Updated May 2024.

Information

The Palace of Versailles is a massive place to visit with a lot to see. It is open everyday except Mondays.
  • Palace (9 AM - 6:30 PM): The main royal residence under Louis XIV through Lous XVI.
  • Estate of Trianon (12 PM - 6:30 PM): The private residences of the royal family.
  • The Gardens (8 AM - 8:30 PM): The royal gardens which are extremely well-manicured and maintained.
  • The Park (7 AM - 8:30 PM):

I would recommend spending at least 6 hours here.

  • GUIDED VISITS: One can book official tours on their website.
  • BAGGAGE

Buying Tickets

Ticket prices vary depending on the month and the day. There are 3 options one can choose:
  • Passport: All-inclusive ticket for all the attractions
  • Palace Ticket: Timed-entry into the Palace and access to the Gardens and Park
  • Estate of Trianon: Ticket to visit the Estate of Trianon and the Park

One can purchase a ticket and have it saved in your mobile wallet and present the QR code wherever you go.

NOTE: From November to March, the Gardens are free to visit.

Getting Here

The easiest way to get here is to take the RER C from Paris, heading to Versailles Château and get off at the last stop. From the train station, it is about a 10-minute walk to the main entrance of the Palace of Versailles. 

A specific ticket will need to be purchased since the palace is located in Zone 5.

​Getting Around

While it is possible to walk around the entire property, there is also the option to rent a bike or golf cart to get around much faster.
Picture
Astel Golf Carts

Château de Versailles App

The free “Château de Versailles” app provides a free audioguide as one explores the different areas, an interactive map to get around, and other practical information including booking tours and tickets.

Palace of Versailles

  • An impressive feat of art and engineering in the 17th century, the Palace has withstood the test of time. The former hunting pavilion of Louis XIII was transformed into a place for the Court and government in 1682.
  • Today, one can visit the 2,300 rooms over the 63,000 square feet (~680,000 square feet).
  • After the French Revolution, the Palace became the Museum of the History of France by King Louis-Philippe in 1837 before Pierre de Nolhac, a curator, helped to restore its appearance in the 1900s.
  • While visiting, take a look at the opulent architecture and lavish interior design. One of the most famous rooms is the Hall of Mirrors, a gallery with mirros and hanging chandeliers that was used for receptions and ceremonies. Also take note to visit the Royal Chapel as well as the apartments of both the King and the Queen.
  • Note: In French, it is called the “Château de Versailles” rather than the “Palais de Versailles”. This means Castle of Versailles, since at the time, a “Château” referred to a luxurious residence in a rural area and the Louvre was already the “Palais”.

Gardens

Designed by the famous landscape architect André Le Nôtre, the Royal Gardens consists of 15 groves, 700 topiaries, in an 850 hectare park. There are numerous fountains, statues, vases, and secret paths all throughout. They are designed in the French formal style with meticulously landscaped lawns and geometrically arranged flowerbeds.
Their provided map provides a good path through the gardens to see the notable fountains and paths. One will notice that besides the well-manicured lawns, there are also 

Some of my favorite ones are as described below:
  • Latona's Fountain: The main fountain in the Royal Way, it depcits Ovide's The Metamorphoses. Latona, the mother of Apollo and Diana, protects her children, Apollo and Diana, from the insults of the people in Lycia, who at her behest to Zeus, are turned into frogs and lizards.
  • Apollo's Fountain: At the end of the path and near the canal, it shows Apollo riding his chariot made in gilded lead.
  • Neptune Fountain: A massive water exhibit with a statue of the Roman god, Neptune. Unlike other fountains, this was built during the reign of Louis XV and is known for its multiple water jets.
Also check out a few of the groves.
  • Ballroom: The only grove to still be in its original condition. The semi-circular cascade is filled with millstones and seashells from the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea.
  • Enceladus Grove: A statue of the Titan Enceladus sits in the center of the pond, punished by the gods of Mount Olympus.
  • Water Theater Grove: Designed by Le Nôtre, it was restored in 2015 with a more contemporary feel.
  • Three Fountains Grove: Probably designed by Lous XIV himself, the slope of the area and lack of statues provides a graceful and elegant 
From March through October, the gardens come alive with various events:
Picture
View of the Gardens from Latona's Fountain
Musical Fountains (Weekends):
  • Different groves and fountains have water features accompanied by baroque music.

Musical Gardens (Weekdays):
  • ​During the summer, while there are no water displays, one can enjoy music blaring through hidden speakers as one explores the gardens.
    ​
Night Fountains Show (Saturday evenings):
  • Only once a week, throughout the evening, one can see the gardens come to life with water features, lasers, and even a fireworks display.
The Royal Serenade
  • There is also the chance to join a French-style ball in the Hall of Mirrors, before or after the show. One can join the musicians and dancers of the company "L'Éventail" and the "Les Folies Françoises"

Estate of Trianon

Initially the village of Trianon, this land was bought by Louis XIV in 1661. It originally housed the Grand Trianon in 1687, before the Petit Trianon was added by Lous XV in 1768 and then Marie-Antoinette added the Queen’s Hamlet in 1786.

Considered a place of solitude and solace for the Royal Family to escape courtly affairs, this area served as a place for walks, hold dinners, and put on smaller parties and shows.

​The Estate was created under Napoleon I and separated from the Estate of Versailles; however, these were combined again in 1910.
Grand Trianon:
  • An interesting architectural design which uses a colonnaded gallery in the center (“Peristyle”), which features a courtyard on one side and the gardens on the other.
  • Louis XIV built it to spend time with his mistress, Madame de Maintenon.
  • Note the pink marble panels, which gave the palace its nickname of “Marble Trianon”. 
  • The first structure was called the “porcelain Trianon” since it was covered with Chinese-style blue and white earthenware tiles.
    Napoleon I moved into the palace with his wife, Marie-Louise (great-niece of Marie-Antoinette), while King Louis-Philippe also lived here during the July monarchy. Napoleon III turned it into a museum of eclectic objects, and in 1963, General de Gaulle changed it into a presidential residence to receive foreign guests.
  • Surprisingly, most of the apartments have maintained their original appearance
Petit Trianon and Queen's Hamlet:
A neoclassical piece built by Louis XV for his mistress Comtesse du Barry, it also allowed the king to enjoy more of the gardens. Louis XVI gifted Marie-Antoinette the Petit Trianon as a gift. In the gardens, she commissioned the creation of the Queen’s Hamlet, a small model village based off the traditional rustic architecture in Normandy. While she mainly educated her children here, she also used it for walks and hosting guests.

Food

One can dine at Cafe Angelique on the premises of the Palace of Versailles; alternatively, there are great options in the town of Versailles:
​
  • Idam Versailles: A delicious Korean restaurant serving bibimbap, banchan, and even bingsoo!
  • Boulangerie Maison Desvaux: Grab a quick sandwich or pastry at this boulangerie
  • Chez Lazare: Classic French fare with formules.

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