Paris is a magnificent city to visit. It is full of history and beautiful architecture. Another nice thing about visiting Paris is its central location to other attractions.
The Palace of Versailles is just one of many places that you can easily see as part of a day trip from the city. The Palace of Versailles is known as a symbol of royalty, and it is one of the top attractions in Paris.
Millions of people visit this architectural marvel each year to glimpse what life was like living here at the lavish estate.
Many people connect Versailles as the home of Marie Antoinette and her husband King Louis XVI, but it has hosted many other powerful Kings and Queens in its history.
This guide to Versailles Palace will help you make the most of your visit, point you towards some of the must-see areas, and make your visit the best it can be.
The History of Versailles
Before we get into your visit, here is a brief history of Versailles. Versailles was built to be used as a hunting lodge back in 1623 by Louis XIII.
He liked the area due to its expansive forests and a large number of boars, pheasants, and stags. About eight years later, he decided to rebuild the lodge into the start of the palace that stands there today.
It wasn’t until years later that Louis XIV became king and turned the small palace into a much larger estate. Throughout his reign, Versailles was under constant building projects.
These included the Hall of Mirrors, the North and South Wings, and the Royal Chapel. In 1682 he even made Versailles the main resident of the courts.
Since Louis XIV’s reign, the palace has been home to other royalty such as King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette before becoming vacant during the French Revolution.
Eventually, Versailles was turned into a museum in the 1930s. It has also been part of monumental events in history such as the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.
Guide to Versailles Palace
Location: Place d’Armes, 78000 Versailles
Opening Hours: Versailles is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 am to 5:30 pm.
Tickets: Purchasing “The Passport” will allow you full access to the palace and grounds. The cost of these tickets is 27€ for a one-day pass. You can also buy tickets for individual areas of the estate for less.
Paris Pass: Versailles is part of the Paris Museums Pass, but it will not allow you to skip the line.
Getting to Versailles: Take the RER Line C to the Versailles Rive Gauche stop. From there, it is a short 10-minute walk to the palace. This is the easiest way to get there with the shortest walk.
Areas of Versailles to Explore
The Gardens
The gardens are extensive, covering over 800 hectares of property. You could easily spend half a day getting lost in all the different little areas. The gardens are home to hundreds of sculptures, fountains, walking paths, shaded courtyards, and even a small amphitheater.
The Palace
The palace has over 2,300 rooms, many open to visitors. Plan at least a couple of hours to walk through it. Some must-see rooms include the King’s Apartments, Royal bedrooms, and Hall of Mirrors. The Hall of Mirrors is exquisite! It has 356 mirrors alone and is adorned with gold statues and crystal chandeliers. The room also has wonderful views looking down into the gardens.
The Trianon Estates
The estate is made up of the Grand and Petit Trianons. These buildings are beautiful but are less visited since they are located further back on the property. The Petit Trianon is a place where Marie Antoinette spent a lot of her time away from the court. Although these buildings are still grand, they are a lot more intimate than the palace and the gardens are equally as beautiful.
The Queen’s Hamlet
Marie Antoinette had the Hamlet built in 1783. Unlike the extravagant palace, the Hamlet was built to look like a farmhouse and was actually a working farm. This is where she ended up spending most of her time and would only entertain close friends.
Other Things to Do At VERSAILLES
Relax in a row boat
Rent a boat and row around the Grand Canal boat rentals are 13 € for half an hour and 17 € for an hour. It is a very romantic and relaxing way to spend the afternoon at Versailles.
Ride on the Little Train
Ride the Little Train around the grounds for only 8.50€. You can either pay in advance online or go to the Water Parterre North Terrace. There are additional stops around the gardens as well. The train is a great way to get to the furthest parts of the guardians like the Trianons.
Rent a buggy
Another way to get around the grounds is to rent a buggy for 32€ an hour. This is a great way to explore the farthest areas like the Petit Trianon and Queen’s Hamlet. It also gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace.
Bike around the grounds
Renting a bike is a cheaper option than a buggy and another great way to explore the estate. Rentals cost 6.50€ for half an hour and 8.50€ for an hour.
Travel Tips for Versailles
Get there early
The palace opens at 9:00 am. Whether you have a skip-the-line ticket or not, getting there earlier ensures fewer crowds.
Buy “The Passport” ticket in advance.
The tickets let you skip the entry line, which is very long and gives you access to the entire estate. We did not do this and waited in line for a good two hours to get in!!
Try visiting during the week
The weekends are the busiest times to go. Like any attraction, it is less enjoyable when there are so many people that it is hard to move around or take pictures.
Gardens are free for some visitors
If you are not looking to explore the palace you can visit the gardens at no cost. The gardens are only free during parts of the year and for certain visitors, so make sure to check their website before going!
Eat before or after your visit
Since Versailles is one of the most popular attractions in Paris, you will pay for it at their restaurants. There are several restaurants in Versailles, including the gardens, but the prices are naturally more expensive. You could always bring food with you and have a picnic in the garden as well.
Get a guide
The tour groups even take you to special locations that are closed to the general public. There are several different tours to choose from.
Download the Versailles App
The App includes audio tours of each of the areas, interactive maps, and much more. You can get free audio guides at the palace as well.
Attend the Fetes Galantes
Each year at the end of May/beginning of June, the palace throws this unique ball to take visitors back in time of French royalty. Visitors must wear baroque-style garments, and the Hall of Mirrors turns into a large party with music and dancing.
Conclusion
The Palace of Versailles is a luxurious place that is just as rich with history. It is well worth the trip from Paris to see. Make sure to give yourself at least half the day to see all the beautiful estate has to offer.
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Travel Planning Resources
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