Versailles is best appreciated on a day with nice weather, but it was a cold, grey day when I visited the palace and gardens.
Spits of rain came and went throughout the morning. My trip to France happened to be at the tail end of winter, so the statues in the garden still covered up with wooden boxes to protect them from frost. Despite the gloomy conditions, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was still possible to appreciate the beauty of this extravagant country palace.
The gardens, while devoid of flowers, still had the hedges trimmed and the beds ready for a spring show of colour. It was impeccably tidy, and the lack of tourists during the winter months made it easy to quietly explore.
Warming up inside the palace walls, I wandered through each room, eyes blinded from the amount of gold leaf reflecting the light of the chandeliers around the rooms, thinking about how much Europeans once desired volumes of intricate detail in their decor. In modern times, we decorate important rooms with what could be considered a classy touch of minimalism and simplicity (just take a look at the modern Oval Office to see what I mean), but in 17th and 18th-century France it was all about bombarding the senses with an overwhelming amount of lavish details.
If you’ve got a few days in the French capital, then I guarantee that a Versailles day trip from Paris will not leave you disappointed.
Quick summary:
Planning a day trip to Versailles from Paris? This guide covers everything you need to know—from how to get there by train, when to visit, what tickets to buy, and what to see in the palace and gardens.
Recommended tours and tickets:
🎟️ Versailles Tickets – Access to the entire estate: palace, gardens, Trianon Estate, and audio guide
🏰 Guided Tour of the Palace – Includes skip-the-line entry and commentary from an expert guide
🚆 Half-Day Tour from Paris – Great for those short on time; includes transport and highlights of Versailles
About Versailles:
The Palace of Versailles (or or Château de Versailles) is an opulent mansion filled with golden decor and beautiful art, with an exceptionally lovely garden. Tourists in France enjoy visiting Versailles as it makes an enjoyable day trip from Paris, and it gives people the opportunity to view important French historical monuments outside of the big city.
The palace was originally a hunting lodge by Louis XIII in 1623. It was transformed and expanded by his son, Louis XIV, into a grand palace and the seat of political power in France from 1682 until the French Revolution in 1789. Nowadays, Versailles is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is open to the public for visitors to experience the grandeur of the historic monarchy.
The combined palace and gardens cover a huge area, so I would highly recommend putting aside a full day to visit Versailles.
🚆 If you won’t have an entire day to spare, then it might be worth booking a guided half-day tour from Paris to see the best of Versailles in a short timeframe.
How to get to Versailles by train:
The Palace of Versailles is located about 20 kilometers (12 miles) outside of Paris. The train to Versailles is easily for tourists to navigate – just hop on the RER C line (from Saint-Michel Notre-Dame, Musee d’Orsay, Champ de Mars Eiffel Tower, or other city stations) which will take you to Versailles Château Rive Gauche station in about 40 minutes. After exiting the station, it’s a 10-minute walk to the palace entrance.
If you’ll be relying on Google Maps or train apps to get around Paris, make sure you’ve sorted your data before leaving home—an eSIM for international travel is the easiest way to stay connected. With this option, you can also have calls and texts while abroad.
Versailles tickets:
🎟️ To make the most of your time at Versailles, I’d suggest booking your tickets in advance to secure a timed entry slot into the palace.
There are a variety of ticket types available for purchase, which is rather confusing if you don’t know what parts of the estate you want to see. You can choose to get access to the palace (no gardens), the entire estate, or there are special tickets that include access to fountain shows, musical shows, equestrian shows, and more.
Most visitors would go for the Passport ticket for 32 Euro, which grants access to the entire estate including the palace, estate and gardens. This also includes an audio guide for a self-directed walk through of the palace.
🏰 Alternatively, you can book a guided tour of Versailles Palace which includes entrance tickets as well as commentary from a knowledgeable guide on the palace features and history.
When to visit Versailles:
The Palace of Versailles is one of France’s most popular tourist attractions, so it can get very busy. Timing your visit can make a big difference to avoiding the heaviest crowds.
If you can, plan your trip for a weekday. Arriving around the opening time (9 AM) will allow you to explore the palace before the large tour groups arrive.
The palace is closed on Mondays, so plan accordingly.
Versailles Palace attractions:
The State Apartments – This is where you’ll find the King’s Grand Apartments and the Hall of Mirrors. This iconic gallery is adorned with 357 mirrors, crystal chandeliers, and gilded sculptures.
The Queen’s Apartments – Adjacent to the King’s Apartments, the Queen’s Apartments are equally as lavish. Marie Antoinette’s personal touches can be seen in the decor and furnishings. The Queen’s Bedroom, with its ornate ceiling and grand bed, is particularly noteworthy.
Versailles Gardens attractions:
The Grand Perspective – Step outside to explore the expansive gardens, designed by André Le Nôtre. The Grand Perspective, extending from the palace to the Grand Canal, offers stunning views with sculptures and fountains lining the way.
The Fountain Shows – If you visit on a day with Musical Fountain Shows (usually weekends and Tuesdays in peak season), you’ll have the opportunity to watch choreographed displays which bring the fountains to life. Note that this may require a special ticket.
The Trianon Estate – A short walk or mini-train ride from the main palace, the Trianon Estate includes the Grand Trianon, Petit Trianon, and the Queen’s Hamlet. The Grand Trianon, with its elegant colonnades and pink marble, served as a retreat for the royal family.
Tips for visiting Versailles:
- Pack a picnic. There are several dining options within the estate, from casual cafes to more formal restaurants, but if you have nice weather and want to enjoy the gardens to their fullest, pack a picnic of french cheese and bread for a budget-friendly meal on the lawns.
- Wear comfortable shoes. As I mentioned earlier, the estate is huuuuge and the gardens have gravel paths, so make sure your footwear is appropriate. You’ll be doing a lot of walking.
- Check the weather forecast before you visit. While the palace interiors are protected from the elements, the gardens are best seen in nice weather. Don’t forget to bring an umbrella or rain jacket if there’s a chance of rain.
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