Versailles Gardens and French Cloisters

Visiting the Versailles Gardens and French Cloisters at The Ocean Club is a journey into a tranquil oasis where timeless European elegance meets the tropical paradise of Paradise Island. Explore meticulously landscaped gardens and ancient monastery cloisters.

The Versailles Gardens Bahamas and Cloisters Paradise Island offer travelers some of the prettiest views in the Nassau area. Housing lush and verdant gardens along with the remains of a 13th-Century French monastery, no visit to Paradise Island is complete without a tour of the Cloisters Nassau.

Versailles Gardens Bahamas: See the Cloisters Paradise Island

The Versailles Garden and French Cloister mix perfectly with their tropical surroundings

Cloisters Nassau: How to Visit

In general, you’ll need to be a guest at the Ocean Club Bahamas to walk amongst the Versailles Gardens Bahamas. There’s usually a security guard patrolling the area, and if you try entering, they will stop you and tell you that the area is private property. Travelers staying at the resort will have no problems touring the site.

If you’re not staying at the Ocean Club Bahamas, you can still see the Versailles Gardens Bahamas and Cloisters Paradise Island from the road. You just won’t be able to get up close to them.

Travelers looking to reach the site can take a taxi from Downtown Nassau. You can also look into taking the Nassau to Paradise Island ferry, which offers service on a half-hour schedule throughout the morning and afternoon.

The Cloisters Paradise Island are home to many stunning sites.

Versailles Gardens and French Cloister: Where Is It?

The Versailles Gardens and French Cloister are part of the Ocean Club Bahamas on Paradise Island. Originally known as Hog Island, the island has become the resort island of the Bahamas. Today, it’s home to the Four Seasons resort, Atlantis, and other famous properties.

In addition to the resort, Paradise Island is also where you can find Cabbage Beach. Considered by many to be one of the top beaches in the country, it’s worth a visit if you’re looking for picturesque views and a more tranquil atmosphere than that found at Junkanoo Beach.

Staying at the Ocean Club Bahamas lets you walk amongst the Cloisters.

What to See and Do at the Cloisters Paradise Island

Provided you have access to the area, you can tour the Versailles Gardens Bahamas in around 30 minutes. However, every minute of that experience will feature culture, history, and beauty.

Walk Amongst the Gardens

One thing you’ll quickly notice at the Four Seasons is the level of effort the resort puts into landscaping its property. With manicured hedges, tropical flowers, expansive lawns, and statues and other artifacts abound, you’ll see beautiful views everywhere you look as you stroll amongst the gardens.

As you walk through them, you’ll see many people snapping pictures – you’ll also want to do the same. Depending on when you visit, you might also see a couple getting married!

The Versailles Gardens and French Cloister are set on a stunning oceanfront property.

See the Cloisters Paradise Island

In the mid-20th century, American businessman Huntington Hartford II purchased the property and embarked on a grand vision to create a Bahamian homage to France’s Palace of Versailles. This vision led to the importation of 14th-century French Augustinian monastery cloisters and 12th-century sculptures representing the senses, which form the heart of the Cloisters.

The lush Versailles Gardens, with their terraced lawns, fountains, and vibrant flora, were meticulously landscaped to complement the imported architecture. The Ocean Club resort opened in the 1960s, attracting the affluent and famous.

Despite changing ownership, the Cloisters and gardens have been preserved and restored by Four Seasons, making them a cultural and tourist attraction, blending European elegance with tropical allure—a testament to the vision and enduring beauty of their creator, Huntington Hartford II.

Since their arrival, they’ve welcomed famous guests like Frank Sinatra and Daniel Craig. Today, despite a collector having transplanted them to the Bahamas, they look as if they’ve sat on Paradise Island since their creation.

The Ocean Club is a 5-star Four Seasons Resort on Paradise Island and filming location of James Bond Casino Royale

Ocean Club Bahamas, a Four Seasons Resort

The Ocean Club, located on Paradise Island in Nassau, is an opulent and iconic resort that epitomizes luxury in the Bahamas. This Four Seasons property offers discerning travelers an exquisite tropical escape.

Accommodations encompass elegant rooms, lavish suites, and exclusive villas, many affording breathtaking ocean views. The resort boasts world-class amenities, including a championship golf course, tennis courts, rejuvenating spa, and multiple dining options ranging from fine to casual cuisine. The Ocean Club’s impeccable service, coupled with its exquisite natural beauty, makes it a haven for relaxation, romance, and special events.

Ocean Club Bahamas is a Four Seasons Resort Hotel on the stunning Cabbage Beach

Cloisters Paradise Island: Experience the History and Culture of the Bahamas

The Cloisters and Versailles Gardens Bahamas are a good representation of the Bahamas, in general. With New World beauty, Old World charm, and an original goal of using them to make the area as beautiful as possible, they are a great destination to visit and appreciate while in the island nation.

If you’re looking to learn more about the history, culture, and travel highlights of Nassau, make sure to read through our other destination guides. You’ll also want to check out our interactive Paradise Island Map!

Attraction Information