Versailles Gardens and Cloisters

If there’s one place in the Bahamas that combines Old World refinement with New World beauty, it’s the Versailles Gardens and French Cloister. Featuring the remains of a 13th-Century French monastery along with lush and verdant gardens, the site is one of the prettiest in the Nassau area.

While natural beauty abounds in Nassau, there’s one location that combines the striking scenery of the Bahamas with Old World charm: the Versailles Gardens and French Cloister. With a medieval-era monastery juxtaposed with a garden of tropical foliage, planning a visit to the Cloisters Nassau is never a bad idea. 

Versailles Gardens and French Cloister, Four Seasons Ocean Club

Cloisters Paradise Island: A History

Like Paradise Island itself, the Versailles Gardens and French Cloister have a story in the Bahamas that stretches back to the 1960s. During that decade, A&P Supermarket heir Huntington Hartford purchased the entirety of the island. Previously known as Hog Island, he renamed it to Paradise Island and began developing it.

After switching hands many times, Hartford acquired the ruins of a 13th-Century French monastery in 1961 and used them as part of his “beautification” project on the island. He also worked with a team of architects to have them reconstruct the pieces into the structure they are today.

The Versailles Garden and French Cloister arrived in the Bahamas in the mid-20th Century.

Since arriving at Paradise Island, the Versailles Gardens and French Cloister have seen a number of notable faces visit the area, including Frank Sinatra, Cindy Crawford, Sean Connery, Daniel Craig, and others. 

What to See

The Cloisters

Offering up some of the prettiest views in the Nassau area, the Cloisters Paradise Island are stunning, to say the least. While the ruins would be beautiful if they were disconnected from one another, the fact that an architect rebuilt them adds to their appeal. 

From the views of the water visible through the cloisters to the Old World architecture itself, you’ll want to ensure that you have a quality camera on hand. Odds are you’ll want to snap quite a few pictures as you explore the area, especially given the historical and cultural impact it has had on Paradise Island. 

The Gardens

Besides appreciating the Cloisters Paradise Island, you’ll want to do the same for the Versailles Garden Bahamas, as they’re equally stunning. 

You’ll see statues and other pieces of history at the Four Seasons Ocean Club gardens.

The Four Seasons Ocean Club does an exceptional job at landscaping, and the gardens epitomize the work the resort has put into beautifying its property. As you stroll amongst the gardens, you’ll see expansive lawns, manicured hedges, colorful flowers, and more statues and historical artifacts. 

Given how beautiful the gardens are, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that couples often use the destination as a wedding venue. While the ceremony might cost as much as a house in some parts of the United States, you can be certain that the views will be unbeatable! 

Getting in

You’ll need to stay at the Four Seasons Ocean Club to walk in the gardens.

Guests staying at the Four Seasons Ocean Club can enjoy unrestricted access to the Versailles Gardens and French Cloister. You’ll be able to walk amongst the gardens and appreciate the foliage, ruins, and other attractions present. 

If you’re not staying at the resort, you can still catch a glimpse of the Cloisters Paradise Island from the road. However, unless you’re lucky, you won’t be able to get up close to them as guards will keep you out of the area. 

Getting Around

Many guests staying at the Four Seasons Ocean Club don’t realize how expansive the resort is until they’re on-site. But while the Versailles Garden Bahamas themselves might not be huge, the surrounding area is. 

The resort sprawls across 35 acres.

Right next to the Versailles Gardens and French Cloister, you’ll find one of the resort’s many beautiful swimming pools. Likewise, Cabbage Beach is just a short walk away, as are other resort amenities, like Dune, the beachside restaurant and bar. 

If you’re staying at another property or are just in Nassau for the day, remember that any guards you run into will try and usher you off of the resort, as it’s all private property. 

Our Travel Guide Suggests… 

While amenities like the Versailles Gardens and French Cloister may be private property, Nassau beaches are not. Cabbage Beach is arguably the most beautiful beach in Nassau, so don’t think that just because the Four Seasons Ocean Club borders part of it, you’re not able to visit.

In fact, the beachfront area that borders the resort is one of the best places to enjoy the beach since the crowds are sparser! 

Nearby Cabbage Beach is one of the prettiest in the Bahamas.

Versailles Garden Bahamas: Take a Walk Through Paradise 

The Versailles Gardens and French Cloister combine everything from old-world architecture to new-world foliage. Whether you’re staying at the Four Seasons Ocean Club or somewhere else on the island, you’ll want to give yourself enough time to see the Cloisters Nassau.

After exploring the attraction, you’ll be in the perfect position to tour some other top Nassau highlights. Atlantis is close to the Four Seasons Ocean Club, which features aquariums, Aquaventure Waterpark, and more. You’ll also want to save time for stunning Cabbage Beach. 

Looking to learn more about the Nassau area? Check out our other travel guides and browse our interactive Nassau map for all of the top tips.