All You Need to Know about Visiting the Palace of Versailles
Versailles is one of the best Paris day trip destinations and a one-of-a-kind place you should visit at least once in your life. The Palace of Versailles is visited by 10 million people every year and tens of thousands in one day. Although the estate spreads over an unimaginably massive 2,000 acres, the Palace is ALWAYS overcrowded.
Don’t be too quick to scratch off this tourist-ridden place from your bucket list! This post is all about the strategies to make the best out of your day trip to Versailles. I will cover how to get to Versailles from Paris, the best day to visit Versailles, where to get tickets and skip-the-line access to buy, how to beat the crowd in summer, and all other valuable tips you need to know before visiting Versailles.
Table of Contents
Check out my other articles to plan your perfect trip to the City of Light!
- Start here >> Paris Itinerary for 4 days
- Then this >> Where to Stay in Paris First Time
- Should you buy Paris Pass or Paris Museum Pass?
- 10 Best Small Museums in Paris Without the Crowds
- Female Solo Travelers >> How to Take a Fabulous Solo Trip to Paris & 15 Things to Do Alone
- Shopping: 10 Trendy Travel Shoes for Paris
- Shopping: Best Shopping Guide in Le Marais
- Food: 25 Iconic French Desserts in Paris
- Food: 20 Best Casual Restaurants in Paris
- Paris Neighborhood Guide: Hidden Gems in Montmartre
- Paris Neighborhood Guide: 22 Amazing Things to Do in Le Marais
- 7 Most Beautiful Covered Passages in Paris
- Day Trip: How to Survive Overcrowded Palace of Versailles in Summer
- Day Trip: Best Paris Day Trip for Spring & Summer: Giverny Monet’s Gardens
- Weekend Trips from Paris by Train or Car
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Versailles Open Hours
Palace: 9 am – 6:30 pm (Closed on Mondays.)
Estate of Trianon: 12 pm – 6:30 pm (Closed on Mondays.)
Park: 7 am – 8:30 pm
Gardens: 8 am – 8:30 pm (closes at 6 pm during the low season)
**Special Event Days: Musical Fountain Shows (2023)
April 1 – Oct. 29 | Every Sat. & Sun.
May 2 – June 27 | Every Tue.
April 7 (Fri.), April 10 (Mon.), May 8 (Mon.), May 18 (Ascension Thursday), May 29 (Mon.), July 14 (Fri.), Aug. 15 (Tue.)
**Special Event Days: Night Fountain Shows (2023)
June 10 – Sept. 23 | Every Sat.
July 14, Aug. 15, Sept. 23
The garden is closed at 5:30 pm for event preparation.
Versailles Ticket Price (2022)
*Special event days: Musical Fountain Shows, Musical Gardens, Fountains Night Show, etc.
**Reduced Rates: Some reduced rates are available for eligible visitors. (e.g., Paris Museum Pass holders, EU residents 6-25 yo, or non-EU residents 6-17 yo). Check your eligibility for free entry and reduced rates.
Don’t forget to book your time slot here! It’s mandatory now.
How to Get to Versailles from Paris
Paris to Versailles by Train
RER C Train: Saint-Michel Notre Dame – Versailles Château Rive Gauche
Taking the RER C Train is the most common and easiest way to get to Versailles. RER C Train runs east to west along the Seine River. Head over to one of the RER C stations. From Saint-Michel Notre Dame, it takes about 40 minutes (one-way, Paris-Versailles zone 5) to reach the Versailles Château Rive Gauche station. Walk 10 minutes to the Palace, or take the TRI bus.
SNCF Train TER N: Montparnasse – Versailles Chantiers
If you are staying in the south of Paris, take TER N from Gare de Montparnasse towards Gare de Rambouillet and get off at Gare de Versailles Chantiers. The non-stop train zooms you in 15 minutes. Walk 20 minutes to the Palace.
SNCF Train Line L: Saint Lazare – Versailles Rive Droite
If you are in the North or near 8e arrondissement, take train Line L from Gare Saint Lazare to Gare Versailles Rive Droite. The ride takes about 35 minutes. Walk 20 minutes to the Palace.
Check your train trip costs here.
Insider’s Tip: The T+ tickets (Paris metro ticket) is only valid for Paris zone 1-3. For travels from Paris to Versailles, buy a Billet Île de France.
Paris to Versailles by Bus
RATP Bus: From Pont de Sèvres station (the last station on the Metro line 9), take bus #171 and get off at the last stop. The journey is about 30 minutes with no traffic.
Why Should You Visit the Palace of Versailles?
Just the outskirts of Paris in the Île-de-France region, Château de Versailles was the principal residence of the French kings from Louis XIV to Louis XVI. Europe’s most opulent royal palace is where you can glimpse the lavish life of the French monarchy.
It is an invaluable UNESCO cultural heritage site. The Palace of Versailles is an exceptional model of European royal residence, showcasing the power of the French monarchy. The Estate of Versailles has been embellished by several generations of architects, landscape artists, ornamentalists and various artists.
Versailles is truly a fascinating place filled with history, architecture, arts, gossip, rumors and drama. Who can resist?
Fun Facts about the Palace of Versailles
- It was originally a hunting lodge for Louis XIII until Louis XIV constructed the Palace of Versailles in 1661.
- It took 40 years for André Le Nôtre to perfect and complete the French formal gardens.
- Did you know that the gigantic Palace was not just a home for the King? The Sun King built this glamorous property to entertain and captivate nobles to prevent them from plotting against him.
When is the Best Time to Visit Versailles?
High Season: April to October
The Palace and gardens are the most beautiful in summer. Flowers and lush green trees decorate the elegant gardens more lively and vibrant. It is a great time to go picnic. There are musical gardens and other events.
The only downside is that the entire place would be jam-packed with tourists. (I have never experienced a crowd like this anywhere in Europe!)
Low Season: November to March
If you want to avoid the crowds, winter is the time to go. The gardens might not be as lively and grandeur as in summer. However, if your main interest is the Palace, you may benefit from having less crowd.
Insider’s Tip: The Versailles Estate is open free of charge on the first Sunday in the low season.
When is the Best Day to Visit Versailles?
Thursday has the least crowd. Avoid weekends like COVID-19! Between 11 am and 3 pm is the busiest time because most tourists will get there from Paris.
Where to buy Versailles Tickets?
1. Guided Tours (Strongly Recommended)
See <<How to Skip the Line at the Palace of Versailles>> below to understand why I strongly recommend joining the guided tours.
2. Online (Recommended)
Buy here>> Passport Tickets: Palace of Versailles & Gardens entry
3. On-site ticket: (NOT Recommended)
Go to the Main Ticket Office in the South Ministers Wing for regular tickets. You may also book a guided tour at the information desk in the same building. The ticket office closes at 5:45 pm.
4. Paris Museum Pass: (NOT Recommended)
Paris Museum Pass grants free access to the Palace and Trianon Estate. HOWEVER, based on my personal experience, I do NOT recommend using the Museum Pass for Versailles. I learned it the hard way by wasting 2.5 hours in the line to get in. (The Museum Pass was effortless to use at other museums and monuments with skip-the-line privileges.)
Most people spend an entire day at Versailles. Considering a passport only costs €20-27, using a one-day worth of Museum Pass in Versailles is not the most efficient.
However, if you want to use Paris Museum Pass, combine it with a Passport to take advantage of priority access to the Palace). Paris Museum Pass holders can get it at a reduced rate (€10).
>> Paris P