During our visit, we saw the gardens transforming for the Olympic Games. The Equestrian and Modern Pentathlon events were held here. Imagine jumping horses with the palace as a backdrop!
A Journey to the Epicenter of Power
Visiting Paris without seeing Versailles leaves your trip incomplete. Just 40 minutes by train from the capital, this place isn't just a beautiful building: it is the physical manifestation of Louis XIV's (the Sun King) absolute power and the stage where Marie Antoinette's tragic end began.
Our real experience in May 2024 taught us that Versailles requires strategy: it is immense, overwhelming, and tiring. But with the right tips, the picnic by the Grand Canal becomes one of the best memories of the trip.
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2024 Olympic Fact
Know Before You Go
Essential facts to organize your visit to the Royal Estate.
Key Aspects
- Time slot reservation mandatory (even for free entry)
- Recommended duration: Full Day (6-7 hours)
- Palace: Hall of Mirrors and Royal Apartments
- Gardens: Free access (except on Fountain Show days)
- Estate of Trianon and the Queen's Hamlet
Interactive Map
Icon Legend
- 📸 Must-Take Photo
- ⭐️ Top Sight
- 🏛️ Culture
- 🍴 Restaurants & Bakeries
- 🍸 Cocktail Bars
- 🌲 Gardens
Route Days
- Day 1: Le Marais
Let's get into the day-by-day details.
🚆 Logistics: Getting There & Which Ticket to Buy
1. The Transport (RER C Train)
The easiest way is to take the RER C (yellow line). Your final destination must be Versailles Château Rive Gauche (it's the last stop, a 10-minute walk from the palace).
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Ticket Warning
The standard metro ticket (t+) DOES NOT work here. Versailles is in Zone 4. You must buy an 'Origine-Destination' ticket at the machines (approx. €4 each way) or have a Navigo pass (Zones 1-5).
2. The Tickets
There are several types, but we strongly recommend the Passport. It includes:
- The Palace (Hall of Mirrors, King's/Queen's Apartments)
- The Gardens (Free except on Musical Fountains days)
- The Estate of Trianon (Vital for escaping the crowds)
- The Queen's Hamlet
Always book via the official website or official providers like GetYourGuide if the official site fails or you want a guide.
Ideal Itinerary: From Opulence to Nature
Morning: The Palace and History
Arrive early (before 9:30 AM). The visit starts strong with the Royal Apartments and culminates in the impressive Hall of Mirrors. Imagine that the treaty ending World War I was signed here. It is overwhelming, golden, and crowded, so doing it first thing in the morning is key.
Noon: The Saving Picnic
Here is our Golden Tip. Eating inside the complex at restaurants is extremely expensive and touristy quality. We bought sandwiches in Paris (or at a boulangerie near the train station) and headed to the Grand Canal.
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Golden Tip
Rent a rowboat or simply sit on the grass. It is the moment of peace you need after the chaos of the palace.
Afternoon: The Trianons and the Hamlet
Many tourists leave after seeing the palace. Mistake! Walk (or take the little train) to the Grand & Petit Trianon. Above all, do not miss the Hameau de la Reine (Queen's Hamlet). It is a fake rustic village that Marie Antoinette had built to play at being a peasant. It has a farm, a mill, and lakes. It was our favorite part.
A Bit of Cultural Context 🧐
Versailles did not start as a palace, but as a hunting lodge for Louis XIII. It was his son, Louis XIV, who decided to move the court here in 1682 to control the nobility. By keeping them all under his roof (and busy with parties and absurd etiquette), he prevented them from conspiring against him in Paris.
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Did you know?
The palace has 2,300 rooms, but in the time of the kings, there were almost no bathrooms. Hygiene was... complicated, and perfume was fundamental.
Survival Tips
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Practical Recommendations Summary
- 👟 Comfortable Footwear: Not a cliché. The gardens are immense, and the ground is gravel. You will walk kilometers.
- 💧 Water and Sun: There is little shade and few fountains in the gardens. Bring water and a hat if visiting in spring/summer.
- 🎵 Musical Fountains Show: From April to October, on weekends, the fountains 'dance' to baroque music. It is beautiful, but garden entry costs extra (or increases the Passport price).
- 🚲 Rentals: If you get tired, inside the park you can rent bicycles or electric golf carts (although pricey, about €35/hour, they are lifesavers with kids or seniors).
Organized Excursions
If you prefer pickup/drop-off or want an expert guide to explain every painting:
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