
- BGG rank
- BGG #27,717
- BGG rating
- 5.4
Canaletto
- 3–4 players
- 30–45 min
- Complexity 1.7/5
- 1995

1996
Rules assistance for Der Garten des Sonnenkönigs
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.

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Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Der Garten des Sonnenkönigs is a board game released in 1996 for 2–5 players, 60 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Günter Cornett and its main mechanics are Auction / Bidding.
A tactical bidding game. The highest bid determines not only the purchase price, but also which object will be sold next. So sometimes it's profitable to pay a little bit more than an object seems to be worth. It is a significantly revised version of Canaletto. Publication history: First published with the garden motif in 1996 by Bambus as Le Jardin. Then published in a fancier edition by Noris in 2000 as Der Garten des Sonnenkönigs.
Der Garten des Sonnenkönigs supports 2–5 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Der Garten des Sonnenkönigs is 60 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Der Garten des Sonnenkönigs for ages 10 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Der Garten des Sonnenkönigs has a complexity rating of 2.5 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Der Garten des Sonnenkönigs belongs to these categories: Economic and Renaissance. Its main mechanics are Auction / Bidding. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Der Garten des Sonnenkönigs are: Günter Cornett. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Der Garten des Sonnenkönigs as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.