Tuesday, Nov 05, 2024

12 Pro Tips for Visiting Versailles

12 Pro Tips for Visiting Versailles

Visiting Versailles is on many travelers’ bucket lists, and for good reason – it’s incredibly gorgeous and so full of history! However, a little preparation will go a long way towards making your visit to Versailles extra enjoyable. I’ve teamed up with some other travel bloggers to bring you 12 of our best pro tips for visiting Versailles.

Versailles Pro Tip #1: A Cheap Hack for Traveling by Train

Contributor: Lena, Salut from Paris

Most visitors that are taking a day trip to Versailles either choose a guided tour to Versailles starting from Paris, or a train to Versailles Rive Gauche, the closest train station to the castle. However, if you are traveling on a budget, you will be interested to know that there is a cheaper option: choosing the station Versailles Chantier as your destination. The roundtrip on the N Train from Montparnasse to Versailles Chantier costs only €6 (about $7 US). You don’t need to worry about catching the wrong train. All trains of Line N stop in Versailles Chantier, and the line splits up only after the Versailles station. The walk from the station is a bit longer if you choose this option, but it’s not an unpleasant journey.
12 pro Tips for Visiting Versailles
Courtesy: Unsplash

Versailles Pro Tip #2: Use the Versailles App

Contributor: Kenny, Knycx Journeying

Versailles covers 8.15 square kilometers (3.15 square miles) of land, including the palaces, the gardens, the Trianon Estate and the Gallery of Coaches. As a result, it can be quite overwhelming to first-time visitors. If you want to understand more about the history, design, and must-see highlights of the site in a short period of time, you can either participate in a local or museum tour, or rent an audio guide at the entrance.
Gates at Versailles
Courtesy: Unsplash
If you wish to explore the palace at your own pace, in fact, you can download a free mobile app that offers all audio recordings and information about Versailles. It is available in twelve languages, and works on both smartphones and tablets. The narration is professionally recorded, with an interactive geolocated map and supported reference text and images. Download the content when you are connected to Wi-Fi, as it will help you navigate and appreciate the beauty of Versailles so much easier. 

Versailles Pro Tip #3: Book a Group Tour and Pack a Picnic

Contributor: Nicole, Go Far Grow Close

There are two tips  that I would recommend when visiting Versailles. First and most important, book a group tour. There are many tours offered. They can focus solely on the gardens, the main palace, or even the King’s Private Apartments, just to name a few. By doing so, you not only get to learn a little bit more about French history and certain aspects of Versailles, but you most importantly get to skip the main admission line. Under normal circumstances, the entrance line up can be massive. With a tour, you meet the tour guide in a designated spot, and you enter the complex separately. After the tour, you are allowed to explore the rest of Versailles on your own, without returning to the main admission entrance.
Aerial view of Versailles
Courtesy: Unsplash

Secondly, bring a picnic. The gardens in Versailles are truly magical and enormous. You will want to put on very comfortable walking shoes, put aside a few hours, and bring a delicious picnic to properly explore it. Food and drinks are served in kiosks throughout the gardens, but they are busy, expensive, and do not nearly offer the selection that you can find at supermarkets, boulangeries, and other food stores found in France for a wonderful picnic.

Versailles Pro Tip #4: Instead of Walking, BIKE!

Contributor: Elisa, World in Paris

Versailles is much more than the Palace and Trianons. Surrounding the château on three sides, the Gardens of Versailles are a wonderful place to explore too and they can be visited independently from the Palace. Renting a bike is a fun way to explore the Gardens of Versailles and you can stop when you want for a picnic on the grass or combine the bike ride with a rowboat ride through the canal (boat rental at La Petite Venice).
You can transport your own bike by train from Paris (look for the dedicated wagons) or rent it on-site at La Grille de la Reine (the closest point to the train station) or near la Petite Venice.
Inside Versailles
Courtesy: Unsplash

Versailles Pro Tip #5: Go When the Fountains are On

Contributor: James, Travel Collecting

Versailles’ Hall of Mirrors may one of the most famous places in France, but it is the spectacular fountains scattered throughout the gardens of Versailles that are its true jewels.

Unfortunately, the fountains are not turned on all the time. So, if you possibly can, it is well worth timing your visit with a day that the fountains are on.

Fountains at Versailles
Courtesy: Versailles

There are two options:

The fountains are turned on (with a musical accompaniment) at various times throughout the day every Saturday and Sunday from late May to the end of October, as well as Bastille Day, July 14.  If you are traveling during this time and can go on the weekend, you can easily combine your tour of the palace with a day spent wandering around the gardens enjoying the stunning fountains and groves.

If you just want to see the fountains, every Saturday night from mid-June to mid-September (plus Bastille Day), there is a Night Fountains Shows from 8:30pm to 10:45pm, ending with a stunning fireworks display at the Apollo’s chariot fountain.

Versailles Pro Tip #6: Go EARLY in the Morning, Like VERY Early

Contributor:Martina, PlacesofJuma

A real insider tip for an unforgettable visit to the Château de Versailles is an early morning walk. Most tourists know that the castle opens at 9:00am. Only a few, however, know that the gardens can be visited from 8:00am. If you go at this time, you will be able to admire the whole area at its best. There are hardly any tourists in the morning, so you have the opportunity to take amazing photos without any crowds. When the castle opens at 9:00am, the first visitors come into the garden. The best thing about it is that since they will likely visit the castle afterwards, you still have almost the whole castle to yourself at 9:00am!

Inside Versailles
Courtesy: Unsplash

Versailles Pro Tip #7: Head to the Estate of Trianon in the Gardens for Fewer Crowds

Contributor: Rachel, Means to Explore

Another Tips for Visiting Versailles is Escaping the midday overwhelming crowds at the Palace of Versailles by heading into the back right corner of the legendary gardens to visit the Estate of Trianon, consisting of three houses and their gardens: the Petit Trianon, the Grand Trianon, and the Queen’s Hamlet.

These three structures are two mini-palaces and an idealized farm, but each has a unique story to tell. The Queen’s Hamlet was constructed as a romanticized version of a rural farm village, for Queen Marie Antoinette to imagine herself away from court.

Courtesy: Unsplash

The Petit Trianon provided a private getaway for a king and his mistress, and the Grand Trianon was Napoleon’s palace of choice. Each has their own gorgeous architectural details and gilded splendor that you’d see in the main palace, but with far fewer people.

If the weather is nice, walk or bike through the gardens and the park and admire the fountains and scenery. If you need to get off your feet, the mini train at the gardens entrance at the main palace will take you to the entrances of both the Petit and Grand Trianon.

Versailles Pro Tip #8: The Estate of Trianon is Free with Admission and Has a Steamy History

Contributor: Haley, Haley Blackall

Versailles is more than just the main palace and gardens. Located at the back of the property, adjacent to the grand canal, is the Grand Trianon, a small elegant villa. The Grand Trianon was commissioned in 1670 by Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King, to get away from the pomp of court life and pursue his affairs. He built the Petit Trianon for his best mistress, a smaller yet still elegant version of the Grand Trianon, located right next door.

Both villas boast a refined French Baroque architectural style with large walkways, pillars, and arches. Venture to the back of the Petit Trianon property and you will find the charming Temple of Love. Make sure to bring your best camera, as these sights are picture-worthy!

The Grand Trianon, Petit Trianon, and Hamlet are all included in the ticket price for the Palace of Versailles.

A ceiling in Versailles
Courtesy: Unsplash

Versailles Pro Tip #9: Don’t Miss A Special Night Time Experience

Contributor: Angela, Where Angie Wanders

Versailles is a stunning place to visit during the day but as dusk falls in the summer months, a very special experience awaits first-time visitors.

Another Tips for Visiting Versailles is the Versailles Fountains and Firework show comes alive and the palace gardens become a playground of dancing fountains, baroque music and characters, bubble machines filling the air with magic, and of course the finale, the most fabulous firework show you could imagine.

Fireworks at Versailles
Courtesy: Versailles Palace

Tickets need to be bought separately from the normal Versailles Palace entry but you could spend a full day here by exploring the palace in the day and then seeing the fountains and firework show in the evening.

Versailles can be reached from Paris by rail, coach, or car, or better still you can book into accommodation near Versailles and enjoy spending a few days in the area.

Versailles Pro Tip #10: Grab Some Bubbly!

Contributor: Stephanie, History Fan Girl

One of the most decadent things you can do in Versailles is pick up a small bottle of champagne. You can purchase it at the La Flottille Takeaway in the gardens of Versailles. From here, you can choose to drink your champagne at the tables or walk the gardens with your bubbly in hand.

The Veuve Pelletier & Fils Brut is nice champagne with a good reputation for being a quality bottle at better prices than more expensive and more well-known brands. Nothing feels fancier than walking the grounds while sipping on French champagne in a place where it once flowed freely at some of the most lavish parties in the world!

Louis XIV drank champagne at Versailles every day, so you’re just partaking in a centuries-old Versailles tradition while you visit one of the most important historic sites near Paris.

Courtesy: History Fan Girl

Versailles Pro Tip #11: It’s An All-Day Thing

Contributor: Stephanie, Wandering Why Traveler

I’m a fast traveler, so I like to see as much as possible in a day. One major regret that I have regarding my trip to Versailles is that I didn’t realize that it was an all-day affair. I’ve had museums say that their grounds take a long time, but I’m in and out in two hours.

Not the case with Versailles. It really is an all-day thing.

Courtesy: Wandering Why Traveler

Waiting in line takes up a lot of time. Then there’s visiting the grounds which are very extensive. I didn’t realize that it’s not just a few pretty flowers. There’s row boat rides, cafes, walking paths, the royal stables, and more. EVERYTHING requires a ton of walking. And that’s even before you get to the palace which is massive and can easily take two to three hours. And THEN there’s the Domaine de Marie-Antoinette on top of all of that.

I was so cranky because I didn’t do my research and was met with severe exhaustion. Plus, I made really poor footwear and outfit choices. Make sure you rest up before your excursion, it’s a big day.

Versailles Pro Tip #12: Learn Before You Go

Contributor: Erica, Trip Scholars

A top tip for visiting Versailles is to make the most of your time before departure by learning more about the historic palace. The Palace of Versailles has long been an important location for major historic events and movements. It’s much more than a visitor can take in during a single visit. Curious travelers can extend the joy of their trip by diving deep into the history of the palace in the months preceding their visit. 

Entertain and educate yourself with movies, documentaries, podcasts, books, music, and artwork all related to the history of the palace. This is exciting history, and you will find yourself always wanting to learn more! 

Once you arrive, your efforts will reward you with a much richer experience. You will understand the symbolism and myths represented throughout the palace and gardens. You will be able to see in your mind’s eye the events that changed Europe and the world as you walk through the rooms you have learned so much about. Plus, you can extend your visit into months or years of enjoyable study about one of the most fascinating places in Europe!

Courtesy: Unsplash

1 comment

  • Sara Tyler Sunday, September 5th, 2021 01:35 AM

    Thanks for sharing. I will bookmark this for when we visit.

    Reply

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