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
Versailles Pro Tip #2: Use the Versailles App
Contributor: Kenny, Knycx Journeying
Versailles Pro Tip #3: Book a Group Tour and Pack a Picnic
Contributor: Nicole, Go Far Grow Close
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 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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Thanks for sharing. I will bookmark this for when we visit.
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