Perfection. The palace was absolutely breathtaking. Even the grounds were grand. Every room you walk into is just so amazing, that pictures really do not do the palace justice. The gardens were also wonderful. Not sure what they would look like in bloom, but there was still so much beauty to take in. I did not get to enjoy as much time as I would have liked here, so I did not get to do the headphone tour that gives you all of the history... next time! If you have the chance to go, I highly recommend it. From the architecture to paintings to stone, and so on, it was really a magnificent time. read more

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The Chateau was GRAND! My jaw was on the floor at the sheer size of the palace and then I understood why the peasants stormed the palace and cut off King Louis XVI's head. The detail and effort put into this place makes it such a marvel to experience, each part of the entire estate offering its own quaint and fairy tale sensation. You have to think though, in all those riches and pompous glory, did they not feel this place got a little... repetitive? read more

This chateau and gardens are beautiful, but the hoards of tourists and crammed spaces are not enjoyable. We booked an excursion from Paris through Viator that took us to Giverny in the morning and the Chateau in the afternoon. I would recommend going to the Chateau with some kind of tour group so you can skip the lines which my group was thankfully able to do. Inside the chateau it can get pretty crowded and stuffy so try not to go on a hot day too. My sister and I went at the end of July and it was so hot. We had a ticket to the gardens and we walked around a bit, but our time was limited and it was so hot we ended up wasting time waiting in another line for lukewarm bottled water. I'd recommend going, but try to go on one of those bike tours to see more of the gardens. read more

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Versailles is huge and excessive and so are the lines. Maybe it was because it was a holiday weekend but the place was packed! We waited 2 hours in line sand we already had tickets. Once we made it inside the place was massive and we listened to the audio guide. Once we finished the inside we encountered the gardens and another line. There is actually a hop on hop off tram that will take you to the other sights like the petit trianon, etc. however this is not marked well. There are small restaurants located throughout the grounds for when you are looking for a snack. I would recommend getting here before 0900 as this is when the tour busses show up. read more

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This is a marvel of engineering and worth every European penny. While we went on a weekday (non tourist season), we strongly advocate buying the skip the line tickets, as we heard about the legendary long lines. I think Chateau de Versailles should be visited with an engaging mind and definitely with an audio tour, as each room houses both historical and often culinary significance you would have never expected. Given that the castle closes at around 5pm, I recommend visiting the carriage museum first in the morning, check out the (free) large gardens in the the early afternoon, and ending the day with the castle tour. Chateau de Versailles deserves every minute of your afternoon and just remember that if you're taking the train back, you need to buy a special ticket back into the city. read more

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also an easy way to explore outside of Paris. I went on a Wednesday morning in late September and arrived by RER train. If you follow the signs or follow all the people, it shouldn't be too difficult to find! The line to get through security was fairly quick, and not pouring out onto the cobblestone like others have described so it may make a difference to go early. Our museum pass granted us access to the Palace and the grounds. I know other parts can be visited for an additional fee. For the self-guided walking tour you can either grab a transponder (which have AUX plugs for headphones), or download the app. I'd recommend either bringing your own headphones or downloading the app and bringing headphones, just so that you don't have to keep it up to your ear the whole time. Right in the beginning of the tour we were hit with crowds. Literally shoulder-to-shoulder as if it was already over capacity. I know that with tourist sites like these, it can happen. Inside it seemed like everything was a replica, which is understandable considering how many people are in a room at once (don't want to damage anything). This was kind of a let down as it became apparent that the only thing authentic might have been the structure itself. Eventually it got so crowded that I started focusing on how to get out. Hall of Mirrors - Pretty underwhelming, probably because it was just overrun with people. The room is ornate for sure, but I think its safe to say that the photos online look better than it does in person.... The grounds in the back are extensive. Luckily it wasn't too warm of a day and we spent an hour just walking from fountain to fountain. Golf carts are available for rent, but weren't compatible with our party of five (they seat only 4). It would seem like a lot of fun to rent the cart and just explore the area at your leisure, though. Was it worth a visit? No. I can't imagine how busy it is during the peak season. read more

If you're looking for fantastic day trip that has 350 years worth of history, look no further than the Palace of Versailles. You can easily reach the chateau by metro then transfer to RER C (buy a Paris-Versaille Rive Gauche ticket) or take one of the many bus tours that come here, you can do a half or full day tour of the Palace. We were pressed for time so we figured we'd trudge here early first thing in the morning then be back in Paris after lunchtime. It's totally doable and you'll need about 3 hours to see the both the Palace and the Gardens. Highlights of the Chateau include the Hall of Mirrors, Grand Trianon, the classic French paintings, King/Queen's bedchambers, etc. You will learn so much in the 2 hours that you're here than a semester of French history in school. The details are astounding -- both paintings and furniture are well preserved and the audioguides let you pace yourself accordingly. A visit to the gardens cost an extra 8 euros, but it is so worth your time. Well manicured lawns, meticulously cut plant art and hedges. The fountains make for a good musical water show, so make sure you're there to experience it. The website is very helpful and it'd be most wise to save some time by getting your tickets on line. Once you're there, whip out your thesaurus and be prepared to run out of adjectives because the words "opulent" and "extravagant" don't even begin to describe the beauty of Versailles. read more

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In A Nutshell: -Versailles is a place in world history where you walk around in "awe". -To see how opulent & rich this chateau was, is just crazy. -The "apartments" are very big rooms w/ little to no privacy. -It's very helpful to grab a pair of headphones so you can learn about each room & who lived there & how the royalty lived. -Be prepared to face mass crowds as you wander from room to room, building to building. Overall, once you complete the tour of Chateau de Versailles, you still have the gardens to visit, which cover even more ground. read more

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AVOID THE CROWDS! 1) SUMMER: Don't go. 2) GO BACKWARDS: Visit the Gardens, Marie Antoinette's mini-mansion, and the Grand Trianon first, then visit the Chaueau. Everyone else starts at the Chauteau. After reading and watching documentaries about this place for the past 20+ years, I honestly thought it would be bigger. €25.00 is steep to see it all, but the Paris Museum Pass, which we all had, includes Versailles. read more

'These boots are made for walking...' Well, not really. I thought mostly of fashion and what I was going to wear in Paris and what will look good. One of my purchases before my Parisian voyage, I bought stiletto leather boots which were darling. (More on my boots later...) I also did alot of research before my trip. Château de Versailles was one of my top sightseeing places on my to do list. Ooh la la what a marvelous, spectacular, picturesque, and truly magical palace it is. This Château is 30 minutes by Métro from the city of Paris. I highly recommend it if you are going to Paris for more than 2 days to check it out. My sister and I went there before opening time and it was very easy to buy the tickets after reaching there by the train. It is best to go early to avoid lines, and see the palace in a leisurely manner. We went in November which is considered off season so it was not very crowded. The only difficult part was my choice of boots. Yes, I wanted to feel like a princess in my dress and boots. I didn't know the entire area before walking up to the interior court of Versailles is cobblestone sidewalks. My stiletto boots caused my feet so much pain, yikes! Never in the name of fashion, well maybe... Even before walking up to the grand gates you should start taking photographs... Ah, what a splendid sight seeing the craftsman of the workers who tried to make the replica of the gates after they were originally destroyed.(Random fact: £4 million to rebuild the gates how they were in the 1680s.) Inside the palace, there are grand rooms everywhere, which will make you say ahh and ooh. However, there is one room which left a lasting impression on my mind. The hall of mirrors is one of the most breathtaking parts of the palace. There are mirrors, arches, chandeliers going across and windows are overlooking the garden. Speaking of the garden, we saw that after the palace and enjoyed the beauty of it. The gardens included grounds, fountains, flowers and all the wonderful elements within it. If this is not part of your future trip to Paris, please include the Château de Versailles, and you won't regret it. I only regret my crazy painful stiletto boots which I wore there. ~ read more

Château de Versailleo - Top photo of the grand gates before entering. Middle photo of the chapel inside the palace. Bottom photo of hall of mirrors. - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Versailles, 78

If you're in Paris this is really a must see. Tickets ahead of time is highly recommended. There were long lines which didn't seem to be moving very quickly. We had Pre-booked a private tour. Just 8 in our group. Our guide drove us from Paris, about a 45 minute drive. We got right in and our guide gave us earbuds and led us around with descriptions of each room. You have to be a little skeptical when looking at the furniture and decor. Remember that this was raided and looted during the French Revolution. So how much is real and original. Who knows? But just be amazed at the structure and the whole estate, which at one time was just a swampy area. Take time to stroll through the gardens. Visit the cafe. read more

I don't think you can go to France without visiting the chateau of Versailles! On the day we went, it was crowded for the exhibits, so we opted to visit the garden first. In the afternoon, it started to rain, so we spent the rest of the day visiting the exhibits we didn't visit initially. The garden itself is huge and there are options to rent a gold cart, bike, or even take a shuttle for an added cost. We enjoyed exploring the different parts and taking in all of the different sights. On your way into Versailles, there are a bunch of people selling nick nacks. On our way out, hey changed to sell ponchos and umbrellas because of the heavy rain. They even try to haggle with you when you tell them it's too expensive. read more

lovely place full of antiquated treasures. Great café for lunch. One bad thing was the men's room. Filthy toilets that were not being cleaned while the hordes of people file through the men's room. The entire floor of the men's room was corner to corner completely covered in 1/8" of urine. Absolutely disgusting!!! Two stars because of the men's room. read more

The Château de Versailles is absolutely stunning yet the chaotic crowds keep me from rating this attraction any higher than three stars. I thought I did everything right... I followed the travel guide's advice and avoided visiting on Tuesday because that's the busiest day of the week since the Louvre is closed. I arrived with my Paris Museum Pass when the Château opened to avoid the crowds and ticket line. Who would have predicted busloads of guided tours had done the same?!?! If I could do it again I would rent a bike and explore the gardens all day and then pop into the Château about an hour before it closes. The highlights of the Château include the Church and the Hall of Mirrors. It was difficult to enjoy the king and queen's bedrooms because the tour groups overcrowded the rooms and people were literally pushing each other to get better views and move on to the next rooms... so annoying!!! I wouldn't even attempt to visit this attraction in the summer, especially if you are only visiting Paris for a few days. The Disneyland crowds are a huge turnoff and your time will be better spent elsewhere. read more

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Versailles is one of those place that you have to visit at least once in your life, if not twice or even more than that... The grounds at this chateau are immaculate and the palace itself is maintained very well. The palace is surrounded by lush gardens that go on for days. Inside the palace, there is literally gold and fabric everywhere, you can really tell that our boy Louis the XIV was all about detail and had a bit of a fashionista in him, lol. The one thing that really hindered my absolute to enjoy this place, twice now has been the abundance of crowd that is here, you're literally battling foot traffic all throughout the inside of the palace. My advice to anyone visiting Versailles is to book ahead online and/or a private guided tour of both the Chateau and the Gardens, you'll thank me later. Nevertheless, this place is gorgeous from the inside out. Pros- Beautiful gardens Historical context Decor Sights Picturesque Well maintained Book ahead Private tours Cons- REALLY CROWDED Bathrooms are scarce read more

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*Fyi the Château de Versailles or train service to Versailles can sometimes be closed due to strike Check attractions' websites and Google for updated hours, days they are closed, strike information, etc. I followed Ben Y's advice and bought tickets online for a SPECIFIC entry TIME and day. This tip saved us hours of waiting in line. You can even show the tickets & barcode on your phone. You download the tickets pdf after purchasing. I had the chance to print them so I did. With these tickets you skip the big line and head straight to entrance A on the left - cut in line basically. You are guaranteed fast entry 30 minutes before your time or 30 minutes after your chosen time. If you miss your entry time period, then you supposedly have to wait in the regular line with everyone else. The regular line was very long, even at 1:30 pm. We just visited last week. We got the "passport" ticket which included everything on the estate. At the Palace, The Hall of Mirrors is a must. Several areas on the map were closed to the public and/or are being renovated (we didn't know until we asked an employee) so it should take too long too see all the rooms in the main Château. We skipped the fountains show because we heard it was just okay. I pre-downloaded their app on my phone & brought headphones to listen to their free audiotour, but you can easily get their free audiotour available in multiple languages onsite. You hold the device up to your ear if you don't have headphones. For visiting the Trianon Palaces & Marie Anntoinette's Estate: If you're already tired , then TAKE Le Petit TRAIN if you can, located off to the right side when entering the gardens after walking out of the Château. It was about 8 or so euros round trip per person from the Château. You can pay in cash or credit card. They'll give you a credit card sized paper ticket. The "conductor" will tear off a small strip on your ride to the Grand Trianon. Save the rest of the ticket and use it for the return trip. It'll save you 30 minutes of walking. Our feet already hurt from several days in Paris so this was great despite the extremely bumpy ride. If you have extreme back/spine pain, then you might want to rent a golf cart instead or inquire about special parking for handicap visitors at the Grand & Petit Trianon. Instead of the train, you can rent a golf cart (off to the left - opposite side from the train) for approximately 37 euros PER hour. This is really pricey, but if you have 4 people (especially elderly or kids in the group) it might be a good alternative to walking the really far distance to the The Grand Trianon, The Petit Trianon (Marie Anntoinette's), and the Hamlet. Plus, you can stop randomly in the gardens and go at your own pace. --- Getting to Versailles from Paris using the RER C train was worth it albeit a little confusing for us first timers. The regular Paris metro is excellent and very easy to use especially if you navigate using Google maps on your phone. Conversely, the signage for the RER C was not as clear as the regular metro. Luckily two enterprising men herded the confused tourists to the correct platform/area to wait (since it was a short train vs long train). These guys later sung and played an accordion on the train for tips lol. Getting from the Versailles train station to the Château is easy because you just follow the big crowd. Returning to Paris via the RER C was somewhat irritating because a train entered the station. A ton of people got off. Then it sat there for 15+ minutes without displaying the new destination on the train. The screen on the outside of the train went blank after arriving and stayed that way. It only ever said the correct destination on the small scrolling marquee inside the double decker train as we pulled away from the station. A bunch of us tourists hesitantly got on the train because it was a train sitting on the platform underneath the tv screen with the train line listed that we were looking for. All the employees were situated before you put your ticket through and enter the platform area. No one was around to help by the trains. --- Despite the confusion on finding the correct RER C train platform to & from Versailles, the history and seeing the Château, extra buildings, hamlet, and gardens in person were worth the day trip from Paris. read more

The Chateau de Versailles is gorgeous! When you walk up to the gates, you see how majestic the place is. So much gold! I thought the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna was huge, but this takes the cake. Walking through each room and seeing the opulent design and furniture was amazing and you feel like you're transformed back in time. However, after a while I got bored because it got repetitive and I just wanted to be outside in the garden, which was even more breathtaking. I loved walking through the gardens, looking at the fountains, and checking out the other parts of the palace grounds. The crowds tend to thin out there too! Due to lack of time, we didn't get to spend too much time at Marie Antoinette's estate. *When we were walking around the palace, we didn't really look at the map. We just walked around and accidentally left the building, missing the section with the hall of mirrors. We went back to the entrance to re-enter. One lady wouldn't let us since we were already scanned in, but her co-worker who understood better English let us through. Don't make the same mistake we did! If you want a snack and you're feeling fancy, you can drop by Angelina's for hot chocolate and pretty pastries. There is a Laduree, but just know that the minimum order is 8 macarons! There is also a restaurant, but I didn't check it out. Buy your tickets online in advance so you don't have to stand in line when you get there. If you get the whole Passport package that includes the garden, Grand Trianon, and Marie Antoinette's estate, which is highly recommended, you should be prepared to spend an entire day here. Most of the descriptions are in French, but they offer a free audio guide at the front desk. read more

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'Ello Chaps! Wandering the wonderous former grounds of French Royalty. Chateau Versailles or Palace of Versailles as Americans would call it is located on the outskirts of Paris. About a 45 minute train ride from the City. Versaille is an expansive property, serving as the royal residence of France from 1682, under Louis XIV, until the start of the French Revolutions in 1789. The estate is now owned by the Government, with tourists having a full roam of the palace. Many rooms are decorated with paintings and decour of the times and some furniture of royal family's past. For history buffs, it is epic. Outside the gardens are expansive and will definitely help you earn your walking steps for the days. TIP: Don't care to walk but still want to see the grounds? Considering renting one of the on site golf carts. Located outside the back exit - at the front of the gardens. Can't miss it. It costs about $35 USD for the first hour (which you can do the whole gardens loop in about one hour) and then it's about $8 USD for every 15 minutes after one hour. It's well worth it - especially when it's a bit cold outside. Like most tourist attractions, the sooner you arrive, the smaller the crowd. The tour buses and big crowds start showing up by mid/late morning. As a smaller group you can get a jump start on that by coming a bit early, closer to open. TIP: Pre purchase your admission ticket, and for busier seasons, definitely pre buy your ticket with an allotted entry time. Other reviews talk about people waiting several hours in line just to get in the door. It pays to do a bit of work ahead of time. OVERALL: I give Palace of Versailles three Cheers out of Five. If you've never been to Paris and have a few days to spare, then it's well worth it, just know that it will take up a good chunk of your day. That's in low peak season. Restrooms are a bit inconvenient in that there are only one or two. There are several gift shops and a café or two. It's best to ensure you are well rested, wearing comfortable shoes, and have had breakfast prior to arrival as touring the palace and grounds can be tedious and long, especially in extreme weather. read more

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Beautiful. Endless. Perfect. All I knew about Versailles was the giant garden. Silly me never did grasp the significance of the palace itself. Here's a review for other newbies: Come here in the morning, when the front gates were meant to be seen. It's so reflective, however, that at certain angles you might want sunglasses. The gold trim everywhere is very extravagant, but you'll see more. The first few rooms start to feel a bit repetitive. It's wall after wall of intricate paintings and chandeliers. At some points I honestly could not figure out where I was until I entered the second half of the mansion. Then you could start seeing the cool stuff. My favorite was a room filled with paintings that depicted dozens of French wars. You'll know who the Americans are when they see Yorktown and exclaim "OMG it's Washington!" After traipsing through the first indoor portion, you're finally ready for the gardens that make this famous. Whoa. This is overwhelming. You can walk for a while and still not be able to see the other edge. Seemingly infinite rows of flawlessly aligned trees and trimmed hedges. A ground view doesn't quite do it justice in that aspect. Swarms of locals hang out here to picnic outside, which should be an indicator that this is the spot to be, a serene solace from the hustle and bustle of its raucous neighbor, Paris. If you must, feel free to shell out 7-9 Euro for the trolley. Also, feel free to shell out an extra 10 Euro for the house of Marie Antoinette. The house alone I thought was a big ripoff, since there weren't many rooms and only one or two cool displays. It feels like you're standing inside a simulation of history, and not the real deal. But what I had overlooked was a *separate* garden that your additional payment grants access to. Bummer this wasn't pointed out until it was too late. Overall, nothing I really wrote matters because if you're in France, you will be compelled to go here. Just be prepared to spend an entire day and maybe get nickel and dimed. Oh BTW, there are lakes, restaurants, and lakeside restaurants. I don't think Yelp's character limit allows for a complete writeup of what this has to offer. read more

Château de Versailleo - The golden gates were SO bright in the morning. I recommend bringing shades. - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Versailles, 78

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Absolutely beautiful and a must if you're in Paris and have time. This requires at least a day to enjoy. Our hotel was right next to Versailles so we just walked over. It was a long walk though because this place is HUGE. Once we got inside, we rented a golf cart (bring your driver license if you want to rent a cart). It was like E35 for the first hour but it's so worth it to drive around the beautiful garden. After the garden, we went inside the museum and holy crap it's big. So many rooms that we couldn't get to but the mirror room is definitely a must. They also have Angelina and Lauduree if you want to eat lunch or snacks. I highly recommend buying tickets in advance and go on weekdays. There was no line for us but I overheard someone at the airport saying they waited 3 hrs to get in. read more

Not much going on here. It's unfortunate that our tour was cut off short. Such a bummer. We didn't had a chance to explore the massive garden. The palace itself is just okay. But I think it's better to explore outside the palace. There's more to see outside. read more

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Spellbinding. Legendary. Versailles is one of our world's greatest architectural treasures, which must be visited during your trip to Paris. If you are interested in history, you'll enjoy exploring the elegant interior rooms as well as the extensive gardens. Keep in mind that extensive reservations are constantly underway. This isn't Walt Disney World and they don't have billions of dollars to repair each and every nook and corner. Immerse yourself in the space and the history and you'll have an unforgettable experience. Pro Tips: - Closed on Monday - Purchase the ticket where you choose a specific entry time to avoid the wait - If you don't buy in advance, prepare to stand in line for 1 hour or more - Bring a picnic for the gardens! - Read Louis XIV's "Letters to the Dauphin" about the king's thoughts on leadership, legacy and life (the primary sources about Versailles are fascinating!) - Wear comfortable shoes - Take the train from Paris (affordable, quick, easy walk to palace) - If winter or spring, pack an umbrella read more

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This was a castle--in my opinion, one enormous castle yet beautiful especially the gardens. Oui, a man's house *IS* his castle! Visitors can visualize the history through the years. Our tour guide led our group through all the elaborate bedrooms, etc, but the highlight was definitely the hall of mirrors. Everything in the room seemingly reflects infinitely and the room appears to stretch on forever. Baroque music sets the time era. The gardens were probably the most beautiful I had ever seen and there were so many places to wander and explore. At times my former love and I felt like we were the only souls on the grounds. We visited the many fountains, and looked over the orange grove which was a nice isolated spot. Château de Versailles is not only a castle, but serves a musuem of the infamous Treaty of Versailles that occurred in France's history. read more

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Summary: amazing place and a must visit in France...but extremely long lines. I had 0 expectations before getting to the palace at Versailles. I literally knew nothing about Versailles outside of the Treaty of Versailles (America!! F*** yeah!). Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined such a luxurious blast from the Franco past. It's a bit of a hike from Paris proper. You're looking at a smooth train ride out into the countryside. From the train station, it's still a bit of a walk to the main entrance. And then, once you get to the main entrance, prepare for a Disneyworld series of lines. We made the mistake of arriving right around lunchtime, so the blazing summer sun cooked us to a crisp. Plan accordingly and try and arrive earlier (and maybe bring an umbrella to shield from the sun). Once inside, you're transported to a world of luxury that's difficult to grasp. You thought having a washer/dryer in NYC was peak luxury? Think again. The grounds are immaculately maintained, and each room inside the mansion has lots of history and intrigue. This definitely ranks up there in my favorite things I saw during my brief stay in the greater Paris area. It will eat up most of a day, but I think it's worth it - even if you are not a big "museum person" (I definitely am not a museum guy, but still enjoyed this) read more

YES IT'S CROWDED - SO WHAT! The best thing to do is to higher a tour guide. Your guide can pre-buy the tickets and you can have a early morning set time to enter to palace. If you get in early you can beat some of the crowds but regardless it's still gonna be crowded. Is it worth it, YES. The history, the architecture, the gardens its all a must see. But I do recommend a guide to explain all the history, it really helped us get a better understanding of the place. read more

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Love the château, but stay away in July! It's so crowded, and you can barely move! Recommendation: buy reserved tickets online at the chateau website. You then barely have a line, and can get in and out quick! read more

I am not much of a "let's go to Europe and tour castles / old churches / museums" type of guy. However, I was in Paris for a week for work and we had a group outing one evening to the Palace of Versaille. The place is gigantic and ornate and quite beautiful. This really did not do much for me, however. The show stopper here is the gardens out back. One word: stunning. The "backyard" of this place is mammoth in size and is meticulously maintained. From the back of the palace there are several pools of water that stretch out way into the distance. From what our guide told us, the space extended over 3 km from where we were standing. Being there around sunset didn't hurt either. Although a bit skeptical at first, le jardin du Palace Versaille was an amazing and tranquil place, and a very good way to end a hectic day of work. read more

Château de Versailleo - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Versailles, 78

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Considering that Paris is a dump, Versailles visit will make it little better. You can feel good about the amount of money you spent for coming to Paris! Good architecture, good history (if you care about it), big crowds (but they keep moving) and a macaron store inside the palace. But if I could pick one thing about Versailles, which you should not miss, it would be the beautiful gardens. Constantly maintained by a horde of gardeners, they are a beauty. You could spend hours strolling there, taking selfies and just relaxing. read more

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The last time I was here, it was much warmer, this time around, it was pretty breezy, so our walk in the garden was something we did first just to avoid the rain later and thank goodness we missed the rain just as we were leaving. The line to get the tickets are separate than the lines to get in, so make sure you're in the right line. Also, there's a line for you to store your strollers and bags, since that's not allowed. My husband had to carry my daughter everywhere since we weren't able to use the stroller in the place. The place is absolutely beautiful and they have certainly achieved their goal of creating a palace more beautiful than any other palace (at that time). Make sure you get the extra ticket to see Marie Antoniette's Domain, it makes sense now as to why she's such a big figure in France. Her domain is further down and there's a tram that takes you there from the lake, don't try walking. We walked and regretted it immediately since it was farther than we expected it to be. read more

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This is a beautiful, historic place to visit! Here's a quick list of all the tips I used during my visit in July 2018. ~If you are coming from Paris, buy a return train ticket so you don't need to wait in the long lines going back into the city. ~Purchase a timed-ticket through their website. I suggest any time between 9-10am will be good! We did a 10am timed ticket and the people in the very short time-ticket line let my husband and I in 15 minutes early! ~Don't forget to grab a map after security! They have many languages to choose from. ~To enter the staterooms, there two lines: one for audio headsets and the other is no audio. We opted for the no audio headsets because there was no line and you walk through. ~Bring extra cash to buy snacks and water at the various locations throughout the garden and grounds. We bought picnic items and ate by the fountains. Including the 40ish minute train rides, we spent a little over half a day! We are in our late 20s and was able to walk the whole grounds in the hot July summer. We walked well-over 20,000 steps! Take a lot of breaks and enjoy the views instead of spending a lot of money on the golf carts and bikes. read more

Château de Versailleo - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Versailles, 78

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Versailles is an unbelievable place...everything is breathtaking, the castle, the forest nearby, the fountains and small canals...whether you come here in winter or summer on a bike or walking, it is peaceful and majestic everywhere you go! it gets a little crowded in the summer months but the park behind the castle is huge and great to enjoy a bottle of wine/cheese or ride your bike. only 35/40 minutes from Paris, everyone should see this place at least once in their lifetime! I have been here many times and always enjoy it.. read more

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You would think a palace of this magnitude that brings in more than 1 million euros a day could provide a better reception to its guests who are paying $27e to enter. Beware of the beating sun on your head as you wait in ridiculously long lines BRING SUN SCREEN. The huge waiting area has big uneven cobblestone floors that you could easily snap an ankle on if not careful. Take your time planing your visit to be sure to buy the right ticket as the gardens are not included with a regular ticket. After the exhausting wait to enter there is very little direction for people not with a tour group. We chose to eat at Angelina's which was very overpriced for the small portions they serve. The food is average to say the least but the deserts are wonderful. I suggest dessert only if you choose to eat. While walking the tour I exited a room but wanted to go back only to learn I couldn't. The security guard whose breath was absolutely disgusting refused to let me back in yet he let another who spoke French back in. He was rude and very short which explained his Napoleon complex power trip. Beware of Rooms with exits that do not allow reentry, they are not posted. All in all I would have preferred watching a National Geographic special on the palace of Versailles rather than supporting this Euro hungry tourist trap. read more

Unfortunately I didn't like coming here so much. It was extremely crowded. Definitely lots of history, but I don't think I would come back here. read more

Now this is a castle. The Château de Versailles is obviously very famous for its architectural beauty and historic significance. But you really will not be able to comprehend the scale and splendor of this palace until you see it right in front of you. Versailles is about 12 miles from Paris, so it's necessary to take public transportation or drive out if you're staying in the city. We took the RER C train to Versailles and it was a quick walk from the station to the gates. I would highly, highly recommend buying your ticket ahead of time so you avoid waiting at the ticket office. If you do buy it before you visit, make sure to print it out and bring it with you. To my knowledge, they don't accept electronic copies on your phone. Once you're here, go straight to entrance A. The Passport tickets give admission to the entire estate, including the palace, the estate of Trianon, the gardens, and the temporary exhibits, for 20 euros. If you want to see the Musical Fountain Shows or Musical Gardens, it's 27 euros. The Palace ticket (no admission to the estate of Trianon) is 18 euros. If you're under 18 (or 26 residing in the EU), admission is free. There are some other conditions for free admission as well, which you can check on their website. On the first Sunday of every month from November to March, admission is free. Like many museums, suitcases and large bags are not permitted and have to be checked. Photography is permitted but not flash. It's a fairly self-explanatory path you have to take through the estate to view the many rooms, such as the Royal Chapel, the King's Chamber, Hall of Mirrors, the Queen's Chamber, and the Gallery of Battles. The Hall of Mirrors if my personal favorite. There are 17 arches in this hall and each arch contains 21 mirrors. It's incredibly gorgeous. Once you're done touring the estate, you can go to the gardens. The gardens are actually free unless there is a Fountain Show and Musical Garden day. These gardens span over 800 hectacres of land. They cover so much territory you can't even see the end. Here you'll find thousands of trees and fountains, perfectly manicured lawns, sculptures, and fountains. Walking around the gardens was definitely my favorite part of visiting Versailles. read more

Impressive chateau however severely lacking in other areas. The line to get into the gate, even with pre-purchased tickets was over three hours, we arrived at 10 am but did not enter the chateau until after 1:30pm! There are is an orderly queue but that's it; no public toilets and no food/water available. Thankfully it was only about 15C or we would have suffered severe dehydration/heat exhaustion. The Chateau building is impressive but there is little signage about what you are seeing and what there is available is almost exclusively on French. It is largely unfurnished, I'm guessing to allow for the massive crowds no matter the time of year you're visiting. (this visit is in the spring however we've visited in winter and autumn with the same crowds) The free-included gardens close 45 minutes before the posted times so if you really want to see them you'll have to pay the extra ticket or visit another day. Overall extremely disappointing, half of our visit was spent standing in lines. read more

If you have the time, a visit to the Chateau de Versailles is a must. Buy tickets online, get there early, wait patiently to get in, grab an audio guide and plan on spending at least half a day here. The palace is beautiful and is filled with so much history. If you thought that the palace was huge, wait until you see the gardens. Louis XIV, you did a fantastic job with this one. read more

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A day at the palace... Once the "King's House" (starting w King Louis XIV), now a museum, making the trek from Paris is definitely worth it, at least once. The size is unbelievable. It's grand & majestic (understatement), a work of art that's housing works of art. Beyond remarkable. A stunning set up (another understatement), walking the grounds had me daydreaming of attending a wedding here. Whose wedding? Doesn't matter. This backdrop for such a rite of passage would be nothing short of surreal. The mood. Between the architecture, the history, & the location, a person can expect to feel overwhelmed & awe struck. It's also easy to romanticize the whole thing; what it was like when it was a private residence. If "masterpiece" can be a mood, then it is so here. The negative? It's a major tourist destination, & that brings all the nitty gritty that that entails. The crowds, buses, & impersonal tours can't detract from the sheer beauty of the property, but they can succeed in tarnishing an otherwise perfect day. Lastly, I felt a tinge of melancholy & longing here. The Palace of Versailles was much happier being a private residence than it is being a tourist destination. No doubt. A must for any art lover; just know you're really playing tourist for a day. 4 stars. read more

My husband and I visited Versailles on our recent trip to France and we really liked this chateau. It's so grand...so amazing, and filled with wonderful artwork, rooms, and fancy French sculptures. While my husband thought it was pretty cool, he didn't seem that inspired or awe-struck. haha :) I found the gardens to be so beautiful, with the green lawns, sprawling bushes and well manicured greenery all around. You can see so far into the distance with the fountain(s) and even a mini pool/lake on the grounds for ducks to swim and hang out. :) Very much worth a visit if you're in the Paris area and can travel outside of Paris for a half-day trip (at the minimum!). So easy to get to via the metro / subway, and what's so awesome is that this Chateau entrance is included in the Paris Museum Pass. WORTH A VISIT! read more

Château de Versailleo - Main gallery hallway - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Versailles, 78

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Something helpful to know for first time visitors... wish I knew to save some time!! When facing the Château, Buy your ticket at the building on the left. When u go in there, the first table is only information, to buy ticket, continue to walk deeper in. Once you have your ticket, then go back to the Château entrances. The right side is for groups, left side is everyone else. We went on a day with relatively little people, so got to walk through the museum rather quickly. Probably got in and out in ~ 2 hours. They will try to upsell you with tickets to Marie Antoinette 2€ more. It isn't expensive but just didn't have time, or energy to walk there lol Highlights of this tourist spot is definitely the mirror room, and the garden outside. But tbh, it look very similar to the louvre napoleon exhibit apartment was just as impressive, if not more impressive read more

Château de Versailleo - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Versailles, 78

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

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