Château de Versailles

A trip from Paris to the famous Château de Versailles and the adjoining gardens is a great way to spend a day

The magnificent Château de Versailles
The magnificent Château de Versailles cc licensed photo by jaime1

The Château de Versailles is a rather famous tourist attraction. It symbolised the monarchy of Louis XIV between 1682 and 1789. It was the centre of power during those years thanks to Louis XIV arranging to have the government and all seats of power housed there. Forcing the regional powers to spend a portion of their time at the palace prevented regional forces from gathering too much power.

It has, as many French landmarks have, been redesigned by the resident monarch a number of times. The first design was by Philibert Le Roy which were followed by four major renovations and extensions to the palace. One of the more significant improvements and extensions was the addition of the King's and Queen's apartments.

The Château de Versailles is now open to the public most days of the week. Modern restrooms have been installed and there are free audio guides available in ten major languages. For those who would like to purchase some knick knacks for family and friends there are a variety of souvenir shops and curio stores. They even have a resident photographer who will gladly take your picture, for a fee.

For those that prefer to ride than to walk around a tourist attraction as large as this, there is an electric vehicle hire available which you can take around the gardens and through the Trianon, the Queen's Hamlet, the Grand Canal and the entire estate. There's a mini train that will take you to the estate of Marie Antoinette the Grand Trianon and little Venice.

It is worth noting that it is best to visit the Château de Versailles on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. This is because Tuesdays are busiest as most other French museums are closed.

Facts For Your Visit

Fee: Admission is free on the first Sunday of each month from November to March. Otherwise admission charges apply. See the official website for details.

Château de Versailles Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays

  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
  • Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
  • Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
  • Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
  • Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
  • Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Address: Place d'Armes, 78000 Versailles, France

Phone: 01 30 83 78 00

Official Website: Château de Versailles

Château de Versailles Reviews

Rated 4.6 out of 5 Star Rating

5 Star Rating It’s a major pain to buy tickets in person and wait in the entry line. Both lines are incredibly long and take hours, even in old, windy, rainy weather in late October…and while normally I’d NEVER wait in a line that long for anything, this was worth it. It’s also a madhouse, super crowded and will peeve you, but my god I’ve never seen anything like this palace. It’s insane. Epic, grand, ornate, doesn’t do it justice. Feels like a wonder of the world. It’s worth a day trip if you want to explore the gardens. I walked over 5mi and didn’t even make a dent in the gardens, so I’d plan to arrive early and bring good walking shoes. Also an umbrella! Whether raining like it was on me or sunny, the line is so long you’ll want to have something with you to protect against the elements. The palace is so intricate and luxurious it’s hard to wrap your mind around and it certainly makes you understand why the French had a revolution. It’s astonishing and will leave you speechless, angry, and amazed. A very memorable sight to see and a highlight of the trip.
Heather - 2 months ago

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5 Star Rating The Palace of Versailles is one of the most beautiful places in the world, I visited it a couple of years ago with my mother and we booked it 6 weeks early. We also selected the package of visiting the personal chambers of the king, so a lot of my pictures are from there. If you intend to visit, I strongly suggest you check their website first and book your tickets in advance. The tour guide might not know good English, so be sure to use any audio guide that may be available. Finally if you have time, try to visit the gardens, which are exciting! We didn’t go this time because our schedule was tight, but be sure to do so! You can also buy food from inside the palace or bring your own, it’s up to you!
Prodromos Peios - 3 weeks ago

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5 Star Rating I would reccomending booking your tickets in advance and go early on in the day to beat the crowds, it's definitely worth it. The Palace and grounds are extensive and you can easily spend the whole day there. We caught the train here from Paris and it was easily one of the highlights of our visit to France, a definite must-visit! Absolutely stunning and lots to see whilst you are there. The ticket also allows access to other buildings in the grounds, which are not to be missed.
Beth K - 2 weeks ago

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4 Star Rating I visited the Palace of Versailles in October 2023, marking my fifth visit to this historical marvel. With each visit, I've noticed a significant increase in the number of visitors, particularly in the famous Hall of Mirrors, where it's become nearly impossible to move freely due to the crowds. This surge in attendance can be seen as a drawback. However, despite the crowds, the opportunity to glimpse into the splendid history and opulent royal life of France remains an enriching experience. Witnessing the grandeur of Versailles serves as a valuable educational opportunity, especially for the children who accompanied me. The palace stands as a symbol of France's illustrious past, offering a window into the extravagance and splendor of its royal heritage. Despite the challenges posed by the increasing number of visitors, the cultural and historical significance of Versailles continues to shine through. Overall, I would rate my experience at the Palace of Versailles as four stars. While the crowds can be overwhelming at times, the opportunity to immerse oneself in France's rich history and royal legacy is truly invaluable.
WanderLensBiker “WanderLensBiker” - a week ago

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5 Star Rating Such a beautiful place to visit. Definitely one of the most amazing palaces I've visited in the world. If you love history you'd definitely love this place! It was very busy, but we went during a very busy time of tve year so that was expected. The gardens are gorgeous and you can easily spend a few hours in this Palace. I'd highly recommend 🏰👌❤️
Chryso N. - 2 weeks ago

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Directions

RER Line Nearest Station Walking Time
RER-CVersailles - Rive Gauche10 minutes

How to get to Château de Versailles by RER

By RER: Take the RER-C Train to Versailles - Rive Gauche. Exit the station and go right (north) up Av de General du Gaulle the left on Avenue de Paris to the entrance of Château-de-Versailles.

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