Travel back in time and, kilometre after kilometre, learn all about Louis XIV, from his birth to his death. The distance may vary slightly, depending on whether the Parc du Château de Versailles is open or closed.
Departure point
Start at Place du Château Saint-Germain, outside the gates to the Domaine National.
Stage 1 - Hôtel de Ville
Take Rue de la Surintendance on your right, then turn left onto Rue de Pontoise to go round the Hôtel de Ville.
Stage 2 - Eglise Saint-Germain
Turn left again onto Rue de la Paroisse, then at Place Charles de Gaulle, pass in front of Saint-Germain church, before joining Rue Saint-Louis.
Stage 3 - Parc du Chenil
At the roundabout, take the second exit, Avenue Jean Béranger, and go alongside Parc du Chenil.
Stage 4 - Parc de Marly
At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit on the left, then turn right at the end of the avenue onto Avenue des Combattants, to reach Parc de Marly.
Stage 5 - Tourist Information Office
Pass in front of Marly-le-Roi TIO and continue on Route de Saint-Cyr, passing in front of Saint-Vigor church.
Stage 6 - Forêt de Marly
Continue on Rue Georges Tattevin, then again on Route de Saint-Cyr for 4 km through Marly forest.
Stage 7 - Fort du Trou D'Enfer
Pass close to Fort du Trou d'Enfer.
Stage 8 - Ceuillette de Gally
Pass close to the Ceuillette de Gally, a 60-hectare fruit and vegetable farm which operates with the Fermes de Gally network established in Saint-Cyr as well as in Sartrouville.
Stage 9a - Parc du Château de Versailles
If the palace gardens are open, take the path on your left after passing Cueillette de Gally and enter the park via Allée de Bailly. Continue to the Grand Canal and go round it to exit the park on Allée des Matelots.
Stage 9b - Dr Vaillant
If the palace gardens are closed, go straight ahead on Rue du Dr Vaillant.
Stage 10 - Versailles Tourist Office
Continue on the D10 road on your right and pass in front of the tourist office. Then turn right and continue straight on until you reach the statue at Place Hoche. Turn right onto Rue des Réservoirs before reaching the palace.
Stage 11 - Musée Promenade Marly-le-Roi/Louveciennes
At Rond-point du Musée Promenade, take the 2nd roundabout exit and go alongside Parc de Marly as far as the watering pond. Take Avenue Jean Béranger and then go back the way you came, as far as Saint-Germain.
Start at Place du Château Saint-Germain, outside the gates to the Domaine National.
Stage 1 - Hôtel de Ville
Take Rue de la Surintendance on your right, then turn left onto Rue de Pontoise to go round the Hôtel de Ville.
Stage 2 - Eglise Saint-Germain
Turn left again onto Rue de la Paroisse, then at Place Charles de Gaulle, pass in front of Saint-Germain church, before joining Rue Saint-Louis.
Stage 3 - Parc du Chenil
At the roundabout, take the second exit, Avenue Jean Béranger, and go alongside Parc du Chenil.
Stage 4 - Parc de Marly
At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit on the left, then turn right at the end of the avenue onto Avenue des Combattants, to reach Parc de Marly.
Stage 5 - Tourist Information Office
Pass in front of Marly-le-Roi TIO and continue on Route de Saint-Cyr, passing in front of Saint-Vigor church.
Stage 6 - Forêt de Marly
Continue on Rue Georges Tattevin, then again on Route de Saint-Cyr for 4 km through Marly forest.
Stage 7 - Fort du Trou D'Enfer
Pass close to Fort du Trou d'Enfer.
Stage 8 - Ceuillette de Gally
Pass close to the Ceuillette de Gally, a 60-hectare fruit and vegetable farm which operates with the Fermes de Gally network established in Saint-Cyr as well as in Sartrouville.
Stage 9a - Parc du Château de Versailles
If the palace gardens are open, take the path on your left after passing Cueillette de Gally and enter the park via Allée de Bailly. Continue to the Grand Canal and go round it to exit the park on Allée des Matelots.
Stage 9b - Dr Vaillant
If the palace gardens are closed, go straight ahead on Rue du Dr Vaillant.
Stage 10 - Versailles Tourist Office
Continue on the D10 road on your right and pass in front of the tourist office. Then turn right and continue straight on until you reach the statue at Place Hoche. Turn right onto Rue des Réservoirs before reaching the palace.
Stage 11 - Musée Promenade Marly-le-Roi/Louveciennes
At Rond-point du Musée Promenade, take the 2nd roundabout exit and go alongside Parc de Marly as far as the watering pond. Take Avenue Jean Béranger and then go back the way you came, as far as Saint-Germain.
