Visiting Versailles: Tips For A Successful Day Trip
If you plan on spending several days in Paris, a trip to the incredible château de Versailles is an absolute must. History lovers, garden enthusiasts, and lovers of pretty things will be amazed at the beauty both within the palace and on its sprawling grounds. It is no small wonder that this former home to French royalty receives over 5 million visitors each year to the chateau alone, not including the 10 million who come to visit the gardens. With popular tourist destinations such as this, it is important to know what your in for before you go to optimize your visit. Keep reading for my tips on how to own your visit to Versailles like Marie Antoinette would have!
How To Get There
The easiest and cheapest way to go is by train, which takes about an hour depending on which station you are leaving from. The RER C heads directly to Versailles from Paris. Simply reach the end of the line and you will arrive at the palace after a short walk. Be sure to purchase round trip tickets in Paris to avoid waiting in lines at the Versailles station if you are visiting during high season.
How Much Time To Allow
Before going to Versailles, it is helpful to do some research on what there is to see. I have had many friends visit and comment on how they had no idea how large Versailles was (over 2,000 acres of palace grounds), and regretted not allowing for more time there. If you have very limited time in Paris (or palaces aren’t really your thing), you will at least be able to see the palace and some of the gardens within four hours, however for a more full tour of the palace, gardens, and Grand and Petit Trianons I would say that at least 6 hours are needed, depending on if you are visiting during prime tourist season. On my first visit I spent the majority of the day at Versailles and left my schedule that night open, which was a great choice.
Tickets & Lines
With so many visitors, the lines at Versailles can be incredibly long, as I witnessed on my first visit during the summer-the lines were over 2 hours long. To avoid waiting in one line, you can purchase your tickets online in advance, thus heading straight to the line for the palace. I also suggest arriving to the palace early, when I visited my second time in winter I only waited 10 minutes because we were some of the first people there.
Pro tip: If you are a student or have a student visa, you can get in for free, just be sure to bring your passport!
Visit Highlights 
- State Apartments
- King’s Apartment, Appartement du roi
- Queen’s Private Apartment, Petit appartement de la reine
- Hall of Mirrors, Galerie des Glaces
- Chapels of Versailles
- Apollo Fountain, Bassin d’Apollon
- Grand Trianon
- Petit Trianon
What To Eat
After spending several hours wandering the palace and its grounds, you will probably find yourself getting very hungry. While there are places to eat in the gardens, they are rather expensive, and, from what I recall of my first visit, not that delicious. To save money and keep from starving, bring some picnic food with you and enjoy it in the gardens.
Have you been to Versailles? Is so, comment on any tips you may have and let me know what your favorite parts were!
Great post! I have yet to visit Versailles, let alone France! Versailles is at the top of my list for places to see when I do get to France. I thought about doing a 1/2 day there but now I think it will be a full day. Any tips for where to buy inexpensive food for a picnic there?
I’m glad you read this post before going to get a feel for what a visit is like! I would either purchase it before and in Paris, or in the town of Versailles!
I am going on a Sunday in March. We already have our tickets and tickets for a 9:30am apartment tour. Do you think the markets are open early on a Sunday morning?I would have never thought about bringing in food! I am really looking forward to riding bikes around the garden! It’s been years since I was in Paris. I loved your post!
Hello Amber! How exciting, I am sure you will have an amazing time. if you are arriving really early then I would recommend shopping for snacks the day before, as nearby shops/markets probably won’t be open early on a Sunday. I hope you have an awesome visit, I love Versailles!
How early would you recommend getting there and what is the website to purchase the tickets? My husband and I are going in a couple of weeks. I’m so excited
I recommend taking the train! You can book your tickets on the Versailles website! I hope you have an amazing time, I absolutely love Paris and Versailles is incredible.
WONDERFUL!
I don’t fit your audience, but will comment anyway. We went to Versailles, tagging an extra day on to the end of a Rick Steves’ tour. “We” are a family of 4; mom, dad, teen daughter and grade-school son. We were in Europe during high season (middle of summer) but wanted to hit the palace and grounds anyway. My best advice in addition to all of the wise things you said is this – embrace it! Families your people will be tired, the grounds are extensive, the money you can spend adds up quick – just embrace it and take a hold of this chance and when you get home, cut back. We knew our children would be tired so we planned little stops (notice, plural) at some of the cafe’s to have a macaroon, an ice cream and other treats. We splurged on a golf cart for touring the gardens. We lounged in a grassy area of the park for awhile and just laid down. Don’t try to “conquer”, but embrace it. And even though it’s a once-in-a-life-time deal for a family from Kansas, we looked at it as though we’ll come back someday.
Cheers!!!
Hi Natalie! Thank you so much for your insightful comment! It is so great to hear that your entire family enjoyed their visit to Versailles. It can be quite a long day, but it sounds like you had some great strategies for visiting the palace! I’m so glad you had the opportunity to visit, and I’m sure you will find yourself back someday! Happy travels!
I just purchased the Paris Museum Passes and I’m wondering if I would be able to skip the line with them. Any idea?
Hi Manuela, I’m actually not sure about this! I would definitely check on the Paris Museum Pass website before you go so that you know for sure. Hope that helps!
Hello! I’m planning my visit, as I’m travelling in two weeks and I’m so excited!! Can you enter the palace with food? A bottle of wine for a French picnic? Thanks!!
Hi Adriana! While you can’t walk around Versailles with food in your hands, I believe you can store items for a picnic on the grounds before or after your visit to the chateau. Hope that clears things up and that you have a lovely time, I adore Versailles!
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