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Best Palace of Versailles Tours

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• 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. 

In case you're wondering if the priority fast-track entrance is worth the extra cost, this is what the lines can look when you're waiting to go through the regular non-priority entrance:

Some of the priority fast-track entrance options from Paris 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

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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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Welcome to Versailles

On October 1st, the opening of the Palace, the Gardens and the Park will be disrupted.  Find out more about the opening times .

This summer at the Palace of Versailles

To avoid waiting times, buy your tickets online

Due to the vigipirate plan, additional security measures are in place

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From the seat of power to a museum of the history of France

The estate of Trianon

A place of intimacy

The Gardens

The art of perspective

A haven of greenery

The Great Stables

The Coach Gallery

The estate of Marly

The small stables.

The Sculptures and Mouldings Gallery

The Royal Tennis Court

A Testament to the French Revolution

Exhibitions

18 June 2024 to 29 September 2024 / The Gardens

Eva Jospin - Versailles

The Palace of Versailles has invited the artist Eva Jospin to exhibit her creation Chambre de soie (Silk Room) in the Palace’s Orangery from 18 June to 29 September 2024.

From 2 July to 3 November 2024

Horse in Majesty

To coincide with the equestrian events at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, to be hosted on the Versailles estate, the Château is holding a major exhibition dedicated to horses and equestrian civilisation in Europe – the first exhibition on this theme to be presented on such a scale.

The 2024-2025 musical season

The Palace of Versailles is hosting numerous operas, concerts, gala evenings and ballets in some of its exceptional spaces, including the Royal Opera and the Royal Chapel. Check out the programme for the 2024–2025 music season at Versailles.

From April 1st to October 31th 2023

Fountains Shows and Musical Gardens

From April 1st to October 31st 2023, enjoy the Musical Gardens and the Great Musical Waters in the gardens and groves opened for the occasion. Every Saturday evening from 10 June to 23 September, Friday 14 July and Tuesday 15 August, discover the Gardens in the evening with the The Night Fountains Show.

Long-format

2024 the year of the horse

A digital discovery

Virtually Versailles

After highly successful runs in Singapore and Shanghai, the Virtually Versailles immersive exhibition is reaching out to international audiences at Hangzhou's Winland Center from May 2, 2024. A unique opportunity to discover Versailles from China.

Late-opening visits

Late-openings of the Horse in Majesty exhibition

On Friday September 27th and Tuesday October 15th 2024, take part in exceptional late opening to discover the The Horse in Majesty at the Heart of a Civilisation exhibition.

Free access

Opening of the Royal Tennis Court

Open free of charge from Tuesday to Sunday, 12:30 to 6:30 pm, the Royal Tennis court of Versailles became the birthplace of French democracy, linked to an important episode of the Revolution.

Choosing your ticket

Tickets, guided tours, free admissions...

Getting to Versailles

Opening times, access, public transportation...

Visiting Versailles

Advice and routes to better plan your visit

The official Palace of Versailles app.

The free application of the Palace offers audio tours to accompany your visit to the Estate (Palace, Gardens, Trianon Estate, etc.) as well as an interactive map.

Are you a regular visitor?

The best of Versailles for subscribers! For a whole year, benefit from numerous advantages thanks to the SOLO or DUO cards, and unlimited ticket access from only 65€.

22,000 artworks to discover online

With 60,000 artworks, collections of Versailles illustrate 5 centuries of French History. This set reflects the dual vocation of the Palace once inhabited by the sovereigns and then a museum dedicated "to all the glories of France" inaugurated by Louis-Philippe in 1837.

1787 — Elisabeth-Louise Vigée-Lebrun

Marie-Antoinette, reine de France, et ses enfants

1791 - 1792 — Jacques-Louis David

Le serment du Jeu de Paume, 20 juin 1789

1701 — Hyacinthe RIGAUD

1783 — Élisabeth Vigée Lebrun

Portrait de Marie-Antoinette

1665 — Gian-Lorenzo Bernini, dit (le) Bernin

Buste de Louis XIV

1678-1685 — Charles Le Brun

Le roi gouverne par lui-même, 1661

1846 — Horace Vernet

Le roi Louis-Philippe entouré de ses cinq fils [...]

1777 — Michel-Barthélémy Ollivier

Souper du prince

1706 — Antoine Morand

Pendule dite "de Louis XIV"

Video : trailer for the "eva jospin - versaille" exhibition.

Video : Etonnant Versailles - Episode 1 Versailles celebrates its 400th anniversary!

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How To Visit Versailles from Paris in 2024: Tickets, Hours, Tours, and More

Sean Finelli Last Updated: May 1, 2024

Could you really come all the way to Paris and not walk in the footsteps of Marie Antoinette and King Louis XVI? You won’t want to skip a trip to Versailles’ magnificent gardens and opulent palace , but you might be wondering how easy it is to get there from Paris. Don’t worry, you’re in the right place. Versailles is only a short day trip away, but you’ll need to plan your visit ahead of time. Here’s how to visit Versailles.

The Best Ways to Visit Versailles

• Book in advance, don’t just show up — the lines are insane.
• You’ll need at least 6 hours round trip from Paris.
• The grounds are huge so book a guide .
• Read this article and review our Versailles page .
• Bookmark this article so you can circle back to it later.

How to Visit Versailles from Paris: Overview and What To Expect

Since its completion in 1634, Versailles was the cultural heartbeat of Europe until 1789. It was the grandest palace the world had ever seen and quickly became the envy of every king and queen in Europe.

Today, Versailles is one of the blockbuster sites in Europe, and events here have shaped world history even up to the 20th century. The monumental architecture, gilded royal apartments, and lavish gardens are a sight to behold that leave every visitor breathless by its grandeur.

We’ll dive deeper into how to get to Versailles later, but know that the Palace of Versailles is a 45-minute drive outside of Paris or an easy 35-minute train ride away. The easiest way to get there is by taking RER (the bigger suburban trains) Line C from central Paris. You can easily connect from the underground Paris Metro to catch RER C at major stops like St. Michel (near the Notre Dame & Latin Quarter), Champ de Mars (Eiffel Tower), or Musee D’Orsay.

In this guide, we’ll explore what you need to know about tickets to Versailles, opening hours, what you should see, how to get there, and much more!

• Hours and info
• Essential tips for visiting
• How much time to spend
• Guided tours of Versailles
• What to see
• How to get to Versailles
• Places to eat nearby

Not ready to book a tour? See if a Versailles tour is worth it .

1. Versailles Palace: Hours and Info

November 1st – March 31st

• Palace of Versailles: Tuesday to Sunday from 9 am to 5:30 pm
• Gardens of Versailles: Daily from 8 am to 6 pm
• The Estate of Trianon: Tuesday to Sunday from 12 noon to 6:30 pm

April 1st – October 31st:

• Palace of Versailles: Tuesday to Sunday from 9 am to 6:30 pm
• Gardens of Versailles: Daily from 8 am to 8:30 pm
• The Estate of Trianon : Tuesday to Sunday from 12 noon to 6:30 pm

Versailles Ticket Prices:

There are actually a lot of ticket options to see Versailles on foot or even by bike or rowboat. Here are the most common ticket options and their prices:

• Versailles Palace Ticket: €19.50 (includes audio guide)
• Garden of Versailles Ticket: FREE on days without a fountain or music show
• Garden Ticket with Fountains and Music: €10.50 – €10
• Passport Ticket: €21.50 to €28.50 (Includes all of the above plus the estate of Trianon. Price varies from high to low season)
• Petit Trianon: only open for guided tours

Free or Reduced Palace of Versailles Tickets

The first Sunday of the month during November through March is actually free to the public. Anyone can explore the entire estate without a ticket. Otherwise, any non-European residents under 18 have free entry, as does any EU resident under 26. Any disabled people and one escort can also access the palace and grounds without purchasing a ticket. Finally, anyone who has a Paris Museum Pass can also enter Versailles for free.

Versailles Palace Tickets

If you decide to go it alone, an €19.50 ticket includes an audio guide and gets you access to the palace. Access to the gardens is free, except on select days when there are special events taking place in the gardens (between April and October). The fountain show runs almost every day when the weather is nice.

Versailles Garden & Musical Fountains

On certain days of the week, the gardens are not free to access as the palace has fountain and musical shows that require ticketed access. The musical fountain show ticket (when the garden’s multiple fountains are synchronized to music) costs €10.50, and a musical garden ticket (when music is played throughout the gardens) costs €10.

You can check the website for detailed information about the times and days of these events that change throughout the year. Otherwise, simplify your visit by booking a guided tour so you can access everything without a hassle.

Borgo & Trianon

The Grand and Petit Trianon are two smaller palaces (much smaller than the Château de Versailles) which were built as a sort of retreat for King Louis XVI and Queen Marie-Antoinette. Many people choose to forgo these two palaces in order to spend more time in the gardens, but they are worth visiting if you have the time. And there are fewer crowds!

Not ready to book a tour? Find out if a Versailles tour is worth it .

2. Essential Tips for Visiting Versailles

Plan Ahead and Avoid the Crowds

The Palace of Versailles gets most of its visitors on weekends and on Tuesdays. Especially during summer, you’re going to have to get a little strategic and purchase your Versailles tickets or tour in advance.

If you have not planned anything ahead, it helps to arrive as early as possible to tour the palace. We suggest arriving right at opening time—if not a little before. If you did not pre-purchase Versailles admissions or a tour, avoid touring the palace in the late morning and afternoon, when crowds are at their peak.

If you decide to visit Versailles in the afternoon, we suggest touring the gardens first. Then, circle back around in the later afternoon or evening for the palace.

Reserve Versailles Tickets in Advance

If you’ve reserved your Versailles ticket online and have your copy handy, then go directly to entrance A of the palace with your ticket. If you didn’t purchase a ticket in advance, then you can try to go inside and buy your ticket at one of the automated ticket machines that many visitors don’t know exist.

Picnic or Restaurant Lunch in the Garden

We highly recommend packing a picnic lunch. The food options at Versailles aren’t the best. Picnicking is allowed the gardens, so bring a sandwich from a bakery or hit up a market on the way to your train to Versailles.

You can check out Marche du Notre Dame which is a market near the palace where you can buy your picnic lunch—and a little wine if you like!

Don’t Walk, Bike!

Bikes are available to rent in the Versailles gardens. Electric vehicles (golf carts) are also available to rent for those with limited mobility.

3. How Much Time You Should Spend at Versailles

Short Answer:  6 hours, including transportation time from Paris

Your train ride will take about 1.5 hours round trip, including your walk to the palace from the train station in Versailles. You’ll also want to grab a bite to eat while you’re there, which can take some time. That leaves you with about 3 hours to walk around the palace and gardens.  

If you’re not the picnicking type, don’t worry. There’s a luxury Waldorf Astoria built into the Trianon of Versailles with an epic restaurant named La Veranda (find more about this in at the end of this article).

Sean’s Tip: Personally, I budget 2 to 4 hours for the gardens alone if the weather is nice. If you are going with the kids, bring a stroller and plan to get a meal on the grounds. Try not to rush through the experience, and it will become a positive and long-lasting memory for you and your travel companions. 

4. The Benefits of Guided Tours of Versailles

Like any museum, there is only so much you can do on your own. Tour guides spend years of their lives learning about and understanding historically rich monuments like Versailles in hopes of creating more memorable tour experiences for visitors.

We recommend a tour of Versailles when possible and believe our tours are the best in Paris. Our customer reviews back up that claim!

Our Best Versailles and Paris Louvre Tours

Top-Rated Tour

Secrets of the Louvre Museum Tour with Mona Lisa

The Louvre is the largest art museum on Earth and the crowning jewel of Paris, which is why it’s on everyone’s bucket list. Don’t miss out on an incredible opportunity! Join a passionate guide for a tour of the most famous artwork at the Louvre. Skip-the-line admissions included.

Likely to Sell Out

Skip-the-Line Palace of Versailles and Gardens Tour from Paris

Versailles isn’t that difficult to get to by train, but why stress over the logistics? Meet a local guide in central Paris who will purchase your train tickets and ensure you get off at the right stop. Then enjoy a guided tour of the palace and the unforgettable gardens. Skip-the-line admissions included to the palace and gardens.

Not ready to book a tour? Check out our best Versailles tours to take and why .

5. What You Should See at Versailles Palace and Gardens

Avid enthusiasts of beauty could spend an entire day exploring all that Versailles has to offer from the palatial rooms to the Trianon estate. Here are the top places you should definitely see while you’re visiting Versailles:

• Royal Courtyard
• State Apartments
• Hall of Mirrors
• Royal Chape
• Letona Basin & Fountains
• Apollo Basin

Marie Antoinette’s Domain

• French Pavillion
• Hamlet 
• Temple of Love
• Petite Trianon

Grand Canal

Estate of trianon, 6. how to get to versailles from paris.

The Château de Versailles is not actually in Paris but in the city of Versailles, France. There are three ways for you to get to Versailles from Paris.

You will need to take the RER C to get to the Versailles Château Rive Gauche train station. Depending on where you are coming from, the train could stop at one of three stations in Versailles.

If you get off on the wrong one it is not a tragedy, but it may require some additional work and maybe a taxi. From the Versailles Château Rive Gauche station, you’re just a 10-minute walk to the palace. Thankfully, there are plenty of signs that clearly indicate which way to go, so don’t worry.

Here are some of the most popular train stations in Paris that can take you to Versailles.

• Saint Michel-Notre Dame
• Gar e d’Austerlitz
• Musée d’Orsay
• Pont de l’Alma
• Champ de Mars-Eiffel Tower

You’ll need to buy a special metro ticket to get to and from Versailles. A round trip ticket will cost you €7.10. If you’re worried about buying the incorrect ticket, purchase the tickets from a metro service agent instead of the machine.

Using a metro ticket machine, make sure you indicate that your destination is the Versailles Rive Gauche station (there are three destinations in Versailles, so it’s more convenient to choose the right one). Depending on your departure location, the train will take you anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes, so plan accordingly.

Use Google Maps to check train departure times as they frequently depart every hour. Your ticket for an RER-C train will also cover any underground Metro. Be sure to buy a return ticket to cover the return trip to Paris. You can take any train headed to Versailles or Versailles Rive Gauche/Chateau. Trains depart every 15 minutes.

Pro Tip: Purchase both your tickets (to and from Versailles) while you’re in Paris. If you buy your return ticket to Paris at the Versailles station, there will likely be dozens of other people doing the same thing and the lines can get long.

The best way to get to Versailles is with a tour. You’ll get insights from an experienced guide without the guesswork of which train to catch or which ticket to buy.

The Versailles Express bus departs near the Eiffel Tower. Purchasing a ticket on their site will get you a round-trip bus ticket to Versailles and entrance into the palace (€42) or just a round-trip bus ticket (€24). But note that all their tickets are for half-day transfers, so going this route means you’ll have limited time at the palace.

A second bus option: Bus 171 will take you to the palace from the Pont de Sèvres area, accessible by metro line 9 for the cost of a normal metro ticket (€1.90, or €2 if you purchase onboard the bus).

While you certainly can take the bus from Paris, we recommend taking the train since it’s a smoother and faster transit. It’s what we use on our guided day trips to Paris from Versailles.

With a Tour Guide:

Take all the guesswork out and arrange to visit the Palace of Versailles with a tour guide . We take the train to get there, and you won’t have to worry about which Versailles stop to watch for or how long the entry lines are to get into the palace.

7. Best Places to Eat Near the Palace of Versailles

There are some food stands inside the gardens, but if you want to eat near the Palace of Versailles, there are a few options. If you’re in desperate need, there is a nearby Mcdonald’s, but since you’re in France, opt for something local. Here are some restaurant recommendations near the Palace of Versailles :

Outside the palace:

• Le Pinceman – This cool place is about an 18-minute walk from the Palace, so you will get a bit of a local feel. A 3-course menu will cost €40, not including drinks, and it’s an excellent choice. You will have to make reservations ahead of time though!
• Angelina Paris (€€€) – This restaurant is inside the palace and famous for its various dishes as well as its Hot Chocolate. The decor is classic and a great place to unwind after a day of touring
• Marche du Notre Dame – is a great little market to buy some fresh produce and bubbly to have a Versailles picnic. You won’t be able to bring food inside the palace, so you can either do the gardens first or exit the palace to get food prior to heading to the gardens.  They are separate entrances with separate admissions so you won’t lose anything but exiting the palace, getting food, and re-entering the garden. Its 15 minutes away by foot

Inside the palace:

There are at least six places to eat on the palace grounds: Two inside the palace grounds and four in the palace gardens, which is handy as you explore the extensive grounds.

• Ore – Ducasse au château de Versailles – If it is a cool, rainy day and you want a very nice meal, this is the place. Reviews are not what you’d expect but this a premier Ducasse restaurant so take them with a grain of salt. The food is worth any slip in service you might experience.
• Angelina Paris – Small snack and pastry bar to get some quick bites on the fly. 
• Brasserie De La Girandole – A great place to grab a salad or burger in the gardens.
• La Flottille – Super cool inside/outside dining right up against the lake where you can rent a boat. If I am not eating at La Veranda, which I probably am, I would eat here. 
• Le Petite Venise – Coffee, crepes and ice cream—just what you’d expect when you see this little food shop.
• La Veranda – If your budget allows, head to La Veranda, located in the Waldorf Astoria in the Versailles gardens. The food is going to be expensive and delicious, and the view is amazing. Make a surprise reservation here and surprise your travel companion with the best view (and possibly meal) at Versailles.

Additional contributions added courtesy of Angel Castellanos.

Where To Stay in Paris

With a city as magnificent as Paris, it can be hard to find the perfect hotel at the perfect price. Explore the best hotels and places to stay in these incredible neighborhoods in Paris.

About Sean Finelli

Sean is a co-founder and owner of The Tour Guy and its subsidiary The Roman Guy. He studied finance and statistics, but that is his "Dr. Jekyll" side! His "Mr. Hyde" is in love with travel, art, history, and culture. Sean has read libraries of historical text and believes that all internet content should come from books. A practice he follows!

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Versailles Bike Tour

Versailles Bike Tour : Skip The Line

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• Description •
• Tour Highlights •

Versailles, far more than just a Palace!

Our Versailles Bike Tour with reserved entry into the Palace is the perfect way to discover the grandeur of the 2,000 acre Royal Domain of Versailles!

You'll start your tour by exploring the local farmers market and picking up some supplies for your picnic lunch along the lake. Then spend the day discovering the royal grounds, the inside of Marie Antoinette’s private domain, the Grand & Petit Trianon chateaux, culminating in your reserved entry into the beautiful Palace of Versailles with its famous Hall of Mirrors.

Cycle with us and learn about the Sun King’s life and legacies, the scandals of Louis 15th and his 50 mistresses, and Queen Marie-Antoinette during the French Revolution. Your guide will share the French Royalty’s history with you in a fun and interactive way and you’ll go home loving Versailles.

FYI : Blue Fox Travel does not make you carry your Blue Bike™ onto the train, the bikes for this tour are stored just across the street from the Palace, in Versailles.

A perfect day in Versailles.

On our Versailles Bike Tour we’ve planned out everything to be fun, easy, and well organized. We’ve focused on all the little details and created an incomparably awesome, stress free, day of exploration in Versailles.

Start the day by meeting up with your guide in central Paris at the train station named Gare Saint-Lazare (exact details in booking confirmation). We’ll provide the train tickets for you and together you’ll take the train to the town of Versailles. The train ride takes about 35 minutes and then you’ll arrive right next to the Farmers Market. Please note than your Blue Bike™ is waiting for you in our Versailles bike hub, you do not have to carry your bike into the train.

Versailles Farmers Market and picnic by the lake.

Your first stop in Versailles will be the wonderful Farmers Market. There you’ll be free to roam the brimming food stalls and pick up your own lunch supplies for the picnic that’s planned for later in the day. Once you have finished shopping you’ll be fitted to a Blue Bike™ and given some bike panniers (baskets) so you can carry all of your picnic supplies.

Your guide will then lead you into the 2,000 acre Royal Domain of Versailles and show you all of the most picturesque and historically interesting parts of it. You’ll cycle at a medium speed and cover about 11K or 7 miles on mostly flat ground. During this time you’ll stop every 15 minutes or so to hear fun bits of history and learn about the life and legend of our famous Sun King, Louis the 14th, and our infamous Queen, Marie-Antoinette. You’ll also stop for a picnic lunch by the beautiful lake with a view over the Palace.

Louis the XIVth and Marie-Antoinette

Following the picnic you’ll get to experience some of the unique hideaways which the royalty enjoyed when you visit their private homes known as the Petit and Grand Trianons. You’ll learn about and enjoy free time inside of King Louis’ Grand Trianon, his marble summer home with exquisite French Gardens. Then you’ll cycle next door to learn about and explore inside of the very private Petit Trianon, which was built exclusively for the king’s favorite mistress Madame de Pompadour.

Afterwards you’ll have the free time to walk along the little dirt paths from the Petit Trianon to Marie-Antoinette’s Private Domaine. You’ll wander through the adorable English style garden and admire the small farmers village which Marie Antoinette had built for herself. It is unlike any other part of Versailles and gives us a deep and wonderful glimpse into the folly and longing of Marie-Antoinette’s heart. The time spent in the Private Domain of Marie-Antoinette, is completely on foot, as bikes are not allowed, and usually lasts 45 minutes.

Palace and Hall of Mirrors

By this time you will have learned about and experienced so much of the history of Versailles that the only thing left to do is explore inside the main Palace of Versailles itself, so that’s what you’ll do. You’ll say goodbye to your Blue Bike™ and your guide will escort you right to the entrance of the Palace itself where you will say goodbye to them. Inside of the Palace you'll be free to explore at your own pace and focus on the rooms that interest you the most for as little or as long as you like.

Good to Know:

• From April to October the French garden which is attached to the Palace closes at 8:30PM, so you will have plenty of time to visit it after your time inside the Palace.

Tickets to the Musical Fountain Show are included in our tour price only for participants who select the “Adults" fare. For Kids and Paris Museum Passes : tickets can be purchased directly on site if desired. Please note that these tickets are not necessary to have during our tour, you can visit the Fountain Show on your own after our tour is over.

• We’ll provide all of the train tickets to and from Versailles back to Paris. The trains back to Paris leave every 15 minutes and the last train leaves around 11:00pm.
• Most people prefer to spend about 1 to 1.5 hours inside of the Palace. If you’re like them then you can plan on being back in Paris sometime around 6-6:30pm so don’t make any dinner reservations before 7pm!
• Gratuities aka "tips" are not included but welcomed by our guides.

Max. 14 pers. per tour

9 hours approximatly Total cycling: 1.5hrs (easy)

What's Included

• Train tickets
• Palace tickets
• Trianon tickets
• Marie-Antoinette’s estate tickets
• Fountain Show tickets (for all Adult Fare purchases on days when it is running)

All of our tours are commented in English

Dates & Times

All Year Round Everyday at 8:30AM (closed on Monday)

Meeting point

Outside of Starbucks located at "2 Rue de la Pépinière" in Paris.

Click here for picture Reservation required

Want to meet directly in Versailles? Let us know

For the Versailles Bike Tour , you'll meet with your guide in central Paris, outside of Starbucks Coffee located at " 2 Rue de la Pépinière "

This Starbucks Coffee is located outside of a large train station named Gare Saint-Lazare.

Tour Highlights

Once the royal Palace of France's most famous Kings, the Chateau of Versailles is simply outstanding. We pre-reserve the entrance for you so there is no need to stand in the long ticket line!

Local Outdoor Market

Opened in the time of Louis XIV, the Versailles Market is where you'll discover the local specialties, and choose the best ingredients for your picnic lunch.

Marie-Antoinette’s Domain

This was the hide-away of Marie-Antoinette! Seeking a complete break from royal life this private village and farm was built so that she could pretend to be a commoner.

The Royal Grounds

With more than 2,000 acres of beautiful landscapes, fields of crops, an immense lake, and perfectly trimmed trees the Royal Grounds will amaze you.

Grand Trianon

Built by Louis XIV as a summer house. This is where kings would go to escape from the etiquette of the court. Access to the Grand Trianon is included in the tour price!

Picnic at the Grand Canal

Enjoy your lunch while sitting in the soft grass gazing over the largest lake in Versailles. You’ll love the view over the lake and Palace from this secluded part of the grounds.

Petit Trianon

Built by Louis XV for his favorite mistress Madame de Pompadour, this little chateau was later given to Marie-Antoinette. Access to the Petit Trianon is included in the tour price.

Royal Forest

Ride through some of the forests where the Royalty of old used to spend their afternoons hiding from court protocol and hunting stag, pheasant, wild boar, and fox.

French Gardens

This beautiful configuration of flowers and shrubbery is attached to the Palace itself and requires an entrance ticket on Musical Fountain Show days. Please see our FAQ for more info.

Hall of Mirrors

Paris largest and most celebrated Church, built in a true Gothic fashion it has the most beautiful Rose windows and flying buttresses.

Once the Royal Palace, now the largest and most visited museum in the world. The Louvre is home to the mysterious Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and the famous glass Pyramid.

The Musée d’Orsay

Home to some of the most beautiful paintings in the world, the Musée d’Orsay has several works of Monet, Renoir and Van Gogh.

Rue Cler market

Parisians have been coming to rue Cler market street since 1826! Taste some of the best of Paris here when you stop for the 30 minute break.

Seine River banks

The banks of the Seine River, in Paris, are so enchanting that they have become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You'll ride along them and behold the beauty of the river life.

Place de la Concorde

Place de la Concorde is the place where Marie-Antoinette lost her head! Today is has a 2,000 year old Egyptian Obelisk at its center.

The Grand Palais

Constructed for the 1900 World’s Fair, the Grand Palais is a magnificent architectural feat with its glass, iron and steel beautifully combined.

Champs-Elysées

Known to many as « The most beautiful avenue in the world » you'll have a wonderful view all the way up this avenue to the famous Arc de Triomphe.

Invalides (Napoleon’s Tomb)

Les Invalides was once a hospital for wounded soldiers, and is currently a military museum that is home to the tomb of Napoléon Bonaparte.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lots of things can happen that make a person need to change their plans. So you’re welcome to cancel this tour up to 24 hours before it starts and we’ll give you a full refund.

If you plan out your travel time poorly, arrive late, and miss your tour we will feel sad that you missed your tour but we will not issue you a refund.

Yes, we’ve got 2 different smaller sized bikes for kids and adults who are too short to use our Blue Bikes™.

We have baby seats for kids that are between the ages of 1 and 3 years old (max weight 22 kg (48 lbs)).

We also have some cool Burley tandem attachment bikes that are suitable for little kids who are too big for the baby seat but too small to cycle on their own (max weight 38 kg (85 lbs) - max height 137 cm (4 ft 6 in)).

We do NOT have tandem bikes that are suitable for two adults. All adults who join our tour must know how to cycle on their own with confidence. Please do not book this tour if an adult in your party is unable to cycle. We do not have any way to include them in this tour.

Find out more about our bikes here .

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We appreciate and reward fidelity!

Planning on booking multiple tours with us? Contact us to receive a 10% discount . Discount only apply when booking 2, 3 or 4 tours on different dates.

Free Cancellation

We understand that unexpected events can change your travel plans; for this reason Blue Fox Travel offers a full refund, for any reason, if you cancel more than 24hrs before your reserved tour is scheduled to start.

Small Groups

Small Group = Better Experience

We keep our groups small to ensure a more personal and higher quality experience for you.

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These are the Terms & Conditions that apply to any tour run by BLUE FOX TRAVEL in France under the brands BLUE BIKE TOURS or BLUE FOX TRAVEL. In this document, BLUE BIKE TOURS might be abbreviated as BBT and BLUE FOX TRAVEL as BFT.

BLUE FOX TRAVEL is a registered SARL (Société à Responsabilité Limitée - Limited Liability Company) at the Paris Chamber of Commerce under the number : 534 151 576 BLUE FOX TRAVEL is a registered French Travel Operator under the licence : IM075160040 BLUE FOX TRAVEL is a registered Public Service Vehicle Operator under the Licence : 2016/11/0007784 Because BLUE FOX TRAVEL is a registered French company, and all of our tours take place in France, only the French Law will apply in the case of any conflict. Last updated : January 2019. Valid until : the end of the world.

I - Cancellation Policy

BFT offers a 100% refund if a reservation is cancelled more than 24 hours before the scheduled start of the tour. The notification must be made by email. No refunds are given for ANY reason once within the 24 hrs prior to the scheduled tour. All of our tours run Rain or Shine. We do not issue refunds if you choose to skip your tour because the weather doesn’t suit you. You can always wait until the last minute to book your tour to ensure the weather suits you that day. BFT reserves the right to cancel any of its tours last minute in case of an Act of God or crazy act from a large group of people. Flooding, hail, dangerous weather conditions, riots, etc. In such instances full refunds will be given to anyone who had their tour cancelled.

II - Satisfaction Guarantee Policy

If the tour you took with us didn’t live up to what we promised you on our website and failed to meet your expectations, we will be heartbroken. We will also give you a 100% refund so long as you do all of these things: You remember that we we are in no way responsible for the weather and that our guides actually have to give 110% of themselves to you on days when the weather is not as nice in order to help you enjoy the tour. You participate in the entire tour from: being on time at the meeting point until the “goodbyes” at the very end of the tour. You can’t leave a tour half-way and ask for your money back. At the end of the tour you tell your guide, in person, that you were not satisfied with the tour you took. You provide your tour guide with the reasons you were not satisfied with the tour itself.

III - Payment Policy

A valid credit card is required to secure your booking. All reservations must be prepaid online prior to the tour. We accept Visa, Mastercard. None of your personal credit card or billing information is stored by BFT.

IV - Privacy Policy

We are committed to protecting your privacy. Your personal informations will never be disclosed to any third parties.

V - Child Policy

All reservations made for children under the age of 18 years old must be made by an adult and we must be informed at the time of booking exactly how many children are in your party and their ages. This is vital information as it allows our guide to prepare the proper child sized equipments for the bike tours and the booster seats for all day trips/excursions that use one of our vans. All reservations made for a minor under the age of 18 years old must also include the reservation for an adult who will be 100% solely responsible for the safety and well being of the child while on the tour. Every child, under the age of 12 years old, partaking in a bicycle tour will be required to wear a helmet and a reflective vest as per French Law. The adult who accompanies the child agrees to the responsibility of choosing a properly sized helmet, adjusting the helmet, and keeping the helmet on the head of the child during the whole tour. Blue Fox Travel has helmets in multiple sizes for you to choose from at no cost. Don't forget: Children who will be riding in a baby/child seat, on a tandem attachment bike, or in a booster seat in one of our vans absolutely MUST have their seat reserved beforehand. We NEED to know exactly what your child will need before they show up. Please make it clear in the “Special Requirements” section of our booking form.

VI- Child Bike Policy

Children who will be riding on their own may be subject to a very short test run before the tour starts in which they will be expected to demonstrate: that they are well suited for their bike’s size and settings, that they know how to brake properly and that they are, in general, good cyclists who can be trusted to follow their tour guide in a safe manner. We own 20” and 24” kids bikes (size of the wheel). Adult bikes are 26”. If the guide, or manager, finds that the child is not, for any reason, a good enough cyclist then the guide, or manager, has the right to refuse to let the child follow the tour on a personal bike. This means they will either be asked to ride on one of our ‘tandem attachments’ which is attached to the back of a parents bike OR asked to ride in a child seat attached to the back of a parents bike. If the child refuses the change, then the guide or manager has the right to cancel the reservation, and not allow you and your child on the bike tour. Refunds will not be issued if your reservation is cancelled because of your child not being able to cycle and their refusal to ride attached to you. Baby seats are for kids that are between the ages of 1 and 3 years old (max weight 22 kg (48 lbs)). We also have some cool Burley™ tandem attachment bikes that are suitable for little kids who are too big for the baby seat but too small to cycle on their own (max weight 38 kg (85 lbs) - max height 137 cm (4 ft 6 in)).

VII - Damages to Blue Fox Travel Property

If you or anyone in your party damages a vehicle, a Blue Bike™, a vehicle, a child's bike, a helmet, a baby/child seat, a tandem attachment bike, any bike attachments, or a booster seat in such a way that it becomes badly disfigured, broken, or unusable, then BFT reserves the right to claim a fee of up to the cost of repair of the damaged bike/vehicle or object.

VIII - Miscellaneous