Archives par mot-clé : Gardens and Park

Special guest: Anish Kapoor

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 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 Grand Canal by bicycle, boat, Segways, little train of electric vehicle

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.

Bicycle

Bicycle in Palace of Versailles
Bicycle in Palace of Versailles

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
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
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
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
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.

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Little train

Little Train in Gardens of Versailles
Little Train in Gardens of Versailles

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 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.

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Domain of Versailles’ Facilities

Domain of Versailles’ Facilities

This page provides information about many services in Domain of Versailles.

Special tips

Wear good shoes: Domain of Versailles is huge, you will have to walk al lot during the Palace of Versailles, to joint Marie-Antoinnette’s estate (Petit Trianon, Grand Trianon) 1,5 km far from the Castle.

In Summer, don’t forget a cap, solar cream and little bottle of water (50 cl maximum to be allowed during the Palace of Versailles’ visit).

In wet weather, don’t forget a folding umbrella. Becareful : Umbrella that doesn’t bend are forbidden inside the Palace of Versailles.

At the entrance of Palace of Versailles :

  • Free left-luggage office for your stroller, backpacks, suitcases and umbrellas : Prefer bring with you a baby sling or a baby-carrier without metal frames for children under a year old.
  • Public toilets free of charge, basement level (Gabriel Pavilion)
  • Free distribution of audio-guide in 11 languages : French, English, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, Korean, Polish.

Bicycle and row boat hire, Segways, mini-train and electric vehicle to rent

The garden’s designer, André Le Nôtre transformed this wet section of the park into a huge reservoir: The Grand Canal of Versailles. This east-west view from the Versailles’ garden is a source of changing light, perfect to visit in each season. It offers many differents specials views of the palace.

Tour the Grand Canal of Versailles is 5.5 km long. Walking takes about 1h/1h15, rollerblading 35/40 minutes and by bicycle 25 to 30 minutes. This quite flat path is accessible to stroller  and wheelchair occupants.

The Grand Canal of Versailles is the best place in the park to have a glance all the place. Its 23 hectares of water, 60 meters wide, it forms a cross of nearly 1700 meters in the east-west and 1000 in north-south direction. To full enjoy it, it’s better to hire a boat for an hour.

The park is daily open.
General schedules:
April to September: 7:00 AM-7:00 PM (for vehicles) and 8:30 PM for pedestrians.
October to  March: 8:00 AM-6:00 PM.

There are several gates to enter through  the park: from  Boulevard de la Reine, the entrance to the palace or the Saint Cyr road.
Admission to the palace park is free, unless you enter through the gardens (the section close to the palace where the various groves are located) on Musical Fountain days during high-season.
The price to enter by car is €5 per vehicle. There is car park beside the Grand Canal, at Little Venice.

Drink in Domain of Versailles

From April to October, you can find  Fresh-pressed orange juice  in the alleys of Grand Trianon, Petit Trianon, Saint-Antoine’s Gate.

Have an ice cream in Domain of Versailles

From April to October, you can have an ice cream (fruits sorbets) Grille de la Ménagerie, at the beginning of the Grand Canal when arriving from the Palace of Versailles.

1 cornet : €2,50 / 2 cornets : €4.

Eat in Domain of Versailles

In Domain of Versailles, you have few possibilities to eat, for every budget :

  1. Picnic
  2. Restaurants in Palace of Versailles
  3. Restaurants in Park and Gardens of Domain of Versailles
  4. Restaurant in Petit Trianon
  5. Restaurants in Versailles near Château de Versailles

Where you can eat in Domain of Versailles?

Where you can eat in Domain of Versailles?

In Domain of Versailles, you have got few possibilities to eat, for every budget:

  1. Picnic
  2. Restaurants in Palace of Versailles
  3. Restaurants in Park and Gardens of Domain of Versailles
  4. Restaurant in Petit Trianon
  5. Restaurants in Versailles near Château de Versailles

1. Picnic

Pièce d’eau des Suisses
Pièce d’eau des Suisses


Eat Sandwiches on a bench is tolerated.

Picnic is allowed in the Domain of Versailles.
Find below best places to picnic:

  • along the Grand Canal
  • around the Pièce d’eau des Suisses (in front of the Orangerie)

Find the area of picnic in Park of Versailles’ Palace on the locator map.

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.

3. Restaurants in Park and Gardens

  • 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.

Special tips to Visit Palace of Versailles with kids

Visit Palace of Versailles with kids

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.

The price of your ticket depends on what you want 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.

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.

Palace of Versailles : Cost and Booking

Shall I book ?

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.

Special Summer events in Domain of Versailles

Special events in Domain of Versailles

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
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.

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  • The Musical Fountains Show (Grandes Eaux musicales)

Apollo’s Basin
Apollo’s Basin

In green spaces (groves), water flows in the basins against the backdrop of Baroque music.

The Musical Fountains Show takes place every Saturdays and Sundays from April to October.

  • Fountains Night Show (Grandes Eaux Nocturnes)

Fountain Night Show
Fountain Night Show

It’s a magical walk through the gardens and fountains highlighted and music, ended with a fireworks display on the Great Canal.

 Watch this video that will give you an idea of this magnificent spectacle :

According to me, it’s a wonderful spectacle that will please the whole family. A show you should not miss !

Each Saturdays evening, from mid-June to mid-September. From 8:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. (2 hours and half).
It costs €24 for adults and €20 for kids.

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  • Royal serenade in the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles (Sérénade)

Senerade in Hall of Mirrors
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).

Palace of Versailles Opening times

What are the opening times ?

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).

How many days at Palace of Versailles?

How many days at Palace of Versailles?

This page provides tips to get out how many days at Palace of Versailles you need to cover all you want and hints to help you to plan your holidays.

Is a half day enough or 2 days are necessary?

To answer this question, you must ask yourself:

1. When do I go there?

  • Do I want to visit Palace of Versailles at the lowest months and days?
Palace of Versailles
Palace of Versailles

If yes, I come from November to February and I prefer Wednesday or Thursday.

  • Do I want to visit free Palace of Versailles?

I come the first Sunday of the month, from November to March, because it’s free. I don’t forget that I will queue for more than one hour!

  • Do I want to see Musical Gardens or Fountains Night Show?
  • For Musical Gardens, I come Tuesday from April to October.
  • For Musical Fountains Show, I come Saturday or Sunday from April to October.
  • For Fountains Night Show and Serenade, I come Saturday evening from mid-June to mid-September.

For these special events, don’t forget to book before!

  • Do I want to walk free in the Gardens?
Topiary in Garden of Versailles
Topiary in Garden of Versailles

I come November to March.

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.

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2. What do I want to see ?

  • 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
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.

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4. How busy is Palace of Versailles?

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.

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Attendance in Palace of Versailles

Attendance in Palace of Versailles

This page provides helpful details to plan your holidays at Palace of Versailles : attendance (busiest months and days) and public holidays in France.

What’s the best time to go and how long?

Versailles’ Palace has more than 6 millions visitors a year. So remember you that you won’t be alone during the visit!

What is the best time to visit the palace? Which month or week?

Versailles’s Palace is open all the year, except 25th December, 1st January and 1st May.

Be careful : August is very busy. So if  you can, choose another month.

Avoid also coming during French’ public holidays, specially Parisians’ one (zone C).

Which day?

Flowers of Versailles
Flowers of Versailles

The Domain of Versailles is closed Mondays, so beware !
It also close on these bank holidays : 1st January, 1st May and 25th December.

To avoid the crowd, prefer visiting the Palace during the weekdays.

During the week-end, prefer coming Saturday at the opening (9:00 a.m.) or after 4:30 p.m.

Sundays are generally very busy (I avoid the first Sunday of every month from November to March : it’s free but crowded).

In summary

Busiest month:

  • August
  • During the French’s public holidays and vacation

Busiest days:

  • Weekends are about twice as busy as weekdays, and 3-day weekends are 3 times as busy
  • Sundays are busier than Saturdays
  • During the France’s public holidays

Lowest months and days:

  • The least busy months are from November to February.
  • Wednesday and Thursday are the least busy days.

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Domain of Versailles’ Mains sights

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 :

  1. Palace of Versailles (Château de Versailles)
  2. Gardens and Park
  3. Trianon Palace
  4. Marie-Antoinette’s Estate

See my prefers sights indicated by *

1. Palace of Versailles

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
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
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.
  • Congress room used in the 19th century
  • Gallery of the History of the Palace
  • Battles Gallery
  • Royal Opera

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about Main sights in Domain of Versailles