Quick Tips for Visiting Versailles Palace and Gardens
Located southwest of the center of Paris, getting to the Palace of Versailles from Paris for a day trip is pretty easy! But worry not, I’m also here with some tips for visiting Versailles Palace and Gardens so that you can make the most of your trip!
Versailles began when Louis XIV transformed his old hunting pavilion into a palace, making it the principal royal residence of France beginning in 1682. A succession of kings continued to build upon it until the French Revolution in 1789. Since 1979, the Palace of Versailles has been listed as a World Heritage Site and contains 2,300 rooms spread over 63,154 m2.
Side note: there’s a wonderful Versailles TV show about the former King that you should watch!
Getting to the Palace of Versailles from Paris
Versailles was my first stop after landing in Paris the night before via the Chunnel. By the way, I highly recommend the Chunnel—it takes no time at all! The best way of getting to the Palace of Versailles from Paris is by the RER train; it’s also the cheapest option.
A round trip to Versailles by train costs about €7 per person and will take about 45 minutes (16 miles each way). There are three train stations in Versailles, and the closest one to the Palace is the Versailles Château Rive Gauche (look for VICK or VITY). From there, it is just a 10-minute walk to the Palace. It’s pretty flat, so the walk isn’t strenuous.
I’d also recommend downloading a map of the area on your phone via the Maps.me app as then you’ll be able to use it even without wi-fi. Or use the Citymapper app for transport assistance, as things can always change on the road and it’ll give you live transportation information.
Versailles Opening Hours
Versailles hours are every day starting at 9:00 am, except for Mondays. The Estate of Trianon and the Coach Gallery are only open in the afternoon. The Versailles Gardens and Park are open every day and free except on days of the fountains shows. I didn’t see the fountain show, but after seeing the one in Salzburg, I think you should if it’s even remotely alike!
Palace of Versailles Entrance Fee
I had the Paris Museum Pass, which I highly recommend, which included Versailles. However, it does not include the musical water show or musical gardens. If you’re not getting the Paris Museum Pass or would like to add the show or gardens, you can instead purchase a Versailles entrance ‘passport’ fee online or at the Palace. I’d recommend booking online ahead of time to ensure you have a ticket before heading out to Versailles, as they make you select a visit date.
Various ‘passports’ are available depending on what you want to see. There is one where you can go in with timed entry to avoid the crazy lines. If you’re going in peak season, I’d recommend this as one of my top tips for visiting Versailles Palace. To save even more time, you can download their free mobile app to be used instead of the audio guide. Download it at your hotel or hostel, so you’re not trying to download it while at the Palace of Versailles.
One of my top tips for visiting Versailles Palace is that if you’re under 18 (or under 26 residing in the EU), you can get around the Palace of Versailles entrance fee as you’re free. That’s right, no Palace or Estate of Trianon entrance fee! Additionally, on the first Sunday of every month from November to March, the entire estate, including the Palace of Versailles and the Estate of Trianon, is open free of charge to all. On this occasion, booking a time slot to visit the Palace is mandatory.
A Tour of Versailles
Before I visited Versailles, I had a lot of expectations. I am a history nerd, after all! So, it had been on my bucket list for a WHILE. There were so many people at Versailles the day I visited! We waited in line for over an hour, which felt like waiting in line at Disney World. On top of that, it was scorching outside, so that didn’t help. Bring snacks, water, sunblock, and a hat if you go in the summer! I believe this has since changed, and there’s timed entry, but either way, one of my top tips for visiting Versailles Palace is to show up early!
Now that we have all the planning pieces out of the way. What did I think of my day trip from Paris to Versailles? I do have to say that it is gorgeous at Versailles, but I don’t feel that they put enough personality into it. While walking through with the audio guide, it felt like no one had ever lived there. The bedrooms were gorgeous, but I think they should have made it more personal for the visitor.
The Diamond necklace affair, in which Marie Antoinette was nearly killed, was just glazed over. Granted, many of the palace’s original items were destroyed during the revolution. However, that’s why you have replicas or at least items from the same period.
A palace that one hundred percent pulls out all the stops is Hampton Court Palace. I feel like if Versailles had done a fraction of what Hampton Court does, I would have enjoyed it more. If you want to visit a palace in France, I’d recommend visiting the Palace of Fontainebleau instead. Though I have not gone myself, many people had recommended it before my trip and after my sentiments. Lessons learned!
The Palace of Versailles Hall of Mirrors
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the most famous room in the Palace, the Hall of Mirrors. It was built to replace a large terrace that opened onto the garden. The terrace originally stood between the King’s Apartments to the north and the Queen’s to the south, but it was awkward and exposed to bad weather, so it wasn’t long before the decision was made to demolish it. Jules Hardouin-Mansart produced a more suitable design that replaced the terrace with a large gallery.
The Marie Antoinette Estate
The one place I found quaintly beautiful was the Queen’s Hamlet. As part of the Marie Antoinette Estate, it began as a gift from Louis XVI to Marie Antoinette in 1774. She had trouble adapting to court life, so this rustic retreat in the park of the Château de Versailles was built for her in 1783 near the Petit Trianon. The Marie Antoinette Estate served as a private meeting place for the Queen and her closest friends. The area includes the Petit Parc, the Estate of Trianon, home to the Grand Trianon and Petit Trianon palaces, as well as the Queen’s Hamlet and gardens.
The traditional rustic architecture of Normandy inspired the Queen’s Hamlet. Including a model village, windmill, dairy, dining room, salon, billiard room, and boudoir. Contrary to the public beliefs of Marie Antoinette, she did not “play at being farmers.” Since it was a fully functioning farm, which she insisted upon, it shows that it had an essential part in her children’s education. Marie Antoinette also used the hamlet for promenades and hosting guests. While we’re at it, she never said, let them eat cake!
Tips for Visiting Versailles Palace
(as of March 2024)
I would say that if you are a big fan of French royalty, then taking a day trip from Paris to Versailles is worth it. There were things I liked, such as the Marie Antoinette Estate (Queen’s Hamlet), but I don’t know if it was worth spending a good half-day at the Palace of Versailles.
If I were to return, I’d visit the Palace of Fontainebleau instead. However, getting to the Palace of Versailles from Paris isn’t very hard, and the Versailles entrance fee isn’t too bad, so it’s a great destination if you’re looking for something nearby Paris on a budget.
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This is exactly what happened to me when we went to Paris. I wish it would have been a separate trip and we had time to relax more. TOO much at one time!
Yes! for sure!