Founded in 2003 in the royal stables (Grande Écurie) of Versailles’ Palace, the Equestrian Arts Academy (Académie du spectacle équestre) is a high-level further education institution in equestrian arts.
You can visit the Royal Stables
Wednesdays from 01:30 pm to 05:30 pm and Saturdays from 01:30 pm to 04:30 pm.
Price : €5
« Les Matinales » (in the morning)
You can discover the Royal Stables and the work of the contemporary Squires School: work sessions, rider’s daily training.
Every Sundays from 10 am to 12 am from 25 September.
Tour every 20 min. (last visit at 11.20 am)
Shows of the equestrian Academy of Versailles
Equestrian show
The National Equestrian Academy of Versailles is unique. It’s the only “corps de ballet” in the world.
The rider Bartabas create in 2003 within the Royal Stables an equestrian show.
Each year, the Academy proposes a new repertory show with various artistic disciplines: dancing, singing, fencing or traditional Japanese archery (Kyudo).
Shows of the equestrian Academy of Versailles
The show is followed by a tour of the Stables.
Time : 1h15 – (Not suitable for children under five)
Starting from mid-July : On Saturdays at 6pm and Sundays at 3pm.
For the tercentenary of King Louis XIV (1715-2015), Palace of Versailles organize the exhibition The King is dead (Le Roi est mort in French), from 27 October 2015 to 21 February 2016.
The King is dead
The exhibition give details of the death, autopsy and funeral of Louis XIV. Works of art and historical documents situate them in the funeral context of European sovereigns from the Renaissance period to the Enlightenment.
For the first time, ceremonial portraits, funeral statues and effigies, gravestones, the manuscript for the account of the autopsy of the king, coins from the Saint-Denis Treasury, gold medals, emblems and ornaments, and furniture of funeral liturgy are exhibited in public.
Arts works show how Louis XIV was a great king in the government, as a war leader, in diplomacy, in religion and in arts. Autopsy and embalming, ceremony, funeral convoy are presented.
The exhibition is open every day except Monday (and on Thursday 25th December 2015 and 1st January 2016) from 9:00am to 5:30pm (last entry at 4:45pm).
Admission included in Palace tickets.
A free audio guide, from 8 years of age, is available in English to provide a better understanding of the exhibition.
This section tells about different Visa for France (and for Palace of Versailles) and France visa requirements (excluded overseas departments and french territories), depending on wich country you travel from, the purpose of your trip and the length of your stay.
Do you need visa to France from Uk or USA ?
A visa from Inde to France?
The Schengen area includes the territory of the following European Union countries and associated countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Sweden.
Visa
France Visa Information
Several factors determine whether a visa is waived:
• If you come from an Europeen country or from the Economic Area (EEA) you don’t need a visa :
• All foreign citizens who wish to come to France must be able to present:
* a valid passport (at least 3 months after the date of the requested visa)
* a valid visa
* proof of the purpose of their stay (support and accommodation). In some cases, they need a visa to enter France.
Tourist Visa for France : Short stays
A short stay (In Palace of Versailles for example) is a stay in the Schengen area under 90 days or multiple stays totalling less than 90 days in a period of six months.
A visa is waived for:
Citizens of the following countries (and the list above for europeen citizen) :
Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Bermuda, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Holy See, Honduras, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, Nicaragua, New Zealand, Panama, Paraguay, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela.
Holders of passports from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China and the Special Administrative Region of Macao of the People’s Republic of China.
A long stay is a stay in the Schengen area over 90 days or multiple stays totalling more than 90 days in.
No need a long-stay visa to France for : Member States of the European Union and the European Economic Area (EEA) (list of EEA), Switzerland, Monaco and Andorra.
All other country need a Schengen visitor visa for France.
Getting a Visa for France
If you are entering in France as a tourist it will be very easy to get a visa.
• France Visa requirements, French visa fees and application in the Official website of the government. The France Visa is called Schengen Visa.
This Summer 2015, from 9th June to 1st November, the Indian artist Anish Kapoor exhibits its work in Palace of Versailles and its gardens.
Anish Kapoor in Palace of Versailles
Anish Kapoor is born in 1954 in Mumbai. He studied art in England at Hornsey College of Art and at Chelsea School of Art and Design. He lives in London and is considered as a great sculptor.
Its artwork deal with the monumental and the opposite inside/outside, between the architecture and the red color organic forms (like red muscles, veins and tendons in the human body).
Discover the Park and the Grand Canal by bicycle, boat, segways, little train, electric car
To best enjoy the Park of Versailles’ Palace, you can walk and run, have a bicycle or Segway® tour around the Grand Canal. You can also discover the Palace of Versailles from differents viewpoints by sailing on the Grand Canal. Confortably sitting, you can joint the Palace to Trianons by little train or with an electric car.
Rental points in Palace of Versailles: Petite Venise (all week long), Saint-Antoine’s grid (Grille de Saint-Antoine) on boulevard Saint-Antoine, Queen’s grid (Grille de la Reine) on Boulevard de la Reine (only weekends and holiday days).
Deposit: identification papers
Rental duration
Bike Prices
30 min
€5,50
1h
€7,50
4 hours
€17
1 day
€19
Opening time:
February & March : 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
April to October: 10:00 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.
November: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
December & January: Closed.
Phebus (Versailles-Chantiers Station)
To reserve a bike: 01 39 20 16 60 / phebusvelo@orange.fr
www.velo-versailles.fr
Location : Place Raymond Poincaré in Versailles
in front of Versailles-Chantiers Station
Opening time:
Monday to Friday from 7am to 10am and from 4pm to 8pm.
In July and August, it’s open on Saturdays and Sundays from 11am to 6pm.
Rental duration
Bike Prices
Electronic bike Prices
1h
€2
€4
1 day
€12
€20
1 week
€17
€25
Boat
Boats on Grand Canal of Versailles
Sitting in your boat, you do the same thing as the court of Louis XIV. Under the Old Regime, nobility sailed here calmly. To impress foreign ambassadors, the minister Colbert created a real war fleet in miniature.
4 people maximum per boat (or 5 including children).
Minimum time: 30 minutes.
Adult presence required and identification papers deposit.
30 minutes: €12 / 1 hour: €16. To full enjoy it, I advice you to hire the boat for 1 hour.
Boat rental on the Grand Canal
Opening time:
* March: from Monday to Friday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Weekends and holidays from 11:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
* April: from Monday to Friday from 12:00 noon to 5:30 p.m. Weekends and holidays for 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
* May & June : from Monday to Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. Weekends and holidays from 10:30 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.
* July & August: Daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.
* September: from Monday to Friday from 1:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. Weekends from 10:30 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.
* October: from Monday to Friday from 1:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. Weekends from 10:30 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.
* November: from Monday to Friday from 1:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Weekends from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
* Closed annually in December, January and February.
Segways®
Segways in Gardens of Versailles
On Segways®, you can have an historical and sporting guided tours (french, english and spanish speaking) around the Grand Canal (5,5 km).
(+33) 1 78 52 71 16 or reservation@versaillesevents.fr
€35 for 1 hour, €45 for 1h30 or €55 for 2 h [student rate: 10€].
Segways in Palace of Versailles
The Segway® allows you to move about 15km/h. It’s perfect to visit easily the Gardens of Versailles. Training will be provided upon arrival.
Riders must have to be over 134 cm tall and over 45kg. Participants should not be pregnant.
By group of 8 people, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Departure at rue de la Paroisse, near the Neptune Fountain.
Little train to go from North Terrace to Estate of Marie-Antoinette (Petit Trianon and Grand Trianon) and Grand Canal (Little Venise), and return.
(+33) 1 39 54 22 00.
Totally tour : 5 km / about 50 min.
* Trianon Tour : from Palace of Versailles (North Terrace) to Petit Trianon and Grand Trianon (Marie-Antoinette’s Estate) for 15 min to go.
* “Promenade” Tour : from Palace of Versailles (North Terrace) to Love’s Temple (Temple de l’Amour), Petit Trianon and Grand Trianon (Marie-Antoinette’s Estate), Grand Canal for 40 min.
Visitors can get off the little train at every stop and board one of the next trains with the same ticket.
€7,50 adult / €5,80 young (11-18 years old) / Free for kids under 11 years old.
Optional historical commentary by audioguide in 8 languages: €1,50.
Opening time:
January: 11h30 a.m. to 5h00 p.m. (no train on Monday).
February & March: 11 a.m. to 5h00 p.m. (Feb.)/5h30 p.m. (March)/ 5h00 p.m. (Monday).
From April to September: 10 a.m. (10h30 on Monday) to 6h15 PM/5h00 p.m. (Monday).
October: 10h30 a.m. (10h40 on Monday) to 6h00 PM/ 5h00 p.m. (Monday).
November & December: 11 a.m. (11h45 on Monday) to 5h00 p.m. (Nov.)/4h30 p.m.(Dec.)
Caution: days of Fountains Night Show (Grandes Eaux Nocturnes), the little train service stop earlier.
Kids tips: To have an enjoying pause and continue to visit in the same time, you can take the mini-train for a tour of huge Domain of Versailles (800 hectares). By rainy weather, you can safety go to Estate of Marie-Antoinette (Petit Trianon and Grand Trianon), 1,5 km for from Palace of Versailles.
Electric car
Electric car in Domain of Versailles
Electric car to follow 5 itineraries: discover the Gardes, Queens’Hamlet and the Trianon, tour of the Grand Canal (5,5 km), tour of the entire Estate.
24 years old for minimum age of driver and you have to deposit driver’s license to rent.
(+33) 1 39 66 97 66.
€32 for 1 hour, then €8,50 per additional quarter hour.
Opening time:
January: Closed
February / March : from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
April to September: from 10:00 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.
October: from 10:00 pam. to 6:45 p.m.
November / December: from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Not to carry your picnic too far, I recommend you to park at Parking Boulevard de la Reine, it costs €6 for a day and it’s near the Grand Canal.
2. Restaurants in Palace of Versailles
Salon de Thé Angelina Find Salon de Thé Angelina on the locator map.
First floor of Pavillon d’Orléans (also accessible via the Royal Courtyard)
Restaurant, tea room with sweet and savoury dishes and snacks all day.
+33 (0)1 39 20 08 32
Snack Menu until 5.30 p.m. : club sandwiches, quiche lorraine, charcuterie assortment, large salads, choice of three cheeses…
Price: from €16 to €26.
Pastries, Macaroons and small cakes for tea time from €4,5 to €10.
Le Grand Café d’Orléans Find Le Grand Café d’Orléans on the locator map.
Garden-level (also accessible via the Princes’ Courtyard)
+33 (0)1 30 83 04 02
Ladurée shop (macaroons), Parisian pastry shop, range of delicatessen: jams, teas, coffee, macaroons.
Parmentier de Versailles Find Parmentier de Versailles on the locator map.
Address : Place du Grand Trianon
* From April to October: South of grand Canal
* From November to March: Allée du Bosquet des DômesPotato toppings cold or hot to takeaway.
Price : between €5 and €8.
La Flottille Find La Flottille on the locator map.
+33 (0)1 39 51 41 58
Restaurant in 1900 style, brasserie, tea room and takeaway inside or outside, near the Grand Canal.
Menus: €27,50 (main dish + desert), €29 (starter + main dish), €35 (starter + main dish + desert).
Price: starter at €12,50, main courses (fish and meat dishes) at €21, desert at €9.
La Petite Venise Find La Petite Venise on the locator map.
Situated between Bassin d’Apollon and the Grand Canal
+33 (0)1 39 53 25 69
Open every days from 10h30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
This house was the gondolier’ house of Louis XIV who sailed on the Grand Canal. Inside or outside, you can eat italien food : risotto, delicatessen, charcuterie assortment, large salads, pastries…
Average price for the restaurant menu : €30-50.
Les terrasses de la Petite Venise Find Les terrasses de la Petite Venise on the locator map.
+33 (0)1 39 53 25 69
Open every days from 10h30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
This house was the guards’ house of Louis XIV who keept the Gardens. Inside or outside, you can eat italien meal : ciabatta, pizzas, tiramisu…
Average price for the restaurant menu : €14
4. Restaurant in Petit Trianon
Angelina Petit Trianon
Near the entrance of Petit Trianon in Marie-Antoinette’s Domain
+33 (0)1 39 20 91 67
Opening 12h-18h (12h-17h November to March)
Sandwiches, pastries, hot chocolate.
Price: from €6. Noon Menu: €9,90
5. Restaurants in Versailles, near the Palace
Brasserie du Musée Find Brasserie du Musée on the locator map.
2 place Gambetta (near from Versailles’ Palace, in front of Versailles’ Opera).
+33 (0)1 39 50 18 08 or infos@brasseriedumusee.fr
Open from 11:00 a.m. to midnight.
Takeaway in a terrace: lemonade and crêpes (french pancakes).
Sandwiches, pizzas, fresh pasta, mussels, toasted sandwiches, omelettes, soups, entrecote…
Menus :
€13,90 [starter + main course / main course and cheese + desert]
€17 [starter + main course + desert]
€26 [starter + main course + cheese or desert + coffee].
Tickets to visit Palace of Versailles are sold in the restaurant.
Le Saint-Julien Find Le Saint-Julien on the locator map.
6 rue Saint-Julien. +33 (0)1 39 50 00 97
Opening from tuesday noon to saturday night.
Traditional French Cuisine.
Menus: between €12 and €30.
La Veranda Find La Veranda on the locator map.
1 Boulevard de la Reine / Trianon Palace Hotel
+33 (0)1 30 84 55 55
Opening: 12:30-2:30 p.m. every day and 7:00-10:30 p.m. every day
Traditional French Cuisine.
Menus:
€59 [starter + main course]
€55 [main course + desert]
€69 [starter + main course + desert].
Gordon Ramsay ** Find Gordon Ramsay on the locator map.
1 Boulevard de la Reine / Trianon Palace Hotel
+33 (0)1 30 84 50 18
Opening: noon-2:00 p.m. (Friday and Saturday) and 8:00 to 10: 00 p.m. (Tuesday to Saturday)
International Cuisine.
Menus [starter + main course + desert]: €90, €143, €193.
Parking Cathédrale – Saint-Louis : (+33)1 39 51 69 19
It costs 1h = 1,90€ ; 2h = 3,90€ ; 3h = 5,70€ ; 24h = 20€ ; packages from 3 to 20 days
For Camper (camping-car)
Parking Sceaux : (+33)1 30 21 25 77
During the day, you can park your camper on the Parking Sceaux.
For the night, campers have to go to Versailles’ campsite (camping de Versailles) : Huttopia [ (+33)1 39 51 23 61].
Come to Palace of Versailles from Roissy Charles de Gaulle Airport
by train
RER B (blue line) until « Saint-Michel Notre Dame ».
RER C (yellow line), in Direction « Versailles-Rive Gauche ». Arrival Station : « Versailles-Rive Gauche ».
It’s 1h30 long (RER B : 38 min + RER C : 39 min).
After the travel, from the Station to Versailles’ Palace, you walk only 7 min.
The ticket costs about €14 for adult / €9 for kids under 10 years old / free for kids under 4. Be careful, Ticket t+ is not available for this travel.
Young under 26 years old can travel unlimited during Saturday, Sunday and Days off after having buy the ticket. For Paris to Versailles (zone 1-4), it costs €8,10.
by bus and train
1st: bus
CDG Shuttle Bus (Air France Company, line 4) to go to Paris Montparnasse.
The travel takes approximately 1h15.
The ticket costs €16,60 for adult / €14,20 for young (12-25 years old) / €8,50 for kid (2-11 years old).
2nd: train
After this travel, take the SNCF trains. Direction Rambouillet. The Arrival Station is « Versailles Chantier » Station.
It’s 27 min long. After the travel, from the Station to Versailles’ Palace, walk 10 min.
The ticket costs €3,45 for adult / €1,70 for kids under 10 years old / free for kids under 4 years old. Be careful, Ticket t+ is not available for this travel.
Young under 26 years old can travel unlimited during Saturday, Sunday and Days off after having buy the ticket. For Paris to Versailles, it costs €8,10.
To go to Versailles’ Palace from Roissy Charles de Gaulle Airport by bus and train, it’s about 2h long [bus (1h15) + train (27 min) + walk (10 min)].
by car
Catch A1 (E19) free motorway [Direction : Saint-Denis / Cergy / Pontoise / Paris-Centre]
Take Périphérique Ouest [Direction : Rouen / Porte de Clignancourt]
Follow A13 (E05) free motorway [Direction : Rouen / Saint-Quentin en Yvelines / Versailles]
until exit n°5 [Versailles-Centre Versailles-Château / Vaucresson / La Celle-Saint-Cloud].
Follow the traffic sign to « Château de Versailles », it’s well done indicated.
GPS Coordinates :
Latitude : 48.804865 | Longitude : 2.120355
Latitude : N 48°48’17.514 » | Longitude : E 2°7’13.279 »
From Central Paris (Notre-Dame de Paris), it’s 1h long, if there is no traffic jam…
The price depends on the company you choose.
It costs between 70€ and 90€. It’s 1h-1h20 long, if there is no traffic jam…
To return to Airport or Paris, there is a taxi rank just outside the Palace : avenue de Paris
Come to Versailles from Orly Airport
by bus and train
1st: bus
Bus (Navette) PPLT line 1 until « Pont de Rungis Aéroport d’Orly RER ».
It costs 2€50. Buy ticket directly to the bus driver.
2nd: train
After this short travel, take RER C (yellow line), until « Massy Palaiseau ». It’s 12 min long.
Take another RER C, Direction : « Versailles-Rive Gauche ». Arrival Station : « Versailles-Rive Gauche ». It’s 24 min long.
After the travel, from the Station to Versailles’ Palace, you walk only 7 min.
The ticket costs about €8 for adult / €4 for kids under 10 years old / free for kids under 4 years old. Be careful, Ticket t+ is not available for this travel.
Young under 26 years old can travel unlimited during Saturday, Sunday and Days off after having buy the ticket. For Paris to Versailles (zone 1-4), it costs €7.
In total, it’s about 1h long (bus + 2 RER C + walk) and it costs about €10,5 for adult (bus = €2,50 + RER C = €8).
by car
Catch A106 free motorway [Direction : Paris / Villejuif / L’Haÿ-les-Roses / Rungis].
Exit n°5 [L’Haÿ-les-Roses / Rungis-Ville].
Take A86 free motorway [Direction : Versailles / Fresnes] until exit « Versailles Château ».
Follow the traffic sign to « Château de Versailles », it’s well done indicated.
GPS Coordinates :
Latitude : 48.804865 | Longitude : 2.120355
Latitude : N 48°48’17.514 » | Longitude : E 2°7’13.279 »
It’s about 35 min long, if there is no traffic jam…
The price depends on the company you choose.
It costs between €45 and €60. It’s about 40 min – 1h long.
To return to Airport or Paris,there is ataxi rankjust outside thePalace : avenue deparis.
Come to Versailles from Toussus le Noble Airport
by car
Take D938 [Direction : Buc].
Go throught Buc. Follow the road, go under the bridge.
At Versailles, take « rue des Etats Généraux ».
Follow the traffic sign to « Château de Versailles », it’s well done indicated.
GPS Coordinates :
Latitude : 48.804865 | Longitude : 2.120355
Latitude : N 48°48’17.514 » | Longitude : E 2°7’13.279 »
After each arrivals, bus services every 20 minutes between Beauvais airport and Paris porte Maillot.
Find Buses schedules for Beauvais-Paris.
Ticket costs about €13/€16. You can’t book the ticket in advance: no CB / cash only.
Bus Phone number: (+33) 344 114 686 / (+33) 892 682 066.
2nd: metro and train
At terminus point, Porte Maillot, purchase your subway (metro) ticket to Paris Montparnasse station. The ticket costs €1,70 for adult, reductions for kids.
Take the line 1 (yellow line) [Direction: Château de Vincennes] to « Champs Elysée Clémenceau ».
Take the line 13 (blue line) [Direction: Châtillon-Montrouge] to « Gare Montparnasse ».
It’s about 15 min long.
After this travel, take the SNCF trains. Direction Rambouillet. The Arrival Station is « Versailles Chantier » Station.
It’s 27 min long. After the travel, from the Station to Versailles’ Palace, walk 10 min.
The ticket costs €3,45 for adult / €1,70 for kids under 10 years old / free for kids under 4 years old. Be careful, Ticket t+ is not available for this travel.
Young under 26 years old can travel unlimited during Saturday, Sunday and Days off after having buy the ticket. For Paris to Versailles, it costs €8,10.
To go to Palace of Versailles from Beauvais Airport by bus and train, it’s about 2h10 long [bus (1h15) + metro (15min) + train (27 min) + walk (10 min)].
by car
Take A16/E401 [Direction: Paris] since 44km. Have a toll ticket (€3,80).
Follow A115, then A15 [Direction: Paris].
Join A86 [Direction: Saint-Denis, Nanterre, Paris, La Défense].
Have a toll ticket.
Exit n°33 [Versailles], pay €10 toll.
Follow the traffic sign to « Château de Versailles », it’s well done indicated.
GPS Coordinates :
Latitude : 48.804865 | Longitude : 2.120355
Latitude : N 48°48’17.514 » | Longitude : E 2°7’13.279 »
The price depends on the company you choose.
It costs about €180 or €250 for 1h15 min long.To return to Airport or Paris, there is a taxi rank just outside the Palace : avenue de Paris.
From Central Paris, take RER C (yellow line), in Direction « Versailles-Rive Gauche ». The Arrival Station is « Versailles-Rive Gauche ».
From Eiffel tower (Champ de Mars Tour Eiffel station) to Versailles-Chateau-Rive Gauche Station, it’s 26 min long.
After the travel, from the Station to the Palace, you walk during only 7 min.
The ticket costs €4,20 for adult / €2,10 for kids under 10 years old / free for kids under 4. Be careful, Ticket t+ is not available for this travel.
Young under 26 years old can travel unlimited during Saturday, Sunday and Days off after having buy the ticket. For Paris to Versailles (zone 1-4), it costs €8,10.
That’s the easiest way to travel to Palace of Versailles from Paris
From « Montparnasse » Station, you can take the SNCF trains. Direction Rambouillet. The Arrival Station is « Versailles Chantier » Station.
It’s 27 min long. After the travel, from the Station to the Palace, you walk during 10 min.
The ticket costs €3,45 for adult / €1,70 for kids under 10 years old / free for kids under 4. Be careful, Ticket t+ is not available for this travel.
Young under 26 years old can travel unlimited during Saturday, Sunday and Days off after having buy the ticket. For Paris to Versailles (zone 1-4), it costs €8,10.
From « Saint Lazare » Station, you can take the SNCF trains. Direction and Arrival Station : « Versailles Rives-Droite » Station.
It’s 28 min long. After the travel, from the Station to the Palace, you walk during 10 min.
The ticket costs €4,20 for adult / €2,10 for kids under 10 years old / free for kids under 4. Be careful, Ticket t+ is not available for this travel.
Young under 26 years old can travel unlimited during Saturday, Sunday and Days off after having buy the ticket. For Paris to Versailles (zone 1-4), it costs €8,10.
From the Center of Paris, to go to Palace of Versailles by RATP’s bus, you will have to take the metro.
Take the Metro line 9 (green line) to Pont de Sèvres Station (last station of the line 9). Catch the bus n°171 until Palace of Versailles (the end of the line).
It’s 31 min long, if there is no traffic jam…
Versailles Express transfers to Palace of Versailles from the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Travellers takes the bus at « Port de Suffren », nearby the Seine (boat company « Vedettes de Paris »).
It’s 45 min long, if there is no traffic jam…
The price depends on your choice :
– Transfer Paris-Versailles and return
Schedules (Tuesday to Sunday) : Departure at 2:00 p.m. / Return to Paris (Eiffel Tower) at 6:00 p.m.
Adult : €29 / Young (9-17 years) : €29 / Kid (0-8 years) : 0€
– Transfer Paris-Versailles and return + Ticket to Palace of Versailles
Schedules (Tuesday to Sunday) : Departure at 2:00 p.m. / Return to Paris (Eiffel Tower) at 6:00 p.m.
Adult : €44 / Young (9-17 years) : €29 / Kid (0-8 years) : €0
Catch the A13 (E05) free motorway [Direction : Rouen / Saint-Quentin en Yvelines / Versailles]
until exit n°5 [Versailles-Centre Versailles-Château / Vaucresson / La Celle-Saint-Cloud].
Follow the traffic sign to « Château de Versailles », it’s well done indicated.
GPS Coordinates :
Latitude : 48.804865 | Longitude : 2.120355
Latitude : N 48°48’17.514 » | Longitude : E 2°7’13.279 »
From Central Paris (Notre-Dame de Paris), it’s 45 min long, if there is no traffic jam…
This page provides information and advice on everything you have to know before visiting Palace of Versailles with kids.
Palace of Versailles is a great monument visited by a lot of tourists, so you have to be organize before coming.
What to you want to see?
You have few possibilities which depends on what you want to see with your kids.
If you only want to visit the Versailles’ Palace, you should come in the morning (at 9:00 AM) or at 4:30 PM to avoid the crowd.
If you only want to visit the Versailles’ Palace and Gardens in 1 day, you should visit the Palace in the morning (at 9:00 AM) or at 4:30 PM to avoid the crowd, and walk in the Gardens and the Park the rest af the time.
I prefer going to the Palace in the morning, so that kids can run in the park after being so kind and quiet during the visit; it’s like a reward.
If you want to both visit Versailles’ Palace, the gardens and Trianon Palace and Marie-Antoinette’s hamlet in 1 day, you can organize your day that way : See the interior of the Palace at 9:00 AM, than gardens and park, and after Trianon palaces and Marie-Antoinette’s hamlet (open until 5:30 PM, 6:30 PM in high season).
I advice this plan, because kids can romp in the park before moving on with a new tour.
Reserve your ticket
When you choose what you want to visit, buy your tickets through Internet to avoid a long queue on site.
You have to reserve for adults, but it’s free for kids until 18 years old and for European Union residents under 26 (student card). To benefit, don’t forget your proof to show it at the main entrance.
For information, even if you have a ticket entrance for the Palace of Versailles, you will queue to the Palace main entrance (named A) to pass the control.
How many time do I need to visit?
Palace of Versailles
For visiting the Palace of Versailles with kids, you need at least one hour and half.
After two hours, my kids want to run out to the Park. 😉
At the entrance, you can have audioguides with explanations specially adapted for kids, but only in french. The audioguide is free, it’s included in the price of the ticket. The adults’ audioguide exists in 11 languages. Officially, the audioguide is available for kid from 8 years old, but kids really appreciate to have one even if they don’t fully understand.
You can also visit with a Guided tour. It costs 7€ for adult in addition to the admission price. Admission is free for children under 10 years old.
Gardens and Park
For Gardens and the Park, it depends on your legs and your kids!
You can stay as long as you want until the closing 6:00 PM (8:30 PM in the summer).
Trianon Palace and Marie-Antoinette’s hamlet
For Trianon Palace and Marie-Antoinette’s hamlet, you need one hour and a half.
Special advice when visit with babies and Toddlers
Be careful ! Pushchairs and baby-carriers with metal frames are not allowed in the rooms of the Palace. You should bring a baby sling or a baby-carrier without metal frames for children under a year old.
You can go to Palace of Versailles without a reservation, but you will wait for a very long time (few hours), and with kids it could be awful.
My best advice : reserve before coming !
For information, even if you have a ticket entrance for the Palace of Versailles, you will queue to the Palace main entrance (named A) to pass the control.
Where book or buy a ticket in Versailles ?
Ticketing’s Palace of Versailles. You could also buy it in Palace of Versailles but you will queue more than 1 hour.
By Internet Palace of Versailles’ partners : Digitick (€15 + €1,45 to book), FNAC (€16.80 + €0,50 for delivery) and Ticketmaster (€16,80).
Guidatours : this tourist agency located on the way between Versailles Rive Gauche Station and Palace of Versailles sells ticket. If you book by Internet or buy in law season (November to March) the ticket price is sold at the same price as in Palace of Versailles. You just have to remove locally with your email confirmation. In high season (April to October) : Ticket for Palace of Versailles’ visit + €2.
10 avenue du Général de Gaulle, tel. 01 39 02 05 18
Tourist office (Office de tourisme) : Ticket for Palace of Versailles’ visit + €1,5€ / Passport + €2.
Town center of Versailles, in coffee shop and restaurants (You don’t have to consume) sign by a posters outside. The ticket is sold at the same price as in Palace of Versailles, it’s valid for 2 years. Be careful, they could be out of tickets or do not sell in low season (November to March).
* Le Café Bleu Roi, 7 rue Colbert, (+33) 1 39 50 05 79
* La Brasserie du Musée, 2 place Gambetta, (+33) 1 39 50 18 08
* Le Café Place d’Armes, 1 avenue de Saint-Cloud, (+33) 1 39 50 03 60
* Le Saint Claire, 2 rue de Satory, (+33) 1 39 50 11 42
How much will it cost ?
Good news : it’s free for kids until 18 years old and for European Union residents under 26 (student card). Be careful, don’t forget your proof to show it at the main entrance. And Guided tour is free for children under 10 years old.
The domain of Versailles is free on the first Sunday of every month from November to March. I avoid this specially day : it’s free but there are too many people. Queue is very long and it may take several hours before visiting, after that time kids are very upset.
The price depends on your visit :
Palace ticket allows you to visit the Palace of Versailles. The price is €15 for adult / free : 18-25 years old (student card proof) and 0-18 years old.
Passeport ticket lets you access anywhere at Versailles. It costs €18. Be careful : on the days of the Musical Fountains and Gardens shows (week-end from 1st April to 31th October), it costs €25.
2-days Passeport ticket allows you to access anywhere at Versailles over 2 consecutive days. It costs €25, or €30 on the days of the Musical Fountains and Gardens shows.
Trianon Palaces and Marie-Antoinette’s hamlet ticket entitles you to admission to those places only. The price is €10.
Musical Gardens (Jardins musicaux) : €8 for adult [free for kids under 5 years old].
Fountains Night Show (Grandes Eaux Nocturnes) : €24 for adult / €20 for kid.
Serenade Ticket : €18.
Combate Ticket Serenade + Fountains Night Show (Grandes Eaux Nocturnes) : €36.
Admission to the Park and Gardens of Versailles is free for pedestrians but there is a fee for vehicles: €3 for a motorcycle, €6 for a car and €30 for a bus (from 12 seats).
Guided tour cost €7 for adult in addition to the admission price. Admission is free for children under 10 years old.
During the Summer (from April to October), the Domain of Versailles organizes events that may interest you and make your visit more special and memorable.
Domain of Versailles invites artists to reinvent the spirit of the Grand Siècle of Louis XIV. Discover the Musical garden, Musical Fountains Show, Fountains Night Show and the Serenade.
The Musical Garden (Jardins musicaux)
Garden of Versailles
You can stroll through the Palace of Versailles’s gardens designed by André Le Nôtre with music that comes from green spaces (groves). It’s a quiet and pleasant moment with the sound of Baroque music.
Be careful : tickets are not returned neither exchanged or refunded even in bad weather on the day. Music in the Gardens takes place whatever the weather.
It happens each Tuesday, from April to October. From 10: a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
It costs €8 and it’s free for kids under 5 years old.
Royal serenade in the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles (Sérénade)
Senerade in Hall of Mirrors
Just before Fountains Night Show, musicians and dancers show you in the Hall of Mirrors (Galerie des Glaces) for a French ball.
Each Saturdays from mid june to end August.
Two performances of 50 minutes at 6:45 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.
It costs €18.
It costs €36 for a combate ticket Serenade + Fountains Night Show (Grandes Eaux Nocturnes).
The Opening times are longer in high season (April to October) than in low season (November to March).
Palace of Versailles is open from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM (6:30 PM April to October) ; last admission 5:00 PM (6:00 PM November to March), from Tuesday to Sunday.
Trianon palaces and Marie-Antoinette’s hamlet are open from noon to 5:30 PM (6:30 PM April to October) ; last admission 5:00 PM (5:45 PM April to October).
French gardens are open every days from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM (8:30 PM April to October).
Park and Gardens are open from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM (7:00 AM to 8:30 PM April to October).
I come Wednesday, Thursday or Friday from 1st April to 31th October. Be careful you will have to pay every Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays on these months.
For Palace of Versailles or gardens : an half day is enough
For Palace of Versailles + gardens: 1 day is necessary
For Palace of Versailles + gardens + Trianon palaces + Marie-Antoinette’s hamlet: in 1 day it’s possible, but 2 days is better.
3. How to organize my day?
If I want to see Palace of Versailles or the Gardens?
I visit the Palace in the morning (at 9:00 a.m.) or at 4:30 p.m. to avoid the crowd.
I walk in the Gardens and the Park when I want.
If I want to see both Palace of Versailles and the Gardens in 1 day?
I visit the Palace in the morning (at 9:00 a.m.) and after I walk in the park, so that kids can run after being so kind and quiet in the palace.
If I do the opposite, I see the Palace from 4:30 p.m. to avoid the crowd.
If I want to see both Palace of Versailles, the Gardens and Trianon Palace and Marie-Antoinette’s hamlet in 1 day?
In that case, I organize my day this way:
First choice: I see the interior of the Palace at 9:00 a.m., than Gardens and Park, and after Trianon Palace and Marie-Antoinette’s hamlet (open until 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. in high season).
It’s my preferred choice, because kids can romp in the park before moving on with a new tour.
Second choice : I begin by gardens and park until 12:00, than Trianon palaces and Marie-Antoinette’s hamlet and I finish by the interior of the Palace after 4:30 p.m.
I well know my kids and I imagine if they will want to visit all or only the palace. I have to decide before buying tickets, because the price won’t be the same and I don’t want to queue!
Have a look at the Palace of Versailles Opening Times to choose your best moment to visit.
If I want to see both Palace of Versailles, the Gardens and Trianon Palace and Marie-Antoinette’s hamlet in 2 days?
Marie-Antoinette’s Domain
The first day, I see the interior of the Palace at 9:00 a.m., than Gardens and Park. If I do the opposite, I see the Palace from 4:30 p.m. to avoid the crowd.
The second day, I begin by Gardens and Park, and I visit Trianon Palace and Marie-Antoinette’s hamlet from 12:00.
Have a look at the Palace of Versailles attendance Page to choose your best day to visit.
For information, even if you have a ticket entrance for the Palace of Versailles, you will queue to the Palace main entrance (named A) to pass the control.
5. Do I want to see some Paris attractions like Disneyland Paris or the Eiffel Tower?
If yes, I could spend some more nights in Versailles hotel or move in another hotel. Have a look at all the possibilities around Paris and not so far from Versailles.
The Versailles’Palace is one of the UNESCO’s World Heritage List. It is very famous, not only for its beauty but also as a symbol of absolute monarchy of the Ancient Regime.
In Domain of Versailles, you can visit these main sights :
In the 1660s, the young king Louis XIV began to transform the hunting castle of Louis XIII. The architect was Louis Le Vau. André Le Nôtre begans to create « French-style » Gardens of Versailles.
Hall of Mirrors
In 1678, Louis XIV, named « Sun King », decided to expand the castle into a Palace. The architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart created the Hall of Mirrors, decoreated by the painter Charles Le Brun. The famous Hall of Mirrors was a waiting and meeting place where the King showed his royal power to impress visitors.
In 1682, the King moved the court and the government of France from Paris to Versailles.
In 1837, Louis-Philippe converted it into a museum of French History.
In 1919, World War I ended in Hall of Mirrors with signing the Treaty of Versailles with Clémenceau (France), Wilson (Uned States), Lloyd George (United Kingdom), Orlando (Italy), Müller and Bell (Germany).
In Versailles’ Palace , you can see first :
Hall of Mirrors*
King ‘s Grand Apartment
King’s Chamber*
Queens’ Grand Apartment
King’s interior apartments
Royal Chapel*
Royal Chapel
You can also see :
Crown Prince’s Apartment (Appartement du Dauphin et de la Dauphine) [currently close]
Louis XV’s daughters apartments [can be visit only during the week-end]
Marie-Antoinette’s Apartments
Marquise de Pompadour’s Apartment
Museum of French History : paintings and sculptures which show the great national history of France since the Middle Ages.
