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There's no better place to experience the majesty of Louis XIV's France than the royal estate at Versailles — the stunning chateau, magnificent gardens, the fountains, the stunning Hall of Mirrors. It's an experience not to miss. It's also immensely popular. To skip the long lines, we always book a skip-the-line tour with an expert guide who makes the past come alive. Let's look at our top recommendations, all of which include transportation from Paris.

Our Top-Rated Versailles Experiences

1. The Best of Versailles with Priority Access & Gardens… Our #1 choice

2. Versailles Guided Half-Day Tour with Skip-the-Line Entry… With an expert interpreter/guide

3. Full-Day Bike Tour + Skip-the-Line Chateau Access… Visit Versailles on two wheels

4. Visit Versailles + Monet's Gardens at Giverny… On one glorious day trip

1. The Best of Versailles with VIP Entry…

2. Versailles Guided Half-Day Tour…

3. Versailles Bike Tour & Chateau…

4. Visit Versailles + Monet's Gardens at Giverny…

1. The Best of Versailles with Priority Access

This is our number-one choice for a priority-access visit to Versailles. Instead of worrying about trains & tickets, choose to visit Versailles this easy and relaxing way. From central Paris it's a quick ride to the palace, where you arrive refreshed and ready to explore. There, you begin to discover the opulence, beauty, and history of the palace on a skip-the-line guided tour.

What we like about this Versailles activity is that you can include a guided visit to the Queen's Hamlet , Marie Antoinette's fantasy rustic farm. You also visit the Petit Trianon , the mini-palace where Louis XV and Louis XVI liked to relax and escape hectic court life. Be sure to choose the full-day, 9½-hour option to truly experience the best of Versailles,s

1. Palace of Versailles + Marie Antoinette Tour

2. Versailles Half-Day, Skip-the-Line Tour

The day begins in central Paris where you meet your driver for a small-group (maximum eight people), priority-access visit to Versailles. A professional guide introduces you to the best rooms in the chateaux, including Hall of Mirrors and the Royal Apartments. There is still plenty of time for you to explore the amazing gardens.

Features of the Tour

3. versailles by bike.

This tour is immensely popular with visitors… and with Paris Insiders Guide readers. It starts in Paris, where you meet up with your expert guide and catch the RER urban train to Versailles. There you pick up your bike. First stop — the bustling city market to buy ingredients for lunch. Then you ride through the gardens of the Chateau de Versailles , along tree-lined trails, past fountains, through the forest, leaving walkers behind!

The French royal families used to enjoy picnics by the Grand Canal, and that's exactly what you will do. You're not done yet, there's still the palace itself to explore before you return to Paris on the RER. The 9-hour tour includes everything. This activity runs in most months, with a break from December to February.

4. Your Own Private Versailles

Versailles looks even better when you're on a private tour. Your driver picks you up at your Paris address for a quick trip directly to the royal estate where priority entrance gets you past the long ticket lines. Inside, you'll be guided to areas previously seen only by dignitaries. See the Hall of Mirrors, the king and queen's private residences, and many other rooms. There's even time to explore the magnificent gardens.

More To Know About Visiting Versailles

The Fountains of Versailles

Water has been an important design feature of the royal estate since the very beginning. In its heyday, there were 2,400 fountains operating in the garden and park. Today there are only 50, yet they still contribute to the glory of Versailles. Come with us on a virtual stroll as we visit the most popular fountains as well as other important water features.

Versailles' Gardens & Park

The Versailles estate covers nearly 2,000 acres and includes the chateau (natch), a collection of formal gardens, and a large woodland park. Learn about these gardens and the park in our guide. By the way, did you know entrance to the gardens is (usually) free?

Versailles – Its History & The Top 5 Highlights

Before you hop in the Eurovan and head out for the royal estate, it's nice to know a bit about its history. Like, who built Versailles? And, who lived there? We also share five highlights of Versailles that you don't want to miss.

9 Things We Learned on Our Skip-the-Line Tour

When you don't have to stand in a long lineup you have more time to learn fascinating details about Versailles. Here are nine things we learned on our recent visit.

The Restaurants of Versailles

It really takes a full day to explore Versailles. (For instance, it takes an hour to walk from the chateau to the far end of the Grande Canal. Plus there is the Trianon & Marie Antoinette's toy farm to to explore.) So, you're going to need refreshments, bathroom breaks, and rest. Taking time for a meal in one of the eateries on site will take care of all three of those needs.

On a recent visit to Versailles we had a chance to explore the options — from a high-end restaurant to a tea salon to casual dining. We'll share our findings.

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Versailles resources.

View a Large Map of the Gardens and Park …

The chateau itself is open daily (except Mondays) from 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM. Plan for a minimum ninety minutes for your visit. During the summer months, it's certainly recommended to arrive by 9 AM to avoid the crowds. (The crowds are why we recommend skip-the-Line tours .

Trianon Palaces and Marie-Antoinette's Estate

These include the Petit Trianon, the Grand Trianon and the Queen's Hamlet. Hours are noon to 6:30. Always closed on Mondays.

It's the perfect place for a walk, renting a boat on the Grand Canal, going for a bike ride. The Park is open free of charge daily from 7 AM to 8:30 PM. In the winter months the park opens at 8 AM and closes at 6 PM.

The Gardens

The gardens are also free of charge except for days when there are a fountains show or Musical Gardens show. The gardens are open daily from 8 AM to 8:30 PM, closing at 6 PM in the winter months. Sometimes the gardens close at 5:30 for special events. Plan for at least 2 hours for your visit.

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A Day Trip To Versailles: Complete Guide & Visitor Tips

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This article is a guest post written by Abigail Dalton.

Are you wondering if you should take a day trip to Versailles? Well, we just visited this incredible place, and it’s definitely somewhere you should be adding to your Paris itinerary. It’s absolutely mind-blowing.

To be honest, a visit to Versailles Palace was not on our agenda, but the opportunity arose, and we decided to make it the last stop on our road trip before heading home. At the start of our trip, we visited Strasbourg and cruised around Alsaces’s wine region , but it never crossed our minds we would be ending the trip at this gorgeous site.

We’ve been to Paris before but didn’t manage to visit and so on this trip, and since it was our last stop in France , we were keen to make the most of our day out at Versailles Palace. And we did, even though it was rainy and windy.

In this article, I’m going to share everything we learned from our day trip to Versailles so you can plan an incredible visit as well.

Abigail is the owner and creator behind I’m Going On An Adventure . She focuses on world travel and outdoor adventure, giving first-hand experiences to help her readers plan their perfect travel and make the best memories.

Is A Day Trip To The Palace Of Versailles Worth It?

Even though we visited in mid-November on a cloudy and windy day, I genuinely enjoyed our day trip to Versailles. It was an attraction I have wanted to visit for a while now, having heard and read some interesting articles and seen many beautiful photos. 

You’ll find its sheer size quite breathtaking, along with the decor and manicured gardens. It was a lovely visit where we were able to explore the palace and gardens and learn about the French aristocracy. It’s certainly a place which would appeal if you’re looking for a blend of history and grandeur. 

I found the palace stunning, rooms like the Hall of Mirrors and the Apartments of Mesdames being my favourites. These are filled with intricate details, and if you get the audio guide (I recommend you do) you’ll learn a great deal about how daily life for these royals was carried out. 

It’s a destination for anyone who has a love for French culture, architecture and royal history.

For us, the vibe was just fantastic, even in early winter . It was still busy within the palace but not too bad, and although the gardens were not at their prettiest, it was nice to walk around and not be swamped by tourists.

It’s a superb choice for a day trip and promises a mix of awe and enjoyment, and since it’s super easy to get from Paris to Versailles, a visit can easily be added to any Paris itinerary.   

Best Day Trips From Paris To Versailles

Although we didn’t visit from Paris, most people enjoy day trips from the capital. It’s possible to book anything from full-day guided tours and skip-the-line tickets to basic entrance. However, it’s important to pre-book your visit, even in low season. ( Check availabilities here )

With this in mind and since we loved our visit, I wanted to highlight the top three Versailles day trips to help you plan whether you’re coming from Paris or not.

• Skip-the-Line-Tour of Palace & Gardens with Transfer from Paris – see prices here
• Versailles Palace & Garden, Full Access – check availabilities
• From Paris: Skip-the-Line Palace & Bike Tour – see booking info
• Versailles Golf Cart Tour with Palace Entry – check availabilities here

About the Versailles Estate

The Versailles Estate, which is generally what people refer to when discussing Versailles, comprises three main sections:

• the Palace of Versailles
• the Gardens
• & the Trianon Estate

Its history is marked by significant events over the centuries. For instance, the Hall of Mirrors witnessed the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, formally concluding World War I – an interesting fact we discovered during our visit.

It’s facts like these we absolutely love learning about, and Versailles is full of them.

The palace, initially a hunting lodge constructed in 1624, underwent a transformation in 1661 under Louis XIV, reflecting the absolute power of the French monarchy.  I previously mentioned its size, but its opulence is also breathtaking…it’s no wonder the French revolted.

Architect Louis Le Vau, landscape architect Andre Le Notre, and painter-decorator Charles Le Brun collaborated to bring Louis XIV’s vision to life, completing the palace in 1682.

The 18th century witnessed expansions, including the Petit Trianon (residence of Marie Antoinette) and the Queen’s Hamlet. Yet, it also experienced turbulent times with the outbreak of the French Revolution in 1789. The royal family left Versailles, and the palace underwent various repurposing.

Today, Versailles holds UNESCO World Heritage status , attracting visitors globally. Its rich history, from royal decadence to revolutionary upheavals, adds a layer of intrigue to an iconic site.

Overview: A Day Trip To Versailles Palace

Time you should plan for your visit: 6 Hours

Cost: Passport €21.50 (recommended entrance-only ticket option, book here ) + Audio Guide €5

Overall, you can expect to find a lavish and well-kept royal palace turned museum with grand formal gardens. Inside, you’ll wander through rooms filled with centuries-old furniture, stone statues, paintings, intricate objects and historic artefacts. 

Throughout the estate, there are information plaques providing details and usage of each chamber. Whether it be the royal apartments or galleries showcasing the history of the palace. 

When planning your day trip to Versailles, you’ll need to consider a few things. 

• Ensure you allocate enough time to explore the grounds, given the vastness of both the palace and the gardens. We spent a full day walking around. 
• With that said, remember to wear comfortable walking shoes as you’ll be covering a significant amount of ground. (You can book a Golf Cart Tour here )
• Take a look at the timetable for special events like the Musical Fountains Show or Musical Gardens to have the best experience. 
• Consider grabbing a guidebook or selecting an audio guide to get a better understanding of the history that Versailles presents.
• Don’t forget to pick up a map at the entrance!

Dates and Opening Times

• The Palace and the Estate of Trianon are open every day except on Mondays. 
• The Palace opens from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm (6:30 pm during high season)
• The Estate of Trianon opens from 12:00 pm to 5:30 pm. (6:30 pm during high season)
• The Gardens are open daily from 8.00 am – 6.00 pm – (8:30 pm in high season)

High season runs from 1st of April to 31st of October, Low season from 1st of November to 31st of March.

#1 Visit The Palace Of Versailles

The Palace has two accessible levels and although not all areas are open to the public, there is enough on-show to keep you busy for a few hours. Especially if you like to absorb all the information. 

For us, we spent just over two hours inside the Palace . We do enjoy our history and purchased the audio guide, but I will say that towards the end it does become rather repetitive. We are also not huge fans of art, and so moved quicker through the galleries.

There is a route to follow, colour-coded and easy to navigate . I recommend following this route. 

You will start on the ground level in the Dauphin’s Apartment (green) before entering the Gallery of the History of the Palace (purple).

On the second level, you will start at Louis XIV Rooms (orange) before moving on to the Hall of Mirrors (red) and finally, the Gallery of Battles (blue). There are a few other rooms within these sections as well.

I enjoyed the Dauphin’s Apartments, the Apartments of Mesdames and the Hall of Mirrors the most. By the end, we were ready to explore the gardens and get some fresh air.

#2 Explore The Gardens of Versailles

Note: the gardens are free of charge from November to March

The gardens and groves are wonderfully manicured and even in winter were lovely to walk around. 

The Gardens of Versailles are incredibly vast! We didn’t walk around their entirety, as it would take hours, if not days. However, there is a route through them, passing the Grand Canal, to the estate of Trianon.

Most visitors will follow this route however I urge you to explore further, especially around the groves as there are many hidden fountains.

The largest is Neptune Fountain which has fountain shows during the summer alongside the Mirror Pool, Apollo’s Fountain, and Latona’s Fountain among others.

#3 Discover The Estate Of Trianon

The Estate of Trianon is a separate estate which was used as Louis XIV’s retreat to escape the pomp of court . There are three buildings located inside: the Grand Trianon, the Petit Trianon and the Queen’s Hamlet.

The whole estate is much more modest in comparison to the palace. Although the Grand Trianon still showcases a pink-marble facade. It served as the meeting place for Louis XIV and his lover Madame de Montespan. 

The Petit Trianon which was later inhabited by Marie Antoinette exudes a more intimate charm. It’s surrounded by English-style gardens, which you can wander around to reach the Queen’s Hamlet.

A surprise for us – it resembles more rustic farmhouse buildings than those fit for royalty.  

The estate therefore offers a glimpse into the private lives of royalty, surrounded by lovely gardens and picturesque lakes.

How To Get To Versailles?

There are many ways of getting to the Palace of Versailles, whether you’re coming from Paris or from another direction.

However, for the purpose of this article, I’m going to discuss getting to the Palace of Versailles from Paris. It’s possible to reach Versailles by train, car, and bus, or you can choose a guided tour. 

If you’re wondering how far the Palace of Versailles is from Paris, it’s between 20 min and 1h hours (by train). However, this can differ depending on where you depart from in Paris. 

#1 Join a Guided Tour

One of the best ways to take a day trip to Versailles is on a guided tour. Booking a tour gives you an easy and informative journey with a knowledgeable guide who will be able to provide historical insights while you explore. Personally, I enjoy these tours when I want a stress-free option.

It’s possible to arrange a guided tour from Paris which will include transport and expenses, or there are options to join tours at the Palace if you’re already in Versailles.

• From Paris: Transfer to Versailles with Skip the Line Tour & Garden Access ( book here )
• From Versailles: Skip the Line Tour of Palace and Garden Acess ( book her e )
• Time Saver: Combine Versailles with the Gardens in Giverny – More Info here

#2 Take the Train from Paris to Versailles

The most popular way to reach Versailles if you choose not to join a tour is to hop on the train. From Paris, it will take about 40 minutes. At most, it will take you 1.5 hours to reach Versailles, depending on where you are traveling from in Paris.

It’s quick and convenient, and that’s why day trips to Versailles from Paris are super popular!

You have three options travelling to Versailles by train: 

• The RER C train line (stops e.g., at the Eiffel Tower, St. Michel and Musée d’Orsay)
• The train line L (starting at Saint Lazare)
• The train line N (starting in the south of Paris at Montparnasse)

You can expect to pay around €7 – 10€ for a round trip. 

#3 Take the bus to Versailles

If you prefer a more scenic route then jumping on a bus might be a good option for you, although it’s not the fastest route. It does, however, provide a relaxed journey, allowing you to enjoy the surroundings and get a glimpse of suburban life outside Paris.

There are regular buses between Paris and Versailles. The most popular starting point is from the Pont de Sèvres bus stop in Paris — RATP bus line 171 which runs every 15–20 minutes — to the Place d’Armes Versailles bus stop and costs €4. 

#4 Drive to Paris in your Car

The fastest road connection between Paris and Versailles is via the N118 and the A86. Departing from the heart of Paris, travel west along the Seine using the D910 until reaching Pont de Sevres. Cross the bridge and stay to the left to proceed onto N118, before continuing on A86.

Simply follow the indicated signage, and in less than 40 minutes, you’ll arrive at the Palace of Versailles. Just be aware the traveling time can vary depending on rush hours.

#5 Take a Taxi (Uber)

If you are in a group and plan to travel to Versailles for around €60 you can book a taxi to get you there in 40 minutes!

Best Tips On Visiting Versailles

• Grab Your Tickets Early: It’s important to purchase your Versailles tickets in advance if you’re not visiting on a guided tour – the easiest way to book your ticket is here
• Time it Right: Mornings and weekdays are your best bet to avoid the crowds, although it’s busy throughout the year, winter is quieter. Make sure you check the website and official schedule for opening times.
• Garden Adventures: It’s not only the palace which is stunning, you’ll love exploring the Gardens of Versailles as well. Set aside a couple of hours to wander around the groves and fountains and if you visit in Summer, there are Fountain Shows and Musical Garden events.
• Joyride in a Golf Cart: We didn’t do it, but for €42 for the hour you can rent a golf cart and ride around the estate. It looked like a fun way to visit the Trianon Estate and discover more of the Gardens within the royal estate.
• Comfy Shoes are Key: Versailles is a walking attraction where you’ll be on your feet for most of the day, so it’s super important to wear comfy shoes.
• Check for Special Events: Before you book your day trip to Versailles, suss out any exhibitions or events. Temporary exhibits often reveal hidden gems of history or art.
• Take a Packed Lunch: If you’re looking to save a few bucks, then consider taking snacks with you. Most of the restaurants within the estate are rather pricey, although there are a few affordable options.

Where To Eat In Versailles

Since you’ll be spending most of the day at Versailles you’ll be happy to know that there are loads of places to eat within the grounds. Below are a handful of popular restaurants to help you plan your day trip (but there are more!).

Picnic – Free

You can bring your own food and enjoy a picnic in the park. The gardens are open every day from 8:00 am to 8:30 pm in the high season (April to October) and 8:00 am to 6:00 pm in the low season (November to March).

Tip: The Marché Notre Dame in Versailles is a lovely place to stock up on food for your picnic. The market halls are open Tuesday to Sunday. The outside market is open Tuesday, Friday and Sunday mornings.

Restaurant Angelina – Expensive

The restaurant Angelina is located at the end of the palace tour/route on the first floor. It was busy when we passed with a long queue already forming. 

It’s a tearoom which offers sweet and savoury dishes and is open from Tuesday to Friday, 10 am to 5.30 pm in high season (April to October) and 9:30 am to 5 pm in low season (November to March). Saturday to Sunday, 10 am to 6.30 pm, closed on 1 May, 25 December and 1 January.

La Girandole – Mid-Range

In the heart of the Gardens, La Gironde looked like a nice place for breakfast, lunch, or a snack. It has a terrace overlooking the grounds as well, if you visit on a sunny day and want a delightful view. 

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm, and closed on Monday. (Annual closure from 8 to 28 January 2024).

Le Dauphin – Budget

In the middle of the Groves, we stopped here for a coffee and to rest our tired feet. Le Daupin is a small café in between the Palace and the Estate of Trianon and great for grabbing a sweet or savoury snack and a warm drink. 

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm. Closed on Monday. 

La Petite Venise – Expensive 

Tip: Book your table with The Fork and save €10 when signing up with the code 83FDC2B7

For Italian cuisine in a rustic setting, you can enjoy a lounge area and shaded terrace perfect for warm sunny days. It’s between Apollo’s Fountain and the Grand Canal.

Open every day from 11.45 am to 6 pm (closed at 5 pm from November to March).

In Summary: A Day Trip To Versailles Palace

I like to finish with a few final thoughts about our trip to Versailles, the parts we enjoyed the most and those we didn’t enjoy as much. However, overall, I think a day trip to Versailles is a superb idea – it’s a lovely attraction with a lot of history and educational elements. 

The sections we weren’t as keen on as others include the galleries and the Estate of Trianon. But, this is just personnel preference as the galleries, for example, would be stirring for anyone who enjoyed art.

As for the Estate of Trianon, I think had we visited in Spring/Summer it would have been more impressive, but the buildings lacked the same pizazz the Palace exudes and looked rather windswept.

That said, we did enjoy strolling around the grounds spotting mushrooms! And, as for the Queen’s Hamlet, it was a wonderful little rustic area. 

The Gardens and Groves as a whole we loved. The trees were still changing colours so we had some lovely yellow and orange foliage to enjoy, but most of the statues had already been covered up in preparation for winter.

With this in mind, we would like to return in summer, if only to stroll around the gardens again.

The Palace was very impressive and well-organized. I enjoyed my visit, and therefore would recommend a day trip to Versailles to anyone visiting Paris or the surrounding area as a must-do activity. 

You might also like these articles :

• 22 memorable day trips from Paris by Train
• A Day trip to Reims from Paris: Champagne & History
• Monet’s Garden – visit Giverny from Paris (2024)

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Everything about tourist attractions

How to reach Palace of Versailles – by tour bus, train and car

The Palace of Versailles is one of the most visited Royal residences in the World.

The extravagant palace offers insight into French history and the flashy lives of the former French Kings.

After the Eiffel Tower, it is France’s most famous attraction and gets more than 10 million tourists every year.

Palace of Versailles is 20 Kms (12 Miles) outside of Paris, and in this article, we share how you can get there.

Top Palace of Versailles Tickets

# Half-day self-guided bus tour # Palace of Versailles with Audio Guide and Transfers # Guided full-day bus tour to Versailles

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The Palace of Versailles is in the city of Versailles in the Ile-de-France region of Northern France.

It is 20 Kms (12 Miles) West-Southwest of Paris.

Address:  Place d’Armes, 78000 Versailles, France.  Get Directions

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Most of the tourists stay in Paris and take a day trip to Palace of Versailles .

If you take a train from Paris to Versailles, the traveling time will be around 50 minutes.

You must walk the last one kilometer (0.6 Miles) from the station, which means the time taken to your destination in Versailles will be one hour.

If you book a tour bus from Paris to Versailles Palace, it will take an hour.

However, if you take a taxi to Versailles, you can reach in approximately 45 minutes.

With approximately two hours lost in travel, visitors usually spend five to six hours at the Versailles Estate, consisting of the Palace, the Gardens, and Queen Marie-Antoinette’s domain.

Of these five to six hours, at least two to three hours are spent inside the Palace of Versailles .

Bus tours from Paris to Versailles

Hundreds of tour buses travel from Paris to Versailles every day, carrying thousands of tourists from all over the World.

All Palace of Versailles bus tours from Paris, come with ‘Skip The Line’ tickets, which means, you don’t need to stand in the line.

The ‘Skip The Line’ ticket saves a lot of waiting time – sometimes even up to 3 hours.

These bus tours are ideal for getting to the Palace of Versailles if you travel with family, kids, or seniors.

We highly recommend bus tours to Versailles for multiple reasons –

1. You don’t have to worry about transportation to Versailles and back 2. You travel in luxury and comfort 3. You won’t have to queue up for hours to get into the Palace of Versailles 4. A greeter or a expert human guide is always there with you to help

You can choose from three bus tours to Versailles –

This is a four-hour tour where an air-conditioned bus takes you from Paris to the gates of Palace of Versailles.

You can choose from two starting times – 8.15 am and 1.15 pm.

Your tickets are already booked so you skip the long lines and enjoy a self-guided audio tour of the Palace.

The audio guide, available in 11 languages, helps better understand rooms such as the State apartments, Hall of Mirrors, Royal Chapel, etc.

*On the tour booking page select ‘half-day’

Ticket Prices

Adult Ticket (18 to 65 years): €85 Child Ticket (4 to 17 years): €80 Senior Ticket (66+ years): €85 I nfant Ticket (up to 3 years): Free

Skip the long ticket lines to the Palace and Gardens of Versailles , and discover them at your own pace with an audio-guided tour.

Enjoy a choice of departure points for your bus transfer from central Paris.

Enjoy a comfortable roundtrip journey from Paris to the palace, visit the glittering Hall of Mirrors, and relax in the Palace Gardens. 

Upon arrival at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed monument, a trilingual host will first escort you to the château.

After 7 to 8 hours, the air-conditioned coach drops you back in Paris.

*On the tour booking page select your preferred meeting point.

Adult Ticket (18+ years): €75 Child Ticket (4 to 17 years): €59 Infant Ticket (up to 3 years): Free entry

This 8-hour guided tour of Palace of Versailles starts from Paris at 8.15 am.

Your guided tour starts in Paris itself when you get picked up from your hotel.

Once at the Palace, you skip the lines and enter for a guided tour within its majestic walls.

After you have seen the State Apartments, Hall of Mirrors, the King and Queen’s Bedroom, etc, you take a leisurely walk in the beautiful gardens.

After a lunch break at La Petite Venise , a restaurant close to the Grand Canal, you get to spend more time exploring the Estate.

Ticket Cost: €2100 per group up to 8 members

Guided tours by train

From Paris to the Palace of Versailles, there are two guided tours by train.

This four-hour guided tour of Versailles Palace starts at 9 am from the French capital. 

An accredited local English-speaking guide escorts you on a round-trip between central Paris and Versailles by RER train.

You enter the Versailles Palace without waiting anywhere and then also explore the Gardens of Versailles.

Everybody gets a headset so that they can hear the guide even in a crowd.

Adult Ticket (18+ years):  €90 Youth Ticket (11 to 17 years):  €73 Child Ticket (4 to 10 years):  €73 Infant Ticket (up to 3 years): Free

Recommended Reading: History of Palace of Versailles

Self-guided: Paris to Versailles by train

Some tourists prefer taking a train to Versailles themselves –

• Backpackers on a budget holiday
• Tourists who have been to Paris before
• Groups of adult travelers who want to figure their way out

Taking a train from Paris to Versailles is the cheapest way to get there.

There are two kinds of trains in Paris.

The Metro lines serve the city of Paris, while the RER trains serve Paris and its suburbs.

Since the Palace of Versailles is in the suburbs, you need to board an RER train.

An alphabet denotes all RER lines, and RER C is the most comfortable train to Versailles Palace.

RER C is also known as the Yellow Line and serves the western half of the Parisian suburbs.

RER C line’s route map:

Here is a step by step guide to going from Paris to Versailles by train –

Reach any of the Metro/RER stations mentioned on the RER C route map shown above.

Popular RER C line stations in city center include St-Michel (near Notre Dame), Musée d’Orsay, Invalides, Pont de l’Alma, and Champs de Mars – Tour Eiffel.

Boarding an RER C train from  Central Paris  is also a good option. Locals refer to the Central Station as Gare Du Nord.

RER Stations are marked with a blue sign – RER surrounded by a circle. 

If you are not sure, fire up your Google Map and identify which station is near you.

Image: Tourbytransit.com

Once you are at the station, look for the Green ticket kiosks and purchase return tickets to ‘Versailles Château Rive Gauche.’

The total cost of a trip to Versailles and back is approximately 8 Euros per person from Paris.

There are three different train stations with ‘Versailles’ in the name – Versailles Rive Gauche, Versailles Chantier, and Versailles Rive Droite.

You must book your RER ticket for Versailles Rive Gauche because it is the closest train station to the Palace of Versailles.

If you are not comfortable handling the ticket kiosks, look for the ticket window counters (pic below) available at all the stations.

For each person, you will get two tickets, which will look like this –

Travelers need their ticket to exit after arriving at Versailles Rive Gauche, so keep it safe. Image: Parisbytrain.com

Keep the return ticket safely inside your wallet/bag. Many tourists are known to misplace their return tickets.

To find the RER C platform from where the train to ‘Versailles Château Rive Gauche’ will pass through, look for display screens inside the station.

On the screens, look for trains heading to  Versailles Chateau RG  (RG = Rive Gauche), which is where you must get down.

Once you find your train, look for two critical pieces of information –

Platform: The platform from where the train will leave. In this case, it is ‘A’ Time: The time when the train will leave the platform. In this case, it is 2.09 pm.

Now, you need to follow the signs to the RER C platform from where the train to ‘Versailles Château Rive Gauche’ will pass through.

All RER train platforms mark which line you’re on and which direction the train is going.

On the platform, you will see yet another display screen.

The topmost train on the screen is the one already at the station or arriving next. 

Not all RER trains arriving at this platform go to Versailles, so board the train ONLY when your train is listed ‘first’ on the display board.

When the train arrives, the doors won’t open automatically.

It would be best to open the door by pressing the green or silver button on the door. If you don’t, someone on the train can also open the door.

Once on the train, look up. If you are lucky, you may have boarded the train with a ceiling decorated like the Palace at Versailles.

After a 50-minute train ride, you will reach Versailles Château Rive Gauche , the station where you must get down.

It is the last station on the line, which means you don’t need to keep track of the stations.

Please keep your tickets with you because you will need them to exit the station.

If you follow all the other tourists getting down from the train, you will reach the Palace of Versailles after a ten-minute walk.  Get Directions

Before you turn around the corner, turn back and look at the Versailles Château Rive Gauche station.

After your Versailles Palace tour, you must get back here to board the train to Paris.

Since you already have the return tickets to Paris, get onto any train going in the direction of the French capital.

All trains passing through this station go to Paris.

The last train from Versailles Rive Gauche railway station leaves at 11.55 pm.

If you find all of this travel information intimidating, check out the Palace of Versailles by train package , where an expert guide takes you to Versailles by train.

A trip from Paris to Versailles and back by train will cost you approximately €8 per person.

At this price, trains are the cheapest way to reach the Palace of Versailles.

Did you know that Hall of Mirrors in Palace of Versailles is highly decorated room with 357 mirrors?

All the top car rental companies such as Avis, Hertz, Dollar, Europcar, etc. are available in Paris.

For approximately €200, you can rent out a mid-sized car for your trip from Paris to Versailles.

Parking at Versailles Estate is no issue, for there are numerous car parks.

A Versailles tour from Paris takes you on a scenic route, and a private car means you get to stop and explore on the way.

However, Paris traffic and the high cost of renting out a car for a day weigh down this option.

Recommended Reading: Trivia about Palace of Versailles

If you want the luxury of private transport to Versailles but don’t want to navigate the traffic yourself, you can hire an Uber.

Traveling the 20 Kms (12 miles) distance to Versailles in an Uber costs upwards of €40.

The ride lasts 45 minutes or so, depending on the time of the day and the traffic.

If you hire an Uber to return as well, your transportation cost alone will be €80 to €120.

That’s why we don’t recommend you take an Uber to Versailles.

Instead, it makes sense to book the  half-day guided tour by train , which costs €90.

Sources # Parisdiscoveryguide.com # Traveltriangle.com # Versailles-palace-tickets.com # Paristoversailles.com The travel specialists at TheBetterVacation.com use only high-quality sources while researching & writing their articles. We make every attempt to keep our content current, reliable and trustworthy .

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This article was researched & written by

Devyani Bhattacharjee

Devyani Bhattacharjee enjoys traveling to new, exotic locations. She is always waiting to step out and explore the amazing historical structures, delectable cuisines, magnificent cultures, and gorgeous people worldwide. She believes in frugal travel - where she can have endless fun without spending too much money. Favourite Cities: Buenos Aires, Auckland, Montreal, Port Louis, St. Petersburg

Edited by Rekha Rajan & fact checked by Jamshed V Rajan

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• Plan a Road Trip
• Plan a Flight
• Find an Airport
• Where to Stay
• All Questions

Distance between Versailles and Tours

Driving non-stop from versailles to tours.

How far is Tours from Versailles? Here's the quick answer if you drive this relatively short distance without making any stops.

Nonstop drive: 145 miles or 233 km

Driving time: 2 hours, 12 minutes

Even though you can drive this distance straight through, it might be more interesting to stop along the way. You can scroll down to calculate how many hours it would take if you drive with stops .

Flying non-stop from Versailles to Tours

Now let's assume you have a private jet and you can fly in the fastest possible straight line between Versailles, France and Tours, France. Because of the curvature of the Earth, the shortest distance is actually the "great circle" distance, or "as the crow flies" which is calculated using an iterative Vincenty formula.

Flight distance: 118 miles or 190 km

Flight time: 44 minutes

The straight line flight distance is 27 miles less than driving on roads, which means the driving distance is roughly 1.2x of the flight distance.

Your plane flies much faster than a car, so the flight time is about 1/3th of the time it would take to drive.

This is a relatively short flight in a private plane, but you might be planning to book a commercial flight. In that case, your travel time would really need to include how many minutes to get to your local airport, wait for security, board and taxi on the runway, land at the other airport, and get to your destination. Scroll down to see a more realistic calculation that takes into account all these factors to get a more accurate estimate of your actual flight time .

Versailles to Tours road trip

Let's say you're actually planning a road trip to Tours, and you want to stop on the way to explore. If it's a real road trip, you might want to check out interesting places along the way, or maybe eat at a great restaurant. That's what Trippy is perfect for, helping you figure out travel plans in detail.

Road trip: 1 day of driving

With the full itinerary planned out, we can estimate your total travel time for this trip.

Travel time: 3.5 hours on the road

Start in Versailles .

Drive for about 42 minutes , then stop in Dourdan and stay for about 1 hour. Next, drive for another 57 minutes then stop in Orleans (Centre) and stay for 1 hour. Drive for 40 minutes then stop at Château de Chambord and stay for 1 hour. Drive for 44 minutes then stop in Amboise and stay for 1 hour. Finally, drive for about 32 minutes and arrive in Tours .

Versailles to Tours airports and flights

In the quick calculation above, we assumed you had a private plane and just wanted to know the time in the air from city to city. But for most of us, we're going to be flying on a commercial airline (whether it's first class or coach). So that means we really need to account for all the extra travel time getting to the airport, waiting for our flight, and making it to the destination.

To give you a better estimate of real-life travel, we've put together a flight itinerary with actual airports. Eventually you'll be able to customize this plan, choosing your own airports and flights. But for now, here's an example we've selected to give you an idea of how traveling might work between airports.

Departure airport: Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport (CDG)

Arrival airport: Tours Val de Loire Airport (TUF)

With the airports selected, we can estimate the travel time to and from the airport, based on how far the airport is from downtown.

Getting to the airport: 71 minutes

Getting to your destination: 9 minutes

Now finally, let's look at an actual flight from BVA connecting through MRS and arriving at TUF flying on Ryanair. We can figure out how long it would take to fly including take-off and landing, time to taxi on the runways, and an average layover time of about 2 hours.

Initial flight time: 1 hour, 23 minutes

Connecting airport: Marseille Provence Airport (MRS)

Connection flight time: 1 hour, 12 minutes

So now we can finally get an idea of the total travel time from Versailles to Tours including time spent getting to and from the airports, roughly 2 hours at the departure airport for TSA security lines and waiting at the gate, plus the connecting flight with a 2-hour layover.

Total travel time: 8 hours

Plan a trip to Tours

Trippy has a ton of information that can help you plan your trip to Tours, France. Start by reading the Trippy page on where to stay in Tours . Click the button below to explore Tours in detail.

How far is it the other way?

The distance is the same either way if you're flying a straight line (or driving the same roads back and forth). But for a real trip, there can be plenty of differences so go ahead and check the reverse directions to get the distance from Tours to Versailles , or go to the main page to calculate the distance between cities .

If you happen to know Versailles, don't forget to help other travelers and answer some questions about Versailles!

More info on this route: drive from Versailles to Tours road conditions alternate routes Google driving directions

Distance from Tours to Versailles

Distance between Tours and Versailles is 191 kilometers (119 miles). Driving distance from Tours to Versailles is 233 kilometers (145 miles).

Distance Map Between Tours and Versailles

Tours , Orleans , France ↔ Versailles , Paris , France = 119 miles = 191 km.

How far is it between Tours and Versailles

Tours is located in France with (47.3833,0.6833) coordinates and Versailles is located in France with (48.8,2.1333) coordinates. The calculated flying distance from Tours to Versailles is equal to 119 miles which is equal to 191 km.

If you want to go by car, the driving distance between Tours and Versailles is 233.1 km . If you ride your car with an average speed of 112 kilometers/hour (70 miles/h), travel time will be 02 hours 04 minutes. Please check the avg. speed travel time table on the right for various options. Difference between fly and go by a car is 42 km.

Estimated Travel Time Between Tours and Versailles

Related distances from tours, related distances to versailles.

Home > Side Trips from Paris > Plan the Perfect Day Trip to Versailles from Paris – A Local’s Guide

Plan the Perfect Day Trip to Versailles from Paris – A Local’s Guide

Paris to versailles day trip.

Most people planning a holiday to Paris manage to squeeze a day in their itinerary for a day trip to Versailles. And for a reason!

Versailles is more than a French château; it is a royal domain that extends over 800 hectares! Here, nature and culture converge, and the sun shines even when it rains.

The Château de Versailles is a jewel of French Baroque architecture, and the grounds are stunning. The beauty of this site and its proximity to the French capital make a day trip to Versailles from Paris easy to organize and one of the top places on everyone’s Paris Bucket List .

Are you planning your Versailles trip last minute?

Below are some of the best Versailles tours, hotels, and more!

Book your transfer from a Paris airport to Versailles with Welcome Pickups .

Looking to travel around Versailles independently? Click here for the best rental car rates in Versailles .

Top Experiences and Tours in Versailles:

• Entry Ticket Château de Versailles, Gardens, and Estate of Trianon
• Château de Versailles Priority Entrance Ticket and Guided Tour
• Afternoon in the Petit Trianon and Estate of Marie-Antoinette
• Versailles Bike Tour with Château and Estate of Marie-Antoinette

Save money with the Paris & Versailles Bundle (Château de Versailles + Louvre Museum + Seine River Cruise), 100% digital!

Top Places to Stay in Versailles:

• Waldorf Astoria Versailles – Trianon Palace (by the Park of the Château de Versailles)
• Hotel Le Versailles (close to the Old Town and the famous Château)
• Hotel des Lys  (close to Notre Dame Market and the famous Château)

Don’t leave for Versailles without travel insurance!

Compare plans, prices, and coverage with  Travel Insurance Master , a comparison site that will find the perfect fit for you amongst the world’s leading programs.  Travel Insurance Master is also the best place to look for senior travelers .

The downside of Versailles’ fame and beauty are the crowds and the long lines to visit the Château. Indeed, with nearly 10 million visitors every year, the Château de Versailles is one of the world’s most visited historic sites! Also, there are so many things to see and do that a Paris to Versailles day trip can be a terrible experience if you arrive there without any plan.

How to plan a Versailles day trip from Paris? What is the best Versailles itinerary? This Versailles guide gives information and our best tips for planning the perfect day trip to Versailles from Paris. After reading this quick guide, you will see that it is very easy to visit Versailles!

Versailles is one of the most popular day trips from Paris. Check out the list of best day trips from Paris .

Table of Contents:

• Best Time to Visit Versailles
• Ways to Travel from Paris to Versailles
• Book your Skip-the-line Tickets to Versailles in Advance
• Why a Versailles Tour from Paris is a Good Idea
• Things to Do on a Versailles Day Trip from Paris
• Best Versailles Shows
• Extend your Versailles Trip
• Versailles Tips & Practical Info

1. Best Time to Visit Versailles

The best time to visit Versailles is in spring or autumn because the site is less crowded than in summer. The garden shows usually take place between April and October, and they are also lovely in the shoulder seasons. During this time, the French-style gardens that surround the Château are not free to visit, but there is Baroque music, and the fountains are running, so it is well worth the extra fee.

Winter is ideal for visiting the Château, but you will miss the beauty of the gardens in bloom, which is a shame. The French-style gardens are free to visit in winter, but many grooves are closed to the public. A day of snow can be nice, but it is rare!

Best Day to Visit Versailles

With your Versailles skip-the-line tickets, you will avoid the longest lines. Also, you may want to avoid the biggest crowds when you visit the Château of Versailles inside.

Versailles is particularly crowded on Tuesdays and during the weekends. If your schedule is flexible, prioritize Wednesdays and Thursdays for visiting Versailles, when there are fewer crowds. In our opinion, Wednesdays and Thursdays are the best days to visit Versailles .

The Château of Versailles is one of the top sights to visit near Paris. We recommend a day trip to Versailles from Paris in the following Paris itineraries:

• 4 days in Paris itinerary
• 5 days in Paris itinerary
• 6 days in Paris itinerary
• 7 days in Paris itinerary

2. Ways to Travel from Paris to Versailles

A Versailles trip from Paris is easy to organize. Read our article about all the ways to get to Versailles from Paris , public and private.

How far is Versailles from Paris? The distance from Paris to Versailles is about 25 km (15.5 miles).

3. Book your Skip-the-line Tickets to Versailles in Advance

If you decide to visit Versailles without a guided tour, buy your tickets well in advance. With the skip-the-line tickets, you will choose a date and a time slot, so you are sure to enter the Château within 30 minutes of your time slot.

Versailles offers different kinds of tickets, so it is essential to understand what you can visit with each ticket.

Compare the best Versailles Tickets

DID YOU KNOW? The Paris Museum Pass for 2, 4, or 6 days also includes access to Château de Versailles and the Trianons!

4. Why a Versailles Tour from Paris is a Good Idea

A Versailles tour from Paris is a popular option, especially among first-time visitors. Here’s why you should consider a guided tour for visiting Versailles:

» Your time is limited, and Versailles Estate is huge! Tour guides know how to get the most out of your time on a day trip from Paris to Versailles by showing the main sights at perfect times to avoid crowds.

» Guided tours with a knowledgeable guide are more interesting and interactive experiences. You can always ask your guide as many questions as you want, and they always seem to have many stories to tell.

» Versailles guided tours use a separate entrance to the Château, which is super cool. While Versailles skip-the-line tickets guarantee access to the Château within 30 minutes (the 30 minutes of your time slot), the access to the Château with a guided tour is immediate thanks to this separate entrance.

» Some of these tours also include the pickup and drop off at your hotel. After visiting Versailles for hours, how cool is it to go back straight to your hotel on a comfortable van or coach?

» Some Versailles guided tours allow people to visit otherwise closed rooms. Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy these unique parts of the Château with a small group and far from the crowds.

Best Versailles Guided Tours in English (with skip-the-line tickets)

5. things to do on a versailles day trip from paris.

The Versailles Estate is vast, and there are many interesting things to visit. Here’s the list.

TIP: check out our suggested Versailles itinerary, self-guided.

Château de Versailles

Château de Versailles is the beating heart of the Versailles Estate. One of the most beautiful castles in France , the Palace of Versailles has two floors – the garden floor and the first floor – with a total surface of 63,000 m2 divided into 2,300 rooms and halls.

The most famous room in the Château is the Hall of Mirrors, used for ceremonies and exceptional occasions such as the masked ball for Marie-Antoinette and Louis XVI ‘s wedding. But of course, there’s much more!

Don’t miss one of the best castles near Paris . The articles below are in-depth articles about the Palace of Versailles and our best skip-the-line tips for visiting it.

Gardens of Versailles

Designed by André Le Notre , the same landscaper designer who created the gardens of Château de Chantilly , the magnificent French-style Gardens of Versailles is one of the jewels of the Versailles Estate.

The Gardens of Versailles surround the Château on three sides, and they are decorated with many fountains, grooves, statues, colonnades, and even an obelisk. From April to October, they host beautiful music and water shows, and there’s an entrance fee to access them. The access is free from November to March, but some grooves are closed.

If you want to know more about these stunning gardens, the articles below are in-depth articles about the Gardens of Versailles and the fountains that decorate these gardens.

The Estate of Trianon

The Estate of Trianon  is home to the Grand Trianon and the Petit Trianon pavilions, the Queen’s Hamlet , and various ornamental gardens.

The Kings built these intimate spaces close to the Palace of Versailles to gain some brief respite from courtly etiquette and enjoy nature. The Queen’s Hamlet was constructed for Queen Marie-Antoinette and her children to play the peasants, and it had a farm, a mill, and many animals.

The Park of Versailles is the green extension surrounding the Grand Canal, and it is always free to visit. This part is very popular amongst locals and Parisians for family picnics, jogging, or bike rides.

The Grand Canal is André Le Nôtre’s most original design. With its huge dimensions (1,700 m east-west and 1000 m north-south) and 60 m in width, the Grand Canal was used for ship battles by the King and his court.

If you are fit, walk down to the Royal Star , a viewpoint at the edge of the western branch with amazing views.

This area is home to the famous Lime Tree Walk , which links the Château to the Mortemets, the waterfowl reserve within King Louis XIV’s hunting estate.

Le Potager du Roi

Le Potager du Roi (the King’s vegetable garden) was built between 1678 and 1683 by Jean-Baptiste La Quintinie at King Louis XIV’s request.

Well known for his experience with fruit gardens and vegetable gardens, La Quintinie was responsible for providing fruits and vegetables at the King’s table. 

The prodigies accomplished by La Quintinie attracted the interest and admiration of his master, the King, who liked to come for a walk in the vegetable garden. A gardening enthusiast, King Louis XIV liked to show his vegetable garden to his illustrious guests, and he even learned how to prune fruit trees with his gardener.

Le Potager du Roi is a listed historical monument and a “remarkable garden.” Its gardeners perpetuate the art of pruning and grow a wide variety of fruits and vegetables.

Le Potager du Roi is an independent visit, not included in any ticket shown above. The entrance is located at 10 Rue du Maréchal-Joffre. Tickets cost 5€ – 3€ (high season – November to March).

The Royal Stables (Gallery of Coaches)

The Royal Stables consists of two buildings – the Great Stables and the Small Stables – identical in size but with different uses.

The Great Stables are where the hunting horses were kept (hundreds of horses according to their race and coat), while the Small Stables were used to keep the carriages, sleds, and coaches.

Today, the Great Stables’ ground floor hosts an impressive display of coaches, mainly grand ceremonial Berlin Coaches from Napoleon I’s coronation and second marriage.

The Royal Stables are located at 1 Avenue Rockefeller, just in front of the Palace, and they are open on Saturday and Sunday, from 12.30 pm to 5.30 pm November to March, and from 12.30 pm to 6.30 pm April to October.

6. Best Versailles Garden & Fountain Shows

If you plan a day trip from Paris to Versailles during the high season (from April to October), you can enjoy beautiful shows around the gardens: the Musical Fountains Show , the Musical Gardens Show , and the Versailles Fountains Night Show .

Check out our dedicated guide to the fountains of Versailles for the show days and fountains schedule.

Versailles Musical Fountains Show

The Musical Fountains Show is our favorite Versailles Garden show. Explore the gardens and grooves while listening to Baroque music, and watch the fountains’ water displays with special effects. Skip the lines and save money by purchasing the Versailles Passport, with the Musical Fountains Show included

Versailles Musical Gardens Show

Wander through the largest open-air museum, decorated with amazing sculptures, while listening to the beautiful sounds of Baroque music. In the Musical Gardens Show , the Versailles fountains are not running – Click here to buy the Versailles Passport, with the Musical Gardens Show included

Versailles Fountains Night Show

The Versailles Gardens are transformed into a striking visual and musical experience during the Fountains Night Show . Stroll the gardens beautifully illuminated, with the fountains and grooves displaying water at the sound of music. The show ends with a ‘grande finale,’ fireworks display in front of the Grand Canal – Click here to buy the tickets for the Fountains Night Show

7. Extend your Versailles Trip

The Versailles Estate is huge, so you’ll probably need more than a Paris day trip to Versailles to explore everything at a leisurely pace. You will also find yourself staying late if you watch the  Saturday night Fountain Show . Traveling back to your hotel in Paris after the show will be difficult because everybody leaves the show at the same time (after the Grand Finale), the train station is always crowded, and taxis back to Paris are hard to find. 

Fortunately, there are several comfortable and luxurious hotels near the Château that will make your visit more convenient and that extra bit special. Here are the best-rated hotels near Versailles Palace , with something for every traveler. Spend two days rather than a day in Versailles and also visit some of the best things to do in Versailles town .

8. Versailles Tips & Practical Info

This is what you need to know to plan your Paris – Versailles day trip:

» The Versailles Estate is FREE for everyone on the first Sunday of the month, from November to March. Long lines to visit the different buildings are guaranteed, though.

» The Park and the Gallery of Coaches are always FREE to visit. If you only want to visit one of these places, there is no ticket to buy.

» The Gardens (the French-style Gardens around the Palace) are FREE to visit from November to March. From April to October, there’s a fee to access the Gardens, and the price depends on the kind of show on that day (Musical Fountains Show or Musical Gardens Show).

Versailles Opening Hours – Low Season (November to March)

• During the low season, Château de Versailles opens from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm. The last admission is at 5:00 pm.
• The Trianon and Marie-Antoinette’s domain opens from 12:00 to 5:30 pm. The last admission is at 5:00 pm.
• The Park and Gardens are open from 8:00 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the last admission at 5:30 p.m. During the low season, some grooves in the Gardens are closed.
• The waiting time to visit the different buildings is definitely shorter during the low season, so your Versailles itinerary can be more flexible.

Versailles Opening Hours – High Season (April to October)

• During the high season, Château de Versailles opens from 9 am to 6.30 pm. The last admission is at 6:00 pm.
• The Trianon and Marie-Antoinette’s domain is open from 12 to 6:30 p.m., with the last admission at 6:00 p.m.
• The Park and Gardens are open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., with the last admission at 7:00 p.m.
• During the high season, the average waiting time to enter the Château is one hour without any Versailles skip-the-line tickets.
• There’s one line to access the Château and one different line to buy the tickets. If you want to buy your Versailles tickets on-site, you need to add one extra hour to this time.

Versailles Main Access Points

The Versailles Estate is vast, with many entrance gates, but some gates are permanently closed for security reasons. Find below the main gates or points of access to the Versailles Estate, which are always open.

GOOD TO KNOW: Remember that due to the anti-terrorist security plan, visitors with large baggage items (exceeding 55x35x20 cm) are not admitted on the domain, and every bag or vehicle is controlled upon access.

» The main entrance to the Place of Versailles is through the MAIN COURTYARD.

• ACCESS A is for individual visitors with their tickets already bought and printed (or on mobile phone)
• ACCESS B, on the opposite side of the courtyard, is for groups with reservations
• If you do not have a ticket upon arrival and are not eligible for free admission, go to the ticket office first, situated on the left in the Main Courtyard in the South Ministers’ Wing, and then to ACCESS A to validate it.

» You can access the Estate of Trianon by the Gardens and Park (entrances located at Allée des 2 Trianons) or from the city via SAINT-ANTHONY GATE (located on the D186 arriving from le Chesnay)

» The DRAGON GATE gives access to the Gardens from rue de la Parroisse.

» The QUEENS GATE, on Boulevard de la Reine, provides pedestrian access and car access to the Park.

» The SAILORS GATE, on the route de Saint-Cyr (D10), provides access to the Park and Sailors Walk.

» Access to the Potager du Roi is at 10, rue du Maréchal-Joffre.

» Access to the Royal Stables is on Avenue de Rockefeller, in front of the Palace.

So there you have it, our Versailles guide with everything you need to know for a wonderful day trip Paris to Versailles.

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• Versailles to Tours

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The distance between Versailles and Tours is 118 miles, or approximately 188 kilometers.

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Top Tours in Versailles, France

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1. Versailles Palace Live Tour with Gardens Access from Paris

2. Versailles Palace Classic Guided Tour

3. Versailles Palace and Gardens Skip-the-Line Tour from Paris

4. Versailles Domain Bike Tour with Palace and Trianon Estate Access

5. Versailles Palace and Gardens Tour by Train from Paris with Skip-the-Line

6. Versailles Small Group Guided Tour with tranportation from Paris

7. Versailles Bike Tour with Market, Gardens & Guided Palace Tour

8. Versailles Full-Day Saver Tour: Palace, Gardens, and Estate of Marie Antoinette

9. Versailles Guided Tour and Priority Access with Hotel Pickup

10. Priority Entrance Ticket to Versailles Palace, Gardens and Estate

11. Full-Day Electric Bike Tour from Paris to Versailles

12. Versailles Palace Skip the Line Small Group Guided Tour

13. Versailles Domain Day Bike Tour with Trianon Estate from Paris

14. Versailles Timed Entrance Ticket and Giverny Small Group Day Trip from Paris

15. Versailles Palace Skip the line Guided Full Day or Half Day Tour

16. Versailles Palace and Giverny Monet House Guided Visit with Lunch from Paris

17. 5 Hour Private Tour of Versailles

18. Versailles Domain Bike Tour with Palace Entry by Train from Paris

19. Versailles Palace Private Half Day Guided Tour including Hotel Pickup from Paris

20. Versailles Royal Palace & Gardens Private Tour by Golf Cart

21. Versailles Palace & Marie-Antoinette's Estate Private Guided Tour with Lunch

22. Giverny's Monet House & Versailles Palace Day Trip from Paris

23. Giverny Monet's House & Versailles Palace Private Day Trip from Paris

24. Small Group Paris to Versailles Guided Day Trip & Garden Access

25. Versailles Palace, Gardens and Trianon Estate Entry Ticket

26. Versailles Domain Half or Full Day Private Guided Tour from Paris

27. Versailles Palace and Gardens Half Day Guided Tour from Paris

28. Versailles Palace Guided Tour with Coach Transfer from Paris

29. Versailles Palace Half Day Private & Tailored Guided Tour

30. Versailles and Giverny Tour Hotel Pickup

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• Versailles Palace & Garden Tour w. Skip The Line Entry from Paris
• Versailles Palace Classic Guided Tour
• Versailles Domain Bike Tour with Palace and Trianon Estate Access
• Versailles Palace and Gardens Half Day Guided Tour from Paris
• Versailles Palace, Gardens and Trianon Estate Entry Ticket
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Ultimate Palace of Versailles Tour from Paris

Breeze past the lines for the palace and gardens with a friendly english speaking guide.

Looking for an easy way to see the best of Versailles? Versailles is a popular day trip from Paris, but planning ahead to get tickets and transportation organized makes things so much easier! That's why you'll love our half-day small group tour with a local guide who'll take you on roundtrip transportation to Versailles and skip the long lines at the palace! You'll see the palace and garden more quickly and maximize your trip to Versailles from Paris.

• Meet your guide outside Porte d'Auteuil metro station
• Arrive at Versailles
• Palace of Versailles
• Royal Chapel
• Princess' Apartments
• Hall of Mirrors
• King's State Apartments
• Gardens of Versailles
• End your tour at Porte d'Auteuil metro station

You'll meet your guide and small group of fellow travelers at the Porte d'Auteuil metro station in Paris, where you'll receive transportation on a climate-controlled bus to Versailles and back to Paris at the end with ease. Follow your guide's lead as they escort you past the long lines of people entering the palace with your skip-the-line tickets. Once inside, your guided tour will show you the unforgettable art and architecture inside the Palace of Versailles, and you'll learn all about its famous royal residents and the remarkable stories that shaped its past.

You'll be wowed by what you see and learn from your guide as they lead you to the best areas of the palace before heading out to the gardens. At the end of the tour you can choose to continue exploring the gardens on your own, but please note that the bus returning to Paris will depart shortly after the end of the tour.

Versailles Palace from Paris Tour Description

Your 3.5-hour guided tour includes:

Round-trip transportation by coach from Paris to Versailles

Skip-the-line entrance to the Palace of Versailles

Guided tour of the palace

Introduction to the gardens

Optional free time to explore the gardens and Trianon Estate

A local, English-speaking guide

Small group of 18 or fewer people

Experience the Incredible Palace of Versailles

You'll meet your guide at the Porte d'Auteuil metro station, where you will take a comfortable coach bus straight to Versailles. After you've skipped the line to enter the palace, your expert guide will begin to show you all of the most fascinating parts of this historic royal residence. A stunning work to behold from the inside and out, the Versailles Palace encompasses over 2,000 rooms, with about as many windows looking out at the immense gardens. The opulent interior holds countless works of art and precious artifacts, so it's easy to see why over ten million people visit the palace each year.

Formerly the hunting château of King Louis XIII, the stunning Versailles Palace and Gardens were built in the 17th century, and UNESCO have declared this place a World Heritage site. The elaborately decorated and expansive palace became the seat of French power during the reign of King Louis XIV. You'll hear stories of the lavish lifestyles and scandals that became a hallmark of the kings and queens who once called this place home.

The Hall of Mirrors and Grand Apartments

Measuring almost 70 yards long and adorned with 357 mirrors, the Hall of Mirrors is the most famous room in the château. The mirrors in this room were designed to reflect light and protect the walls from smoke, and only a few candles were required in order to reflect candlelight throughout the entire room. 

The Treaty of Versailles, which marked the end of World War I, was signed in the Hall of Mirrors on June 28th, 1919. With thousands of rooms to explore, navigating the Palace of Versailles on your own is a challenge. A guided tour is the best way to cover the must-see highlights of the Palace of Versailles, including the King's State Apartments and the apartments of Louis XV's daughters. 

The Gardens of Versailles and Trianon Estate

After touring the palace, you’ll experience the magnificent Gardens of Versailles as your guide explains the fascinating history of the most famous gardens in the world. You'll receive an introduction to the gardens from your guide. Inspiring other gardens all over the world, the meticulously manicured Gardens of Versailles occupy a total area of almost 2,000 acres with over 400 sculptures and 1,400 fountains. Your ticket also includes access to see Marie-Antoinette's Trianon Estate,.

At the end of the tour you can choose to continue exploring the gardens on your own, but please note that the coach returning to Paris will depart shortly after the end of the tour. In case you do wish to spend more time in the gardens, our guide is happy to advise on alternative ways to get back to Paris.

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What you get with this tour

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491 total reviews

Worth every penny

Versailles is a popular destination so it is very busy and crowded. Having a tour group with individual headsets is necessary. Our tour guide, Wei, was very knowledgable and provided great detail about each of the rooms of the palace.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What to bring?

We recommend bringing a bottle of water with you. We also recommend wearing a pair of comfortable shoes as there is quite a bit of walking involved, especially if you want to spend more time in the gardens.

What if I have concerns about my mobility on this tour?

If you have concerns about your mobility, we recommend you take our Private Golden Versailles Palace and Garden Tour so we can better accommodate your needs.

Is a guided tour of the gardens included?

You'll have a 30-minute explanation of what you'll see as you stand at the garden entrance. If you want extra time to explore, you're free to return when you're ready by taking a train instead. Note, if you do stay for extra time to explore, you will need to pay the train fare for your return.

Is a guided tour of the Palace of Versailles included?

Yes, this tour highlights a guided tour of the palace.

Will I be able to see the Trianon Estate?

Yes! Your ticket includes access to the estate, which you can visit self-guided after the tour has finished. Note, if you do stay for extra time to explore, you will need to pay the train fare for your return.

Free 24-hr cancellation on group tours! Learn more

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9 Best Versailles Tours from Paris for a Journey into French History

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Wandering the regal halls of the Palace of Versailles is often cited as one of the best things to do in Paris , keeping history lovers, art buffs and sightseeing enthusiasts entertained.

From the extravagant Hall of Mirrors to the Queen’s Hamlet and elaborate palatial gardens, the royal residence is one of the most beloved jewels of Paris , allowing a peek behind the curtain into the privileges, and responsibilities of the kings and queens of France.

Uncover the essence of Versailles with our top 3 picks, including the most highly-rated excursion, a delightful bike tour option, and the ultimate private exploration. Or scroll down to see our entire list of the best Versailles tours from Paris .

Want to dive straight in? Browse our catalog now!

• Versailles tours from Paris

1 – Palace of Versailles Skip-the-Line Guided Tour with Transfers

Rating: ⭐️ 4.4/5 ( 2564 reviews )

“Everything and everyone was on Time!!! It was exactly as you described in the Page. I highly recommend your services!” Karla, Headout

Encouraging your education and enjoyment of the “City of Lights,” this Versailles tour from Paris transports you on a journey back to the 17th century when the now UNESCO-listed landmark was erected.

You’ll discover the grand Baroque interior of the palace, including its Hall of Mirrors, which was designed to showcase the strength and power of King Louis XIV — also referred to as Louis the Great.

As well as this opulent room, you’ll also explore some of the 60,000 artworks covering the history of France and the surrounding palatial gardens, which serve as a creative masterpiece, brought to life by the respected landscape architect, André Le Nôtre.

This Versailles tour from Paris perfectly combines everything you need for your experience into one neat package. The transportation is arranged efficiently and the guides are both friendly and expertly educated on the former royal residence.

Read more: Versailles Palace Tickets Price

2 – Bike Tour with Market, Gardens & Guided Palace Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 5/5 ( 570 reviews )

“This was my favorite experience during my entire trip to Paris! Clara was the most wonderful tour guide…she made everything interesting and fun! I would absolutely recommend this tour to anyone and everyone!” Jason, Viator

If you wish to experience the area surrounding Paris up close, you may instead consider choosing this cycling experience, operated by Boutique Bike Tours .

Leaving the hustle and bustle of the city center behind, you’ll enjoy a high-speed train journey to the historic town of Versailles where you’ll mount a bicycle to explore the area, including its esteemed farmers market filled with residents showcasing a vibrant display of locally-grown produce.

Alongside the main palace, you’ll also visit the Queen’s Hamlet — built for Marie Antoinette in the second half of the 18th century — before ending your experience with a gourmet picnic overlooking the magnificent site.

• Check offer

While you may not be able to count on the weather for this tour, you can certainly count on the attention of the fantastic group of guides who run this experience.

You’ll discover local cuisine, which can be devoured while gazing upon one of the most spectacular architectural landmarks of the 17th century, discover the sheer magnitude of the palace and enjoy a leisurely cycle, all while accompanied by a welcoming and fun local.

Read more: Versailles Tours – Which One is Best?

3 – Private Half-Day Trip with Macarons

Rating: ⭐️ 5/5 ( 57 reviews )

“Our Viator tour with Claudio was excellent. We learned so much and he really brought the chateau experience to life!” Natasha, Viator

Enjoy the ultimate French experience with this excursion that combines the artistic and historic wonders of the Palace of Versailles with the luxury of delicate macarons, which you can feast on decadently throughout the rest of the day.

Provided by Paris to Versailles Private Tours , this trip is ideal for those who wish to enjoy a more personalized experience than can be attained on a group tour. With a private guide, you’ll enjoy chatting one-on-one about the various points of interest you see, with plenty of opportunities to ask questions along the way.

You can tailor this experience to the topics that fascinate you most and after your exploration, you’re bound to enjoy the sweet taste of a pastel-colored macaron.

You’ll benefit from convenient touches on this private tour, including a hotel pickup service, which enables you to relax, put your feet up and enjoy the experience. The guides are attentive to your needs and you’ll feel as though you’ve made a friend as you discuss the most notable events in French history together.

4 – Palace & Gardens: Small-group Guided Tour + Roundtrip

Rating: ⭐️ 4.7/5 ( 62 reviews )

“Driver was wonderful… informative, engaging, and funny. Transportation was so comfortable. Small group size was ideal. The whole day was amazing! Couldn’t have asked for more.” Britt, Tiqets

Those looking for a more intimate experience can select one of several small-group Versailles tours from Paris. This one, in particular, operated by Paris TRIP , takes care of all transportation, enabling you to simply enjoy sightseeing without worrying over organization details.

You’ll gain priority entrance to the Palace of Versailles and enjoy a guided tour , hosted by a qualified expert. Wander in the footsteps of royalty as you discover the history of several monarchs, including Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, both of whom were beheaded during the French Revolution.

Gain a broad overview of life at the palace as you wander through state apartments, chapels, gardens and grand halls, all while listening to an entertaining commentary.

From royalty to architectural styles, you’ll gain a wide array of knowledge surrounding French history by embarking on this Palace of Versailles tour from Paris. If you wish to experience the site at its most serene, choose the early morning tour to beat the crowds.

5 – Versailles Palace and Trianon Guided Day Tour

Rating: ⭐️ 4/5 ( 161 reviews )

“This was the most incredible tour I have ever been on. Our guide Claire was funny, informative and an absolute delight to spend the day with. I have wanted to go to Versailles for years and she absolutely made in a memorable experience.” Shelley, Viator

One of the best Versailles tours from Paris is hosted by Paris City Vision and covers numerous landmarks, arming travelers with a plethora of insider knowledge on the French monarchy.

Alongside popular features of the Palace of Versailles, such as the Hall of Mirrors, you’ll also have the opportunity to discover the Gallery of Battles, which depicts almost 1,500 years of the country’s military victories, including the Battle of Tolbiac and the Battle of Wagram.

Stroll through the tranquil gardens at your leisure before reassembling with your group to explore the Trianon estate , which served as a refuge for the kings and queens of France away from their royal duties, as well as the Queen’s Hamlet where you’ll dive into the history of Marie Antoinette.

The perfect option for those who wish to combine a guided experience with independent exploration. The palace complex is enormous and those who choose a tour that lasts all day, like this one, should have a moderate level of fitness to enjoy the experience fully.

6 – Versailles Palace & Giverny Monet House Guided Visit with Lunch

Rating: ⭐️ 4/5 ( 1715 reviews )

“The gardens at Monet’s house were stunning. The place for lunch was charming and the lunch and wine were great! (…) Versailles was spectacular. It was a very fun day!” Carol, Viator

Those whose interests lie in the artistic endeavors of France can combine the Palace of Versailles’ colossal collection of paintings with the garden that served as a source of inspiration for the 19th-century impressionist mastermind, Claude Monet.

You’ll visit the home of the esteemed painter and the peaceful haven he created in his own backyard, which art lovers may recognize from the artists’ “Nymphéas” series.

After wandering these famed gardens, you’ll travel to the Palace of Versailles where you’ll gain an insight into the extravagant lifestyle of France’s elite through history, learning plenty of fascinating tidbits of information along the way from your Paris City Vision guide.

Those who are short on time to experience Paris can enjoy this fast-paced tour that covers several of the area’s most significant historic landmarks. You’ll pack plenty of sightseeing and information into just one day, ensuring you leave Paris as an expert on its art scene.

7 – Palace and Gardens Tour by Train with Skip-the-Line

Rating: ⭐️ 4.5/5 ( 216 reviews )

“Amazing experience! Our tour guide was great and went at a great pace! We were able to fully enjoy our tour and take pictures.” Angela, Viator

If you’re seeking flexibility, one of the best options for exploring the Palace of Versailles is this tour from Memories France , which operates several times per day, ensuring every traveler can experience this lavish landmark.

You’ll enjoy skip-the-line access to the palace, enabling you to spend your precious vacation time exploring instead of queueing, and discovering the rooms that, while luxurious, contributed to Marie Antoinette’s hatred of Versailles.

Those who wish to delve further into the history of the site can upgrade to explore the Trianon, where the Austrian princess-turned-French queen found respite from the routines and expectations of the main palace.

Travelers rave over how well-organized and paced this tour of the Palace of Versailles is. From traveling to the site via train to ambling through some of the palace’s impressive rooms, you’ll always be expertly guided by a lively and passionate individual keen to show you their city.

Read More: Versailles Palace Last Minute Tickets

8 – Morning tour of Versailles Palace and Gardens

Rating: ⭐️ 4.4/5 ( 14 reviews )

“Katherine our tour guide was absolutely phenomenal! She was friendly, helpful and very knowledgeable about everything having to do with Versailles. The bus ride was quick and comfortable, and we found it was just the right amount of time to explore Versailles – highly recommend!” Musement

The early hours of the morning are undoubtedly the best time to explore the Palace of Versailles before an influx of tourists swarms upon the landmark.

With fewer crowds than at other times of day, you’ll be able to take in the details of the paintings that line the walls, the gilded walls of the state apartments and the glistening chandeliers located in the Hall of Mirrors.

This Paris City Vision tour also gives you ample opportunity to stroll through the palace gardens, admiring countless statues, fountains and floral displays.

This excursion is well-planned to ensure you spend the perfect amount of time exploring the Palace of Versailles without tiring. Discovering the palace so early in the day leaves you the afternoon free to embark on a tour of the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre, allowing you to optimize your time in the French capital.

9 – Helicopter Flight over Paris & the Château de Versailles

Rating: ⭐️ 5/5 ( 5 reviews )

There are several bucket list moments to experience in Paris. However, there is no adventure more memorable than gliding over the city’s skyline in a helicopter , discovering its many arrondissements from above with Helipass .

Alongside the city center, you’ll also gain a birds-eye view over the Palace of Versailles before landing next to the exquisite landmark where you can admire its architectural details in all their glory.

Then, climb back on board and enjoy an engaging flight back to Paris, passing over the ornate fountains of the Trocadéro and the Montparnasse Tower, which stands alone more than 200 meters above the city streets.

This excursion can only be described as remarkable and is without a doubt one of the best Versailles tours from Paris. Whether you wish to surprise a loved one with a once-in-a-lifetime experience or simply enjoy a view of Paris that other tourists aren’t privy to, you’ll find yourself boasting about your trip as soon as your feet touch down back in Paris.

How to book Versaille tours from Paris?

There are an abundance of companies offering Versailles tours from Paris across several travel websites. However, by using the Tourscanner search engine, you can view all of your options in one place, compare prices and deals, and even choose combination experiences, such as a Paris & Versailles Bundle .

You’ll also be able to read reviews from real travelers, ensuring that you select the tour best suited to your needs.

• compare Versailles tours from Paris

Best Palace of Versailles Tours

• See & Do
• Palace of Versailles
• Versailles Palace Tours from Paris

The 10 Best Versailles Palace Tours from Paris for 2024

Are you planning to visit the Palace of Versailles from Paris?   If so, you may be wondering:  what is the easiest, most stress-free way to get to Versailles, and how can you get the most out of your experience - especially if you want to avoid wasting time in the notoriously long lines at the Chateau's entrance?

Most Popular Paris Day Trips to Palace of Versailles

These top-rated day trips from Paris to Versailles fill up fast, so book early to get the dates you want:

Popular Versailles day trips with transportation from Paris:

• Palace of Versailles & Gardens - Audio tour; choose a full-day or half-day trip
• Versailles Skip-the-Line Guided Tour & Gardens  - Optional garden tour
• Versailles Bike Tour with Palace & Queen's Farm Entrance  - Highly-rated
• Giverny & Versailles Guided Day Trip - See 2 iconic attractions in one day

Traveling to Versailles on your own?  Book a ticket with a reserved time slot for fast entry:

• Versailles Palace & Gardens Full Access Ticket - Includes entire Estate, including 3 palaces, the gardens (including Musical Gardens or Fountain show from April-October), & Marie-Antoinette's Hameau (farm and village)

Fortunately, you can choose from many excellent guided Palace of Versailles tours from Paris that allow you to go through a special priority fast-track entrance gate for use only by group tours.  Some of them also include transportation on comfortable air-conditioned coaches.   For others, you'll meet your guide in Paris and go to Versailles together on the train. 

However, sorting through all the tour choices and options can be challenging, especially if you're planning your first or even your second visit. 

To make choosing the best tour for you easy, we've compiled a list of the 10 best Versailles Palace tours from Paris in 4 different categories:

• Versailles Tours with Included Bus or Train Transport
• Guided Tours of Versailles - You take the train to Versailles on your own
• Guided Bike Tours of Versailles & Its Estate - You meet your group in Paris and travel together to/from Versailles on the train
• Guided Combo Tours of Versailles Plus Giverny or Fontainbleau with transport included

Top photo: A guided tour in the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles, (c) Paris Discovery Guide

Paris Discovery Guide is a reader-supported publication.  When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost for you.  Learn more

Best Guided Tours of the Palace of Versailles with Transportation from Paris

These guided tours of Versailles departing from Paris eliminate all the guesswork and stress of getting there and back on your own. Plus, you get fast entry through the dedicated tour-only gate. 

These tours are perfect for when you want maximum convenience plus the knowledge and insights of an expert guide.

1.  From Paris: Full Day Guided Tour of Versailles with Lunch & Transportation

The highly-rated Full-Day Guided Tour of Versailles starts with a comfortable trip by air-conditioned coach from Paris. 

Your expert guide will whisk you through a special entrance  and take you on a tour of the most spectacular Palace rooms, such as the magnificent Hall of Mirrors. You'll get to enjoy entertaining stories about the history of Versailles and life at the Royal Palace as you explore the Sun King's home.

After your Palace tour, you'll have free time to stroll through the beautiful formal Palace Gardens, where you'll have lunch at around noon. 

During the afternoon, your guide will show you Versailles' other most important sights: the Grand Trianon, Petit Trianon, and Marie Antoinette's Estate including her charming Hamlet before your relaxing return to Paris by bus.

2.  Skip-the-Line Versailles Palace Guided Tour by Train from Paris

You'll meet your guide for the Skip-the-Line Versailles Palace Tour by Train in central Paris and travel together to the famous Chateau. 

After passing quickly through the priority entrance reserved for tour groups, your 3-hour journey through the opulent Palace begins.  

Your knowledgeable guide will keep you informed and entertained as you visit the Royal Apartments, Hall of Mirrors, and other opulent rooms, as well as the spectacular gardens.  Depending on the day of the week, you'll see the enchanting Musical Gardens or Musical Fountains show. 

After your tour, you can head straight back to Paris on the train if your schedule is tight.  But if you have enough time for a longer visit, you can linger in the gardens, walk around the Grand Canal, and perhaps even enjoy a delicious French dinner in a nearby bistro before taking the train to Paris.

3.  Versailles Palace & Gardens: Ticket, Audio Guide, & Bus from Paris

If you want the convenience of bus transportation to and from Paris but prefer audio guides or exploring independently rather than taking a guided tour, then the Versailles Palace & Gardens: Ticket, Audio Guide, & Bus from Paris may be an excellent choice for you. 

You can choose a half-day (with morning or afternoon arrival) or a full day at the Chateau.  For the half-day afternoon tour, your ticket will give you access to the Palace and Gardens, where you can experience a Musical Fountains show or Musical Gardens on days when they take place.  When you choose the full-day excursion, you will also get access to the Grand and Petit Trianons, as well as to Marie Antoinette's Estate.  All options include an audio guide.

A host will accompany you on the air-conditioned bus from Paris and make sure you get through the skip-the-line entry to the Palace.  From there, you can spend your time discovering all the exciting wonders of this spectacular UNESCO World Heritage site.

More about Visiting the Palace of Versailles

• Top Things to See & Do at the Palace of Versailles - Plus visitor tips
• Best Ways to Get from Paris to Versailles Palace
• Best Hotels & Apartments near the Palace of Versailles

4.  From Paris: Day Trip to Giverny & Versailles

To visit both Claude Monet's home and gardens at Giverny as well as the Palace of Versailles in one day from Paris, this small group Giverny & Versailles Guided Day Trip makes that easy to do, thanks to the included transportation on a comfortable air-conditioned coach.

You'll tour Giverny at your own pace with a self-guided audio app.  After a quick lunch break, you'll head to Versailles where you'll have a guided tour of the Palace's most famous rooms, and then explore the beautiful gardens on your own.

The Giverny portion of the tour includes a ticket to Monet's house and gardens.  At Versailles, your ticket also admits you to the Palace and Gardens. 

Best Skip-the-Line Guided Tours of the Palace of Versailles

For these tours, you'll take the train on your own from Paris to Versailles, and then meet your guide after you exit the station.  Together, you'll walk to the Chateau and because you're with a guide, you get the benefit of entering quickly through the guided tour-only gate. 

5.  Versailles Palace: Skip-the-Line Guided Tour 

The Versailles Palace: Skip-the-Line Guided Tour is perfect if you want to explore the spectacular Palace with an expert and learn a bit about Louis XIV (the "Sun King"), Marie Antoinette, and the leading members of the French monarchy who once lived here. 

After you meet your guide and go into the Palace through the priority entrance, your guide will introduce you to this architectural masterpiece.  Then, as you explore the most important rooms, such as the elaborate King's and Queen's Royal Apartments and the magnificent Hall of Mirrors, your guide will point out treasures you might not see on your own. 

When you book:  You can choose to do this tour with a group or as a private experience.

After your tour, you can continue exploring the Palace on your own, but please note: this tour does not include access to the Gardens.  If you want to also tour the sumptuous Gardens, with or without a guide, during the period when the Musical Garden and Musical Fountains shows take place, you'll need a ticket - so check out the following option below!

6. Versailles Palace & Gardens: Skip-the-Line Guided Tour

Like the previous tour, the Versailles Palace & Gardens Skip-the-Line Guided Tour includes fast entry to the Palace through the priority gate used by tour guides.  You also get a fascinating guided tour of the Palace's most important rooms and can choose between a group and a private experience.

But here's the difference:  This offer also includes a ticket to the statue-filled Royal Gardens (on days when they're not free) where you can see beautiful flowers and ornate fountains.  Your ticket to the Gardens also includes Musical Fountains or Musical Gardens, depending on the day.

When you book your ticket, you can include a guided tour of the Gardens - or choose just to get an entry ticket and explore on your own.

When Can You Enter Versailles' Royal Gardens for Free? 

Currently, free entry days include Wednesdays during September and October, and every day from November through March. 

What happens on the other days?   Musical Fountains shows take place on Saturdays and Sundays from late May through October and on Bastille Day (July 14).  Musical Gardens take place on Tuesdays through Fridays during July and August, and on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays during September and October.

When you choose a tour ticket that includes admission to the Gardens on a day when Musical Fountains or Musical Gardens take place, you get to experience these special events.

Best Guided Bike Tours of Versailles

Versailles's mostly flat terrain and expansive grounds makes this the perfect location for bike tours. 

7.  Versailles Bike Tour with Palace & Queen's Farm Entrance

On the Versailles Bike Tour with Palace & Queen's Farm Entrance,  you'll meet up with your guide and the rest of your tour group in Paris and take the train together to Versailles. 

Once there, you'll visit the traditional farmers' market to pick up cheese, fruits, and charcuterie for a picnic lunch later in the day by the Grand Canal.

After a quick stop to pick up your bike (plus rain ponchos, just in case!), you're off to cycle around the Chateau's landscaped parklands and sumptuous gardens.   With over 2,000 acres, the place is enormous - so you'll appreciate having both a guide and a bike! 

Your guide will also take you to see the smaller palaces of the Grand and Petit Trianons as well as Marie-Antoinette's Hameau, her rustic village, and her farm.  Meanwhile, your guide will share lots of information about the incredible places you're seeing as well as the colorful French kings and queens who once lived there.

Finally, you'll visit the Palace of Versailles with the skip-the-line entry ticket included as part of your tour.  This portion of the trip is on your own, so you can use the included audio guide and explore the Hall of Mirrors and other opulent rooms at your own pace before heading back to Paris on the train.

8.  Paris: Versailles Sunset Bike Tour with Fireworks Show (& After-Hours Palace Entrance!)

The seasonal (late spring through early fall) Paris: Versailles Sunset Bike Tour with Fireworks Show  gives you three phenomenal experiences:

1. The spectacular evening Fountains Show in Versailles' Royal Gardens

2. Exclusive after-hours admission to the Palace where you'll see costumed performers and musicians as they sing, dance, and play musical instruments as you explore the Royal Chambers and other famous rooms without encountering crowds of other visitors.

3.  An unforgettable fireworks display over the Grand Canal.

In addition, you'll have plenty of time to ride your bike around the Estate with your guide and see the famous gardens, the Petit Trianon and Grand Trianon, and Marie-Antoinette's Hamlet.  You'll even enjoy a picnic dinner.

Similar to the previous daytime tour by bike, you'll meet your guide in central Paris and go together to Versailles on the train.  Once you reach Versailles and pick up your bike, you'll head to the market square to pick up food for a picnic dinner.

Once you reach the Palace grounds, you'll explore the estate, with stops at Marie-Antoinette's Hameau, the Petit and Grand Trianons, and finally the Grand Canal, where you'll enjoy your picnic dinner. 

Finally, you'll get after-hours entrance to the Palace and Gardens, where the magical evening entertainment unfolds.

After the fireworks, you'll return to Paris by train where your tour ends.

Want to bike from Paris to Versailles?  Find out how

Best Combo Tours of Versailles + Giverny or Fontainbleau

When your schedule allows time for only one day trip from Paris, these guided tours from Paris let you experience Versailles and Giverny or Versailles and Fontainbleau in a single day. 

9. Versailles & Giverny Day Tour with Lunch at Moulin de Fourges

Giverny & Versailles Day Tour with Lunch - Medium (14 or less) group tour in a minibus. 

When you arrive at Giverny, you'll explore Impressionist artist Claude Monet's home, gardens, and the ponds where water lilies inspired his most famous paintings.

After enjoying a delicious 3-course lunch with wine at Moulin de Fourges, a restaurant in a delightful old mill house by a scenic river about 5 miles from Giverny, you'll head to Versailles, where an art historian will lead you on a guided tour of the most famous rooms including the Hall of Mirrors.  Headsets will be provided to enable you to hear the guide. 

This tour also includes access to Versailles' magnificent gardens,  which means you'll get to see the Fountain Show or Musical Gardens on the days when they're available.

Please note: the private option mentioned in the "Includes" section of online description appears to not be available at the current time.

10.  Versailles Palace & Château de Fontainebleau

Fontainebleau, like Versailles, is a magnificent palace which grew from a modest medieval hunting lodge.  The Palace overlooks a large lake and spectacular gardens including the largest formal garden in Europe.  It has served as a residence for numerous French rulers including 34 kings and two emperors from the 12th through the 19th century. 

The best way to see both Versailles and Fontainebleau in a single day is to sign up for a Chateau de Fontainbleau & Chateau de Versailles Private Tour.

Your driver/guide will pick you up at your hotel, will first take you to the Chateau de Fontainebleau for a private tour of the magnificent palace, where you'll also see Napoleon's Throne.  

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Today the Palace is open from 9:00 am to 6:30 pm.

• Tickets and prices
• For families
• Visits and advice

Essential information about opening times and access 

• The Palace and the estate of Trianon are open every day except on Mondays. The Palace opens at 9:00 am, the estate of Trianon opens at 12:00 pm.
• The Park and Gardens are open every day. Access to the Gardens is free except on days of fountains shows  and musical gardens . 
• There are three train stations in Versailles : Versailles Château Rive Gauche station, Versailles Rive Droite station and the Chantiers station.
• Accessibility measures have been put in place to facilitate the visit of visitors with disabilities. 
• Access to the Park through the Queen's Gate (pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles), the entrance fee is 12 euros per vehicle and through the Sailors' Gate (pedestrians and cyclists). Read all access and times below.
• A car park is available at the Place d'Armes  (consult rates ). Several bicycle parks are available.
• Remember to book the audioguide , available in 12 languages. A distribution desk is available in the Vestibule of the Gabriel Pavilion (every day except on Mondays).
• Consult the interactive map to locate the places to visit and the services available to you (restaurants, toilets, access, etc.).
• See the rules of visit , which are essential for the comfort of visitors and the protection of the heritage.

Read the FAQ   Conditions for free admission  

Opening times

The Palace 9.00 am - 6.30 pm Closed on Mondays and on 1 st of May

The Estate of Trianon 12.00 pm - 6.30 pm Closed on Mondays and on 1 st of May

The Gardens 8.00 am - 8.30 pm Open every day

The Park 7.00 am - 8.30 pm Open every day

Exceptions and detailed opening times

Open every day except on Mondays and on 1 st of May Opening times: 9.00 am – 6.30 pm Last admission: 6 pm Ticket office closes at  5.45 pm

The Estate of Trianon

Open every day except on Mondays and on 1 st of May Opening times:  12.00 am – 6.30pm

Last admission: 6.00 pm Ticket office closes at 5.50 pm

The gardens close at 7.30 pm (evacuation begins at 7.00 pm)

The Gallery of Coaches

Open every WE and French Bank holidays (except Mondays).  Opening hours:  12.30 pm - 6.30 pm  Last admission : 5.45 pm

From 1 st July to 30 th September: open Tuesday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. Last admission : 5.45 pm Access : Free

The Sculptures and Mouldings Gallery Open every WE and French Bank holidays (except Mondays).  Opening hours:  12.30 pm - 6.30 pm  Last admission : 5.45 pm From 1 st July to 30 th September: open Tuesday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. Last admission : 5.45 pm Access : Free

The Estate of Marly

Open every day from 7 am to 7.30 pm (last access: 7 pm )

Extended opening on Saturdays and Sundays from mid-May to mid-September: 

• until 9.30pm on Saturdays and Sundays from 14 May 2024 to 29 August 2023 inclusive,
• until 8.30pm on Saturdays and Sundays from 3 September 2023 to 18 September 2023 inclusive.

The Gardens

Open every day from  8.00 am to 8.30 pm Last admission: 7.00 pm save exceptional weather (snow, violent winds...)

Early closing at 5:30pm every Saturday from June 8 to September 21 (Night Fountains Shows), as well as March 29, 30 and 31, Saturday May 18, Friday June 28, Sunday July 14, Friday August 9, Sunday August 11 and Thursday August 15, and October 27, 29, 30 and 31. Early closing at 6.30pm on Wednesday June 26.

Pedestrian access through the honour courtyard or through the Park (gates of Little Venice , Menagerie and Neptune ) from 7 am to 8.30 pm and through the Dragon Gate from 7 am to 7.30 pm (last access 7 pm).

Open every day from 7.00 am to 8.30 pm Last admission at 7.45 p.m save exceptional weather (snow, violent winds...)

Pedestrian access via :

• The Queen's Gate (7.00 am - 8.30 pm, last admission at 7.45 pm)
• The Sailors' Gate (7.00 am - 7.30 pm, last admission at 7.00 pm)
• The Saint-Anthony's Gate (7.00 am - 7.30 pm, last admission at 7.00 pm)
• The Honour Gate (7.00 am - 7.30 pm, last admission at 7.00 pm)
• The Royal Star Gate  is closed
• The Chapel Gate (9.00am - 5.30pm, except on monday)

Access for vehicles via :

• The Queen's Gate (9.00 am - last admission 5.50 pm)
• The Saint-Anthony's Gate (9.00 am - last admission 5.50 pm - only on weekends and on French bank holidays)

The Royal Tennis Court

The Royal Tennis court is open on WE Opening hours:  12.30 pm - 6.30 pm 

Open every day except on Mondays Opening times: 9.00am – 5.30pm Last admission: 5pm Ticket office closes at 4.50pm

Closed on December 25 th , 2023 and January 1st, 2024

Open every day except on Mondays Opening Times: 12.00pm – 5.30pm Last admission: 5.00pm Ticket office closes at 4.50 pm

Opened every Saturday and Sunday : Opening hours: 12.30pm - 5.30pm  Last admission : 4.45pm Access : Free

The Sculptures and Mouldings Gallery

The Sculptures and Mouldings Gallery is closed.

Pedestrian access opened every day via the Bourg gate (RD7) from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm . Last admission : 5.30 pm

Access every day from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm via the Royal gate, the two doors gate, the flying heart gate, the King's gate and the Stadium's gate.

Open every day, from  8.00 am to 6.00 pm  save exceptional weather (snow, violent winds...).

Pedestrian access through the honour courtyard or through the Park (gates of Little Venice , Menagerie and Neptune ) from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm and through the Dragon Gate every saturday, sunday and on French bank holidays from 1.00 pm to 6.30 pm (last admission 6.00 pm).

Open every day from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm  (last admission 5.30 pm) save exceptional weather (snow, violent winds...).

Pedestrian and bicyles access via:

• The Queen's Gate (pedestrian and bicyles access, 8.00 am - 5.30 pm)
• The Sailors' Gate  (pedestrian and bicyles access, 8.00 am - 5.30 pm)
• The Saint Anthony's Gate  (pedestrian and bicyles access, 8.00 am - 5.30 pm)
• The Honour Gate  (pedestrian access, 8.00 am - 5.30 pm)
• The Chapel Gate (9.00 am - 5.30pm, except on monday)

Access for vehicles every day from 9.00 am to 4.50 pm via the Queen's Gate and the Saint Anthony's Gate .

The Royal Tennis court is open for guided tours.

Getting to the Palace

Château de Versailles Place d’Armes, 78000 Versailles

Your route on Google Maps

Versailles Château Rive Gauche train station 10 minutes on foot to get to the Palace

More transportation options

RER line C arrives at Versailles Château - Rive Gauche  train station, just 10 minutes’ walk to the Palace.  Please note that  no RER C trains will be running between Paris Austerlitz and Javel stations from 15 July to 26 August.

SNCF trains from Gare Montparnasse arrive at  Versailles Chantiers train station , which is 18 minutes on foot to the Palace.

SNCF trains from Gare Saint Lazare arrive at  Versailles Rive Droite train station , 17 minutes on foot to the Palace.

Purchase  two ticket (two-way trip) from your point of departure to the Versailles train station, or use a pass (Navigo, Mobilis or Paris Visite) covering zones 1 to 4, if you come from Paris. T+ tickets cannot be used for this journey .

RER C and SNCF train times are available on www.transilien.com

Figure out your route and rates

The  RATP bus line 171 runs between Pont de Sèvres (terminus of the Paris metro line 9) and the Palace of Versailles in 30 minutes without traffic.

T+ tickets can be used for this journey .

Journey times and routes available on the RATP website

With Tootbus, take advantage of a combined ticket (bus journey + Passport ticket )

See the offer

Two return trips per day

From the A13 motorway, take exit no.5 Versailles Centre and follow the signs for the Palace of Versailles. GPS coordinates for the Palace of Versailles: 48.48'17N and 2.07'15E

Paying parkings

There are several paying car parks.  See the access and parking possibilities on the interactive map In front of the Palace:   Place d’Armes  cars and coaches – open 24 hours a day (consult rates ). In the park:  at the Grand Canal, Petit Trianon, Grand Trianon, Queen’s Hamlet. Parking for coaches only at the Trianon crossroads – paying access via:

• The Queen’s Gate, open for vehicles from 9am to 4.50pm or 5.50pm (in low or high season respectively)

• The Saint Anthony's Gate, open for vehicles from 9am to 5.50pm (only on weekends during high season)  

Parkings and disabled access

All types of admission and parking listed above are free upon presentation of proof of disability (disability card or European disabled parking permit), with reserved parking spaces. In addition to these car parks, the car park at the Neptune Gate is reserved for disabled people. Upon presentation of proof of disability, you may park or be dropped off right next to the Palace in the Main Courtyard near entrance B.

• via the Queen's Gate 

• via the Sailors' Gate

• via the Saint Anthony Gate 

All about cycling in the Estate of Versailles here .

The main entrance to the Palace of Versailles is through the Cour d'Honneur.

The Estate of Trianon can be reached from the Palace by crossing the Gardens and the Park (30 minutes on foot).

All detailed accesses

The main entrance to the Place of Versailles is through the Main Courtyard .

• If you do not have a ticket upon arrival, go to the ticket office first, situated on the left in the Main Courtyard in the South Ministers’ Wing , and then to  entrance A  of the Palace, which is reserved for individuals.

• If you have reserved your ticket online and have already printed it, go directly to  entrance A  of the Palace with your proof of identity or ticket.

• Visitors to the Palace arriving in groups enter at Entrance B, Pavillon Gabriel , on the right of the Cour d'Honneur.

To visit only the Estate of Trianon , which is open from 12.00 pm, go  directly to the entrances of the Grand or the Petit Trianon  where you will also find a ticket office.

Deposit required Due to the health measures, the left luggage service is temporarily suspended. Pushchairs and small bags are exceptionally tolerated inside the rooms. When the left luggage service is open, some objects ( pushchairs, metal baby carriers, suitcases, umbrellas ... ) are not allowed inside the rooms. 

Guided tours The guided tours welcome desk is in the North   M inisters’ Wing (on the right in the Main Courtyard). If you have booked a  guided tour  via our online ticket office , check the point of departure of the tour and go directly to this point.

Disabled access A pedestrian path from the Main Gate grants easy access to the Royal Gate and entrance A. Guide dogs and animal trainers are allowed upon presentation of proof of eligibility. Non-motorized wheelchairs are provided free of charge for the visit of the Palace.

Access to these visit areas: the permanent collections of the Palace, the Estate of Trianon, and the temporary exhibitions, are free for people with disabilities and their companion: a reduced rate is offered for guided tours and activities "family".

The Estate of Trianon is open from 12.00 pm.

From the Palace via the Gardens and Park On foot (30 minutes), on the little train or in an electric vehicle (20 minutes). Go through the Prince’s Courtyard to enter the gardens. NB: the admission to the Gardens is charged during Musical Fountains Shows and Musical Gardens  (included with the Passport ).

From the city via the Park, in high season:

Pedestrian access via:

• The Main Gate (8.00 am - 8.30pm, last admission at 7.00 pm)
• The Queen's Gate (7.00 am - 8.30 pm, last admission at 8.00 pm)
• The Sailors' Gate (9.30 am, last admission at 6.30pm)  
• The Saint Anthony's Gate (9.30 am, last admission at 6.30pm) 

Paying access for vehicles via :

• The Queen's Gate (9.00 am - 4.50 pm)
• The Saint Anthony's Gate (only on weekends, 9.00 am - last admission 5.50 pm)  

Disabled access It is advisable to go to the Trianon Palaces and Marie-Antoinette’s Estate by car or bus from the city, or in an electric vehicle from the Palace. Entry via the Queen’s Gate and parking are free upon presentation of proof of disability (proof of disability card or European disabled parking permit) with reserved spaces. There are access ramps at the entrances to the Trianon Palaces. Only the garden level of the Petit Trianon is accessible to disabled visitors.

The Park is open every day (except during exceptional weather: snow, violent winds, etc) with access via the gardens or the city.

See the points of access on the interactive map

You can enter the park via three entrances from the city, depending on what you want to see:

•  The Queen’s Gate (north-east): located on Boulevard de la Reine, near the gardens. Open for pedestrians and bike from 7.00 am to 6.00 pm or 8.30pm according to the season, and for vehicles from 9.00 am to 4.50pm or 5.50pm (paying access for vehicles).

•  The Saint Anthony Gate (north): situated on the D186 from Le Chesnay, near Marie-Antoinette’s Estate. Open for pedestrians and bikes from 9.30 am to 6.00 pm or 7.30 pm according to the season. Open for vehicles from 9am to 5.50pm only on weekends and holidays during high season (paying access for vehicles, last access 5:50pm). 

•  The Sailors’ Gate (south) : situated on the road to Saint-Cyr (D10). Open for pedestrians and bikes from 9.30am to 6.00 pm or 7.30 pm according to the season.  

The gardens are open every day (except during exceptional weather: snow, violent winds, etc). Admission is free except during  Musical Fountains Shows and Musical Gardens  (included with the Passport ). 

See the entry points on the interactive map

The Gardens can only be accessed on foot, in the little train or in an electric vehicle hired on site. Bikes, horses and all other forms are transport are forbidden in the Gardens.

You can access the Gardens from the Palace through the Princes’ Courtyard (next to the entrance A and the exit from the Palace).

There are two entrances to the Gardens from the Park:

• The Main Gate
•  The Neptune Gate : at the northern end of the gardens next to the Neptune Fountain.
•  The Little Venice Gate and the Menagerie gate : at the western end of the gardens next to the Grand Canal.

For shows in the Palace , the Royal Opera House, the Royal Chapel or for the Royal Serenada, admission is via entrance B of the Palace. Those who wish to collect a ticket at the desk or buy a ticket for the show on site must use the same entrance.

See entrance B and the Princes’ Courtyard on the interactive map

See the points of access on www.chateauversailles-spectacles.fr

More information : + 33 (0) 1 30 83 78 89 or [email protected] 

The Coach Gallery is located on the ground floor of the Great Stables.

See location on the interactive map

Admission is free and it is open every Saturday and Sunday, from 12.30 pm to 5.30 pm or 6.30 pm (in low season and high season respectively).

The National Equestrian Academy of the Estate of Versauilles  is located next to the Gallery of Coaches.

Quick access

The daily life of the king

A day in the life of Louis XIV

Services on site.

Discover the Estate, the history and the collections

Explore an oustanding Estate

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