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 While my wife, my son and my mother-in-law were enjoying their time at Disneyland, I took half a day to visit the magnificent Schloss Versailles near Paris — and it was a dream come true for me. The palace is pure grandeur. The architecture, the gardens, and especially the Hall of Mirrors are absolutely impressive. You can truly feel the history and royal power in every room. One day, I will definitely come back to see this magnificent palace again.
Nam Truong - 2 weeks ago

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5 Star Rating I bought tickets in advance, which I recommend. I went at 11:30 and it was quite busy. You can download the free app where you can access the palace maps and audio guides for free. To explore the gardens, I rented an electric golf cart. It was very worth it to be able to cover a large area and explore both the Petit Trianon and the Grand Trianon. You can also take the mini train, which is cheaper, that drops you off at different sights. The staff was courteous and very helpful.
Zumeira H - 2 weeks ago

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5 Star Rating To visit smoothly, it’s best to buy your tickets at least a day in advance. Entry to the palace operates on fixed hourly time slots (9:30, 10:30, 11:30, and so on). Arriving early usually makes it easier to secure a morning slot. We arrived around noon without tickets and could only book an entry time of 16:00. That delay wasn’t an issue, though, as we used the time to explore the gardens—which actually require more time than the palace itself. The gardens are beautiful and expansive, and there’s also a café on the premises if you’d like to grab lunch. A palace visit typically takes a couple of hours, unless you plan to listen to the full audio guide and dive deep into its history. If you have time before your entry slot, you can step outside the gates and eat at nearby local restaurants. Just make sure to ask security, as re-entry is through a different side entrance. Overall, it’s a fantastic place to spend an entire day in Paris.
Pallabi Bagchi - a month ago

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5 Star Rating Palace of Versailles is a breathtaking symbol of French history, art, and ambition. From the moment you enter, the sheer scale and detail of the palace make it clear why it remains one of the most celebrated landmarks in the world. The opulent interiors, especially the iconic Hall of Mirrors, showcase extraordinary craftsmanship, with gilded details, crystal chandeliers, and richly decorated ceilings that reflect the grandeur of the French monarchy. Beyond the palace walls, the gardens are just as impressive. Perfectly symmetrical pathways, elegant fountains, and expansive green spaces invite visitors to slow down and appreciate the harmony between architecture and nature. Walking through the gardens feels almost cinematic, offering peaceful moments alongside striking views at every turn. Despite its popularity, the palace is well organized, with clear signage and thoughtful visitor flow that helps make the experience enjoyable. Audio guides and exhibitions add depth, allowing visitors to understand not only the beauty of Versailles but also its historical and cultural significance. Overall, Versailles is more than a tourist attraction, it is a powerful reminder of history, creativity, and human vision. A visit here is inspiring, memorable, and absolutely worth the time.
O D - a month ago

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5 Star Rating It’s a cosy, windy, rainy day as weather reports said. We booked at 10am but were there abit late. We got Versailles palace app and booked for AUDIO GUIDE. We spent time in palace 2:30 hours and came out to garden. Too bad many chambers and parts of gardens were closed. I heard it is not many people. It might be the weather. It’s easy to go there from city too. Watch out sometimes the train changes the platform. Overall 👍👍👍👍
Siriwan L - 3 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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