Château de Versailleo
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Recommended Reviews - Château de Versailleo
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Of everything we did in Paris, this was top five for sure. I booked tickets in advance and we took the RER C train right to the Versailles station. From there it is a 7 or 10 minute walk to the entrance. You do need to plan for several hours if not the majority of a day to explore the chateau and the gardens. Also, it is very, very crowded, so expect to be shuffled along in a current of people, especially in popular areas like the Hall of Mirrors. We had kids with us that were not impressed by the gilded treasures, so we spent probably more time in the gardens than the palace. Let me tell you - the expanse of these gardens is impressive. At one point it looked like they go on for eternity. Just take your time strolling through and exploring all of the different little alcoves. We did do a boat ride in the Grand Canal lake and enjoyed some snacks and drinks in one of the cafes tucked into one of the gardens. One thing we did not know, is that if you want to book a ride on the train, you will have to do that when you are still at the chateau and they do sell out. You can also rent a golf cart in the same way. Overall I greatly enjoyed all the splendor and grandeur of this magical place. Worth the time and the travel.
Easily, my favorite day activity away from the city. This was my 4th time doing the all day bike tour around the chateau that ends with a visit inside the museum. I love this place so much. And it's only 30 mins away by train from the city center. In my opinion, the best way to see the grounds is by bike. On foot would be crazy. Our bike tour took us all over the party. Every stop came with a history lesson. Our day ended with our guide dropping us off at the entrance. We were on our own to explore the museum and garden. Much like all my previous visits, the grounds were perfectly trimmed and mowed. Lots of people were walking around the property getting their exercise on. We also passed lots of bikers and young kids on a field trip. The garden was looking a little sad since there weren't too many colorful flowers. It was more green than anything. My favorite area is Marie Antoinette's grounds. I could easily spend a whole day just chillin. There were a few couples having a picnic. It was so nice to see all the vegetables growing in one area. We also appreciated the vendors selling fresh orange juice. It was such a treat. I can't wait to be back, hopefully during spring.
This massive and spectacular Palace and its equally massive Gardens is a must see if you're in Paris. It was the royal residence for long lived King Louis XIV and it took about 30,000 workers about 40 years to complete its construction. History is also in the air here as you're walking on the same grounds where the historic Treaty of Versailles was signed ending World War I. We visited on a slightly overcast and coolish April day and though it was crowded, it wasn't overbearing by any means and the weather was perfect for all the walking involved here. The most crowded location in the Palace was the huge and ornate Hall of Mirrors. Some people thought it was too crowded, but nothing feels crowded to me any more after once visiting the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel in the summer time. The Palace with its multiple colored and ornate rooms feels very similar to England's Windsor Castle, but then there is also the Palace Gardens and that is a big difference. After being in the Palace the wide open-ness of the Gardens is also refreshing. Just remember as you walk here or there that the only entrance and exit to the Gardens are at the same location, so be ready for a lot of walking and keep track of your time, and enjoy!
An incredibly gorgeous palace, rich with French history. We enjoyed walking through and learning about each room with the FREE English audio guide available in the Versailles app. Definitely make a reservation online in advance (at least 2 weeks) as same week reservations have less desirable entry time slots. The palace and Trianon (but not musical gardens) were included in the Paris Museum Pass! We unfortunately had an afternoon entry time and the palace was very crowded, your experience would be better going first thing in the morning before the crowds.
Took a trip to Versailles today from Paris, only 9 miles away/ ~15-20 min, to visit Château de Versailleo! Originally we planned to purchase tickets to the fountain night show that they offer almost every Saturday + Sunday from June-September 14th, but we figured to just hold off on buying the tickets. Instead, we walked around the outside area of the palace. Very beautiful structures... LOVE THE GOLD! Wish we had more time to explore the inside, but it was a last minute plan to visit Palace of Versailles & by the time we got here, it was too late. Overall, still had a very nice time here. We were still here until 8:15pm, 15 min before the fountain show started, however, we all felt too tired & exhausted from walking around to see all the historical sites Paris has to offer.
We arrived in Versailles on our second day in France. We got a taxi from our hotel in Paris to Versailles without issue. Knowing we'd spend at least a 1/2 day at the chateau, we booked the earliest timed entry possible, which was 10am. Remember to book your tickets in advance and online. This ticket also included the garden and a return train. The "return train" isn't really useful, but if you are lucky enough to splurge and rent a golf cart.... That might be fun. Anyhow, the palace itself is marvelous. So much history and grandeur. There were some things we saw from the Louvre, but we learned a lot. Even in the morning, there were so many tourists so be warned that it'll get crowded fast. Yes, pickpocketing could happen, but I never felt in fear while inside. We decided not to book a tour guide. Maybe it wasn't the best decision, but we found there was enough information in the official app (which is clutch!) to keep us educated. The main beauty, however, is once you exit the palace and enter the Gardens. We spent the absolute most time in here. This is also where the app came handy as it helped us navigate the gardens easily. So many cool fountains and, if you come at the right time, you may even catch a fountain show. It is quite the walk within the gardens. Sometimes, we wished we could even get some water at various points inside. But it's nothing to prevent us from coming back again if the opportunity presents itself. The Chateau is a nice respite from the bustle of Paris and it should be a must see for anyone visiting Paris.
This review's focus is the gardens, though the expansive Palace is also a feast for the eyes. If you have about 4 hours and you are in the area (Paris), pop on a comfy pair of tennis shoes (sneakers) and treat yourself to a stroll around this vast property. I loved ...the classical music (my favorite genre) playing from speakers throughout the property ...Waiting to snag a spot at the ledge for the perfect selfie, ...the symmetrically- manicured gardens ...the peddle-boats ...watching golf carts whiz by ...and all the quiet paths lined with the tallest tree where you can get lost and found. Bring/wear a comfy pair of shoes. Rent a golf cart or include the grounds tram in your schedule. Purchase your ticket online for the best rate. Bring a snack and a beverage (onsite restaurant has WiFi if you'd rather purchase refreshments on-site). Take your time and enjoy the views.
Cool place to learn about the history of the kings in France. We did get to see the whole thing because they had a b@mb threat so everyone was evacuated. If I make it back to France it will definitely be on the list of places to go. You need to put this on your bucket list and recommend getting a tour guide.
This is definitely one of those tourist attractions you only need to visit once. We had the Museum Pass and pre-booked a 2:30 pm timeslot for a Tuesday. We arrived early at around 1:50. Luckily, we didn't have to wait around because they let us enter early. The actual chateau is beautiful and there are plenty of photo ops outside. But once you get inside, it's a bunch of tour groups. It's also not like a regular museum. Because the hallways are narrow, the traffic flow pretty much just goes in one direction, so most of the time, tour groups are blocking the pathway. This was pretty much the entire chateau, so we tried to just go through it quickly and get out of there. The Hall of Mirrors was kind of unimpressive but again, probably due to all of the tourists. It's nothing like what you see in Instagram. We probably spent a little under two hours inside and taking pics outside. We skipped the garden. Overall, the chateau is crowded and far from the city centre (an hour minimum ride, depending on where in the city you are coming from). So if your time is limited in Paris, I would say you can skip this because you can expect to spend at least half a day here. Otherwise, try to book early so that you can get the first time slot and maybe you can avoid at least some of the groups (we booked maybe 2 weeks prior and all the early time slots were already taken).
We were on an excursion from a river cruise, so I had no control over what time of day we visited Versailles. We were there in the afternoon, and lines were definitely long. We went straight to the gardens, and got to walk through a small portion of them before entering the building. Keep in mind that the garden paths are primarily gravel and can be tricky to navigate for some. The chateau of course is beautiful, but it can be tricky to see everything when you've got a lot of people surrounding you. To me the best part was the series of rooms dedicated to the various gods,Diana, Venus, Mars, etc. There are beautiful paintings everywhere, including the ceiling! When we were done, we had some time to kill before our bus left, so we walked about two blocks into town, where there is a small ice cream shop, right next to a souvenir shop. It was a great pick me up to have some ice cream, and to look at the variety of souvenirs. Later in the week, my son returned to visit with a friend, and they spent the majority of their time in the gardens. They took their time and went way into the gardens and said that there were a lot of amazing things to see, and I was disappointed that we had missed them on our visit. However, they did point out that there are very little opportunities to get anything to drink in the gardens, so be sure to bring your own bottled water or you'll get very thirsty!
Bring comfortable walking shoes! As well as an umbrella If it's not the rain, it's the Sun! You will need the entire day to look around. Even then, there still won't be enough time. Ride bikes or pay for the go cart tour. The line is ridiculously long so I'd advise a tour group to skip the line. Parking sucks. Incredibly beautiful grounds.
A train ride away from Paris. Home of many Louis. Mind-blowing wealth collected by this royalty regime. The ability to view these time worn antique galleries up close is amazing; very upsetting to see so many visitors have the nerve to touch the artwork and antiques with their grimy paws. Whatever wing you start from, it will be a lazy river pace sliding your feet every couple feet with the flow of overflowing tourists. Air-conditioning was not invented yet during these past centuries so body odor is unavoidable in the sardined packed stroll through the chateau. Save your energy for the garden; weather was perfect on this day and hours can be spent simply outside through this horticulture heaven. A full sun-filled day to tour the Chateau de Versailles highly recommended.
Ostentatious, opulent, and over-the-top, this monumental palace glorified the French royalty's ascendance. They flexed their wealth, privilege, and power through this palace of propaganda. Well worth arrange a tour guide to get the full experience of the Palace's political and social context. The Hall of Mirrors is, of course, stunning, but so are the grounds and gardens, particularly the anal-retentive precision of the Orangerie. And the fountains! Even though the off-season and water wasn't running, the fountains are still a marvel of artistry, sculpture, and symbolism. Definitely try to get a timed entry early in the day and plump for the "skip the line" fee. The Palace itself was still pretty crowded even in late October- God knows what the crowds are like at the height of summer! But once you get out onto the grounds you can take a nice leisurely stroll through these beautiful parks and gardens.
9 years ago
2.5 hours waiting in line in the rain, and 45 minutes tour, then extra 8 Euro for the garden.... My parents loved it, especially mommy, she loves the golden gate. Anything with gold or diamond, she loves it. So if we have to wait another hour by that golden gate, she would be OK too! At least it was less Chinese tourists busses here, on the day we went! Dad loves the garden, the water fountain, the details, the architecture and everything, he has been coming here forever, when grandma was healthier. Grandma lives in Paris. read more
simply no system on the lines. very frustrated of the very long que for ticket holders. people sneaking in because there's no cordon (it's not like that would help). other than that it's a decent historical structure that's now a tourist trap read more
Beautiful piece of history, suggest renting golf cart to visit gardens, they are huge maze like, you'll be able to see all of it. Plan on full day if you really want to enjoy and see all this magical Palace has to offer. Nearby plenty of crape restaurants to enjoy authentic Classic food. read more
I see guilty people, angels blowing horns! The little lady and I went here on day 01 of our 5-days in Paris.... On the recommended, "must go to lists"... It's a brief 20-minute train ride from Paris, and a nice walk there... After you pay the man and walk thru, they do a really AWESOME 5-minute video on the history of the place... All of the different renovations are superimposed and there is also a large model (glassed in) to look at in the room where you are watching the video. Then you are free to navigate the palatial palace as you see fit. I would recommend getting here early, before 10 am, and wearing comfortable shoes. They had angels blowing horns in the ceiling, that was the best part. read more
12 years ago
Such an amazing experience here! They shut down the palace for our private event. We were escorted through the palace into different rooms and eventually lead out into the gardens for appetizers and drinks. The fountains were going which apparently is a rarity outside of maintenance once a month. The grounds are absolutely beautiful. For dinner we were then lead into an area with massive high ceilings and beautiful fountains and sculptures. We were served a 3 course meal with wine and champagne pairings. The food was ok. Ive had better at other formal events but I wont complain because it was good. The servers were very friendly and helpful. They had informed the chef of my food allergy so my meal was catered to what I could eat. Overall the atmosphere was amazing. Especially when you consider the history behind the palace. The service was great and the food was ok. I would definitely love to come back and take a longer tour here. read more
Versailles really brings in to focus that the lifestyle of the rich and famous is an understatement. The waiting lines are long and uphill, but it is worth the price of admission. As a history enthusiast I could not wait to get inside and see what books can't provide. Each room has a story of it's own. The garden is another site to enjoy, but it is really too much to try and see in one day. read more
7 years ago
This area was so scenic. You can practically take good pictures anywhere you go. There is lots of history that you can take in but I'd highly recommend getting a tour guide that is knowledgeable about the area. read more
Whats to be said that already has not been? So instead, some helpful hints for your trip, some obvious, some not. - Wear great standing support shoes. There is really no sitting thru the main place tour, and outside is your only reprive- and it'll be an hour or two till you get there -not many quick refreshments available- bring granola bars or something to curb hunger to the next meal or you'll be paying 4 euro a macron or wasting precious time at the mediocre restaurant options "on campus" - If you want to see the main Palace, garden, and the two other palaces (yep I didn't even know they existed till the day of)- be in line buying your ticket mid morning. We came at 3pm and there was nowhere close to enough time to do the extra 20+ min walk away palaces (although we sure as hell tried) -bathrooms in the garden- UNISEX. Be prepared to see some full frontal urinal action- I think the USA teen who entered with me was horrified - even though the extra palaces close at 6:30, forget getting in there even if you arrive by 5:45. They are already clearing people out. I think this was the most defeated I felt the whole trip. 12 miles in, feet DYING and jogging the 20+ min walk from the main palace only to find I couldn't get in almost broke me. Also, blisters. - If you came from Paris on the train like us, take a break in the evening and enjoy the line of restaurants just a stone throw from both the station and the palace. It will give you life again and wayyy better than on site options read more
13 years ago
After watching the movie "Marie Antoinette", I knew that I wanted to visit the place she and Louis called home during their tumultuous reign in France. In spit of the long lines, tons of tour groups and people, this place is beautiful and unique. I tried to imagine what it would be like to live there. Wow is an understatement. The grounds are just as beautiful, more so in the spring and summer. My favorite room was Marie Antoinette's bed chambers. It is flowery, grand, and lovely. It's about a 45 minute drive from Paris, but well worth the wait. Oh and don't forget to visit the Ladurée shop INSIDE. They're a bit snooty, but hey, at least you don't have to go into the city to enjoy your fancy macarons! read more
I can't even perfectly sum up how stunning the Château de Versailles and it's gardens are. All I can say is just go and see it for yourself and you will not be sorry. Get your tickets in advance or you will be waiting forever in line to get in and make sure you get access to the gardens. We actually paid a little extra for a tour which let us skip the line and see a few extra rooms that other people don't have access too. With that, and getting to hear more history from our tour guide it was more than worth it. If you want to do it right, get there early and plan on spending the entire day on the property. It's HUGE, so have some good walking shoes on. There's so much to see outside of the chateau that it's crazy. This is without a doubt the most beautiful place I've ever seen. read more
Versailles was one of the main reasons I booked my Paris trip. It's good to have a bit of knowledge of French History to just add to the splendor of the visit, but if you don't know a lot about the history, I think you can still appreciate the scale and grandeur of this chateau. The RER stop is just a short walk away from the entrance. And like others have said, it's good to purchase your tickets beforehand so you only have to stand in one line instead of two because there's the ticket line and the entrance line. A visit to Versailles is covered in the Paris Pass, but skip the line perks are not guaranteed during peak visit times so unfortunately, we had to stand in line for an hour to get through security/entrance. I got a tour map along with the audio guide and my son got a special illustrated kids map with a scavenger hunt list. I really liked the audio guide (free) as you could just press the room number to hear more about the room you were in. And you can repeat the information as well--which ended up being very helpful as my son decided mid tour that he wanted to hear what I was hearing. There might also be closures of different areas for renovation and those are not always made know to the public right away. So unfortunately Marie Antoinette's rooms were not available for viewing After going through the chateau, we stopped at Laduree for some macarons and enjoyed our snacks outside. After a bit of rest, we walked some of the gardens. Between the chateau and the acreage of the estate, Versailles is a beautiful wonder. And if you're a dreamer like me, you can certainly picture the former residents and visitors ambling through the area and just get lost in the thought that is history, preserved well and open for all to enjoy. read more
When I visited Paris, this was one of the first places that I got to see. The architecture is absolutely stunning. The gold accents are to die for and Les Jardins de Versailles (Versailles Gardens) are beautiful to look at. I gave it 4 stars because I thought that although everything was gorgeous, it was difficult to get around to experience the entire place. I ended up taking a golf cart (35€) around the gardens, which was perfect because I got to go at my own pace with a map, and the cart has a speaker that's location-sensitive to tell you about the history as you drive around. As a side note, there's a lot of cobblestone while walking! Wouldn't recommend wearing shoes that would have trouble on uneven pavement. read more
7 years ago
4 years ago
7 years ago
Honestly lll oks like not much from outside and since the weather was full it was crazy looking on the outside. But once I walked in and saw the inside the whole prospective of life has changed for me! I love it here I didnt want to l loved it but the security people are kinda of asshole! And btw selfie sticks aren't a lot inside. You have to come here and visit! Get it guided if you don't know the history it is so worth it. read more
The Palace of Versailles is one of the most beautiful houses I have seen. Located about 40 minutes away from Paris via train. Easy to get to, it is just one train ride. I entered using the 2 Day Paris Museum Pass which costs 48 euro. It gives you entry into almost every famous museum/site in Paris. And you get to skip the main queue. Normal admission is 20 euro. There are additional tours you can add on also. Walking through the palace was like walking through an episode of Downton Abbey. Entering the grounds is a site to see. All that gold! There is much luxury and detail in each room. The Hall of Mirrors is pretty neat, but super crowded. Beautiful fountains throughout. My favorite part was looking out the window to the garden. So green! Definitely worth the trip! Go early if you do not want to deal with crowds. read more
8 years ago
Versailles was designed to impress ... and it still does today. Built as a site of wonder, wealth, and worship for Louis XIV, Château de Versailles was the grand exclusive home to the noble elite and ruling class of France. The palace and gardens have been restored to become an ornate gilded dream of French luxury ... like a lavish pristine aristocratic heaven on earth ... hosting 7.7 million tourists a year from around the world. We visited the Palace to take the standard self-guided tour plus an English behind the curtain tour of the Grands Appartements du Roi (The King's Apartments) and Chapel of Versailles. You don't need to add on the extra tour to be impressed, but I totally found it educational and a relief from the massive crowds in popular sections of the palace. You can't see all of Versailles in one day ... and that shouldn't be your goal ... so plan ahead, wear comfy shoes, and see the areas that most interest you. Visit: * Versailles is 10-15 miles southwest of Paris * Take the Paris RER "C" train * Exit: Versailles Château Rive Gauche * Walk 10-15 minutes to Versailles * Gardens are open every day * The Palace is closed Mondays * Versailles opens at 9:00 am * Trianon estates & Coach Gallery only open after 12:00 * Garden access is FREE * Buy tickets with timed entry online * Admission to Palace, Trianon, and exhibits: €20 * Children 17 & under are free * Add Musical Fountain Shows for €7 * 2-day passport is only €25 * Annual pass is only €50 (single) €80 (duo) * FREE 1st Sundays in winter (Nov-Mar) * Plan for a 30-60 minute line for security * Worst time to go: Tuesdays & weekends * Best time to arrive: as early as possible * Plan 2 hrs or more for the Palace * Best time to see the Palace: at 9:00 or after 3:00 pm * Plan 2-3 hrs for the gardens & fountains * Plan 2-4 hrs for Trianon Palaces (Marie Antoinette home) * Plan 1-2 hrs for the rotating art exhibit * Plan 1 hr (plus walk to) Coach Gallery past gate * Audio guides are available ... with a line * Easier: Get the free mobile app guide * Free WiFi spots: main courtyard & garden entrance * Guided Tours €10 extra & MUST BE RESERVED * English Tour: The Private Apartments of the Kings * French Tour: Louis XIV at Versailles * Cafe and dining options from €€ to €€€€ on site * Many guests enjoy picnics in the gardens * Gardens: ride the little train (€8 r/t or €4.30 1-way) * Golf carts for rent in gardens for €34/hour * Segways for rent: €35/hour AND reservation * Bicycles for rent: €8.50/hour * Photography (without flash) is allowed Facts: * Louis XIV was King from 1643-1715 (72 years) * Louis XIII, built a hunting lodge here 1623-1634 * Expansion of Versailles by Louis XIV began in 1661 * The "Le Vau Envelope" & Pavilions added 1668-1671 * South Wing added 1679-1681 * In 1682, Louis and government moved to Versailles * Grand Commun built 1681-1684 * North Wing added 1685-1689 * Royal Chapel (5th on site) built 1699-1710 * It took 50 years and 3000 people to build * It would take BILLIONS of € to build now * Square feet: 721,182 ... or 67,000 square meters * Over 700 rooms & 1,200 fireplaces * There are 60 staircases * More than 5,000 pieces of furniture * Displayed over 6,000 paintings * The Hall of Mirrors was originally lit by 3,000 candles * 30,000 acres of gardens with 1400 fountains * Over 400 sculptures in the gardens * Versailles was really a small royal city * The king had over 200 servants * When the XIV died (1715), power shifted back to Paris * Louis XV brought the government to Versailles in 1722 * It remained there when Louis XVI became king in 1774 * He married Marie Antoinette here in 1770 * In 1783, the UK signed the Peace of Paris here ... * ... which recognized the independence of the U.S. * Last Versailles monarchs: Louis XVI & Marie Antoinette * On July 14, 1789, the Bastille in Paris was overrun * Oct 5, 1789, a crowd from Paris besieged Versailles ... * ... Rioting over the high price and scarcity of bread ... * ... Called the Women's March on Versailles * The 1789 French Revolution was the end of Versailles * The monarchy was abolished on Sep 21, 1792 * Louis XVI was guillotined in Paris on Jan 21, 1793 * Marie Antoinette was guillotined there on Oct 16, 1793 * In 1792, all paintings & sculptures moved to the Louvre * All furniture & equipment were auctioned in 1793-1794 * It took over 17,000 lots and a year for all to be sold * All fleurs-de-lys and royal emblems were removed * From 1793, it became a museum or storage facility * Later, Napoleon Bonaparte resided on the grounds * Monarchs in the 1800s couldn't afford to restore it * Restoration efforts began in earnest in 1892 * Recent Grand Versailles project was 2003-2009 * Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 read more
6 years ago
I have seen Sofia Coppola's "Marie Antoinette" so I had some idea of what to expect but boy was I wrong. It is a zillion times more incredible than any photo (although I did my best here) or movie can capture. The sheer size of the grounds is overwhelming and manicured to perfection. When you arrive at the palace there is no mistaking where you are. You are entering the land of royalty to which only those privileged few can understand. The gilded gates and marble statues that greet you are truly a marvel. What seems strangely out of place is the modern Swarovski crystal chandelier. There is a story behind it but I can't recall, no matter it's beautiful. Of course, I can't write a review without talking about the famous "Hall of Mirrors" which most people know about Versailles. Of course the mirrors are no longer as clear as I imagine they once were since all mirror fades over time. It is just as beautiful in person as I have seen in pictures. Besides the impressive grounds and palace what I found most interesting (an totally gross) was something even a year later I remember. Our guide explained people at that time only bathed once or twice a year due to the threat of disease and death. So the palace was actually rather foul smelling with people wearing layers and layers of heavy fabric clothing. I am about to watch the 2018 1 season Netflix show "Versailles" but doubt it will be that great since there is only 1 season. HA HA read more
8 years ago
This place is a very famous and popular tourist attraction. It is outside the city of Paris and we have to take a train (RER) to reach it. We bought round-trip ticket so that helps to avoid standing in line to buy return ticket. There's a very long line of people waiting to get into the palace. It is mainly the security check line. This place is really huge and lots to see/do. We spent almost the whole day and yet did not get to see everything. The garden is amazingly big but beautiful. The Trianon is a super long walk from the palace. Either rent a golf cart or take that train there. Versailles is definitely a place to visit if you are in the Paris area. read more
7 years ago
6 years ago
Best palace to tour in France. So much history, art, architecture, and experience. This place gets very busy! I recommend getting VIP tickets in advance. Try not to purchase on site otherwise good luck! This place can compete with Rome, Italy. It was so amazing to include the garden. read more
9 years ago
4 years ago
Chateau de Versailles is located about 30 min train ride (RER) C train from Paris. Get your ticket from where you gonna buy your metro ticket instead of buying both separately. That will save you a few bucks. It's easier if you Just go to the ticket counter and tell the staff where you want to go. They are always helpful. The ticket machine sometimes have problems accepting credit cards. The walk to the Versailles compound is quite enjoyable. This time the garden is not ready for guests. A few wings are closed for renovations as well. But we still get to visit the royal chambers, bedrooms, living quarters etc. I was just awed at how wasted and spoiled these Parishioners were. The garden is huge!! If you like to walk, bring your walking shoes and plan to spend hours and hours there. Important to bring a map. You can easily get lost there. They also have ground transportation that will take you around. $8 per trip. read more
8 years ago
All I can say is...WOW!! Everyone says this place is a must see, but that doesn't do it justice. read more
6 years ago
Stunning French Chateau popular amongst tourists. We took a Lyft from Paris to the Château. We were lucky because there was no admission fee the day that we visited. Lots of beautiful and Instagram worthy sites inside the palace and well in the beautiful garden. The palace has also many elaborate fountains and big duck ponds. There are also restaurants and cafes in the gardens that are not to be missed. read more
10 years ago
4 years ago
a beautiful stop. went to versailles my first day in france. i had learned about it in history and art classes. was very cool to see the architecture but disappointing with the lack of furniture. it is a lot of walking but it is worth it. read more
9 years ago
Amazing!! Starts with a beautiful train ride out through the city of Paris, gliding through small towns. The walk from the train to the palace is only maybe 10 minutes through Versailles. We bought our tickets online in advance, which I HIGHLY recommend. It was the weekend during peak time so the line to get inside of the palace took roughly an hour plus. I recommend being smarter than we were and booking your trip for a less popular time. GET THE AUDIO GUIDE! Wisdom was passed along to us that the audio guide is included with your online ticket purchase and it made all the difference. We got at least 4x as much out of our experience by hearing brief histories and secret stories about the rooms, paintings and setting we were viewing. Then there's THE GARDEN! Numerous fountains and cream-colored statues dot an expanse of open courtyards and corridors. There are many gems to discover on your way to visit other historic sites on the palace grounds. Bring your walking shoes, plan for about 3-6 hours at the palace based on how deep you want to get with the historic site and plan for lots of pictures. We spent 5 hours total at the palace and it was worth every bit. Soak. It. Up. read more
7 years ago
Join a tour or hire a private tour/guide because it is the easiest way to see the inside of the Chateau. The tours have a skip the line privilege and a special side entrance which is manageable. Otherwise, it is nearly impossible to get inside (even off season.) I would have missed so much without the guide's insight. This is my third visit to Versailles. There are over 2000 rooms in the Chateau (the hunting lodge) and the grounds are enormous. I still feel like I haven't seen much! www.chateauversailles.fr read more
10 years ago
My recommendation: If you don't know much about French history, READ or WATCH documentaries that explain the importance of this Palace and how King Louis XIV's vision became the masterpiece people from all over the world come to visit. Why? As a tourist, you'll be able to see and understand the palace history with a whole different perspective and appreciate its history behind it. To walk into King Louis XIV headquarters and know and understand that you are walking inside the palace he envisioned will make your experience at Versailles an unforgettable one. This tour is at least 3 hours long, give or take an hour. The tour is accompanied by an audio guide head set that beautifully describes each room as you enter the palace. Each room you enter is just as magical as the next. The state apartments and the apartments of the Mesdames are beautiful, but the visits do not compare to the Kings Headquarters or Marie Antoinette's room. The Hall of Mirrors is absolutely breathtaking. I felt faint mid hall... My husband asked "Why are you so pale?" "Ummm... I'm a thousand miles away from home, standing in a room where Marie Antoinette once walked though, give me a minute, I'm taking it all in." The gardens were out of this world beautiful. The fountains were memorizing, and the music that accompanied the fountain shows made me feel like I had taken a time machine back in time. The walk from the Palace to Marie Antoinette's private estate (Petit Trianon) given to her by her husband Louis XVI was a 20-30 minute walk. You may rent bikes along the way or take a trans that drops you off right in front of the Petit Trianon. I personally recommend walking as you get to walk through the gardens and visit fountain shows along the way. (Wear comfortable shoes!) From the Petit Trianon you must walk to the Queens Hamlet where you can experience the charms of the country life she used to escape from the Court of Versailles; that she loved so much. If you're going to Paris, your trip will not be complete if you don't visit Versailles. We took a Taxi from our hotel to Versailles. Expensive, yes; but worth is as we avoided the crowds of people on the train to and from Versailles. Get there early as the palace opens at 9 am. The lines may be slightly longer if you arrive later in the day. Wear comfortable shoes, I cannot stress this enough. There is a lot of walking involved. There are a few restaurants within the Palace. Pricey but necessary since it's likely you will spend all day in Versailles. A nice big breakfast will hold you up for a while, snacks are encouraged! A quick shout out to my husband that has absolutely no interest in French history but allowed me to talk his ear off about everything related during the tour. 143. read more
7 years ago
A château definitely got for a king or queen and about 1000 other fancy people. This place is ginormous and decadent. We spent almost an entire day here and still didn't finish the tour. It's off season and super crowded. Get here early and buy your tickets ahead of time and you'll be able to get in faster. read more
14 years ago
Five stars for the golf cart rental kiosk! For €30 an hour, we drove around the gardens in a tricked out (ok, not really) golf cart with a pre-recorded narration (in English) describing exactly what we were seeing when we were seeing it! That thing must have a GPS or lo-jack attached to it! Several times, I'd go off the authorized path & the golf cart would automatically shut down. A voice would tell me to reverse & go back to the highlighted path! The whole thing was very amusing. So much fun! It takes about 30 minutes from Paris to get to Versailles via the RER C line. There is a station just blocks from the Chateau, if you hop on the right one (which we didn't.) I wouldn't consider this a day trip...more like a half day trip, but maybe that's because I have the attention span of an ant. The Chateau is humongous, but the parts you are allowed to tour is pretty limited (Hall of Mirrors--very cool!) A very worthy excursion outside of the city! read more
10 years ago
You MUST make it a point to come see what Louis XIV had envisioned and built upon to create one of the most iconic palaces in Europe. It is spectacularly ornate, over-the-top, and imposing--to say the least! And if you thought the palace was huge, the gardens are downright overwhelming! Think: biggest (and prettiest) fenced-in backyard in the world! Pictures just don't do it justice. And neither will this review. So go online, buy your tickets, and give at least half a day to experience this place! Oh, and wear comfy shoes... ;) read more
I only had two days in Paris and had to make a quick decision whether or not to go to Versailles. The decision has been made... I'm going to take my talent to Versailles.... So in order to see Versailles in just a few hours or a half a day, you really have to: a) Run b) Pick up a map first and not get lost looking for Marie Antoinette's house c) Ignore your spouse and just rent the darn bike already to get around the gardens d) Pay the money for that darn golf cart and perhaps split it with another couple e) Check the weather forecast before you go. If it rains, you're screwed. The chateau is massive. After awhile, if you go to a bunch of palaces, churches, etc., they all start to look the same. I went because I wanted to see the Murakami exhibit in the main palace. I do not regret missing a day in Paris to see the exhibit one bit. I knew I would never see these two things in one place together again. Honestly, if Murakami weren't there, I would definitely be bored. The gardens on the other hand are gorgeous. Unfortunately I was there on an extremely foggy day so I couldn't get great pictures of the canal and everything, but it's so beautiful. I could spend a day in the gardens alone. Marie Antoinette's house really gives a personal feel of what she was like. At the same time, I had nightmares because of her house. There is a creepy part of the kitchen with a dark walkway with speakers in there whispering something in French. It could be sensored when you walk through the dark corridor and I walked in and just heard voices from above. I almost pissed my pants. If someone would please tell me what the voices say, I won't be as freaked out. But after leaving there, my husband kept whispering to me, "Get out of my house!" Anyway, the Grand Trianon is just as amazing. I really enjoyed these smaller buildings over the main palace. Worth the visit. Go to the main palace right when they open, then the garden, and then the smaller houses open at noon. Gives you plenty of time to finish the palace before going over to the other areas. read more
More info about Château de Versailleo
Place d'Armes
78000 Versailles
France
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http://www.chateauversailles.fr
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