).

I'm sure you noticed under the guides that it also has hotels.

If you don't mind paying a little more for high quality French food, there is a wonderful little restaurant called La Terrasse, just near the gardens. I am a student studying in Versailles this year and was surprised to see people saying there were not many places to eat in Versailles, this is not true. La Terrasse is located near the St. Louis cathedral at 11 rue Saint Honore. This restaurant is particularly interesting because not only does it offer excuisite cuisine from the south west of France the chef himself greets you at the door, takes your order, and brings you the food himself. This concept restaurant is competely unique and I recommend that anybody in Versailles take the chance to experience it!

If you don't mind paying a little more for high quality French food, there is a wonderful little restaurant called La Terrasse, just near the gardens. I am a student studying in Versailles this year and was surprised to see people saying there were not many places to eat in Versailles, this is not true. La Terrasse is located near the St. Louis cathedral at 11 rue Saint Honore. This restaurant is particularly interesting because not only does it offer excuisite cuisine from the south west of France the chef himself greets you at the door, takes your order, and brings you the food himself. This concept restaurant is competely unique and I recommend that anybody in Versailles take the chance to experience it! You can check out their website at http://laterrasse.free.fr