Best things to do in Yvelines

Considered the most illustrious and opulent castle in all of France, Palace of Versailles exemplifies the most beautiful achievements of French art in the 18th century. This former seat of royal power now chronicles the country's past as a museum of the history of France. On your exploration of the numerous buildings, be sure to see the the lavish Hall of Mirrors, the Queen’s bedchamber, the ecclesiastical chapels, and the King's Grand Apartments. If you love books, don’t miss the library, with its delicately carved wooden and stone panels. In the Clock Room, admire the famous astronomical clock encased in bronze. Arrive as early as possible to avoid long entrance lines. Even with advanced tickets, you'll have to wait your turn at the security checkpoint. Alternatively, book a local guide service to bring you to the château and skip the long lines altogether.

Take a peek into Marie Antoinette’s favorite places to get away from the pomp of Versailles at The Trianons & The Hamlet. Walk across the gardens or ride the petit train to reach the Grand Trianon decked out in pink marble. The Petit Trianon and the surrounding park reflect the queen's eclectic, free-thinking nature through their rural, rustic surroundings. Inside The Petit Trianon, see her modest bedchamber and simple furnishings. At Le Hameau (Hamlet), survey the ill-fated queen's retreat overlooking Grand Trianon Lake, where the environment stands in stark contrast to the formal gardens at Versailles.

See a lot of France in one spot with a visit to France Miniature. This theme park features more than 150 authentic, detailed French monuments--from the Eiffel Tower to the port at Marseille--at one-thirtieth of their actual size. When you finished with the tiny tour, you can explore a variety of rides.

Parc Zoologique et Chateau de Thoiry blends a castle, zoo, and botanical garden. The castle itself was originally designed as a solar calendar, with the garden walkways as the hands. Built according to the golden ratio, the castle's design is in harmony with the solar cycles. Outside, you can explore the gardens, which have been fashioned by famous landscapers for centuries, marking the styles of their respective eras. Beech, oak, hornbeam, and chestnut trees all shade the property. The safari park, which must be visited from inside your vehicle, houses about 800 free-roaming exotic animals. Parts of the zoo and botanical gardens have been made accessible by foot. There’s a Komodo dragon exhibit and a lion exhibit, where you can walk among the felines inside a glass tunnel. The Mysterious Island offers an adventure trail on suspended bridges.

In the gardens of Versailles, Grand Canal forms part of a grandiose cross oriented to reflect the setting sun. The cross-shaped body of water creates a long perimeter of 5.5 km (3.4 mi). Louis XIV used to hold boating parties here, and now you can rent a boat to paddle yourself, or hire a guide to row for you.

Temple de l'Amour was built in 1778 in the middle of a small island. In the center of this circular temple is a replica Bouchardon statue, the original of which is in the Louvre. It is an especially popular site for couples, who often enjoy sharing a kiss at the center of the temple.