My 19 yo daughter and myself took the opportunity of a full day, private tour of Versailles. Wanting to visit Versailles for a very long time I thought I would treat myself to a private tour and guide and I couldn't have been happier. Booking and reserving our tour via the Hidden Gems Website, liaising with Xavier in the office was very simple. On the day of the tour we were picked up on time at our location, in a lovely Mercedes with our driver and Lorenzo, our fabulous tour guide. From the moment we were picked up, we had the best time, Lorenzo was engaging and having studied history in a professional capacity was a fountain of knowledge on all things France, not just Versailled. On arrival at Versailles we toured the grounds extensively for a while, then bypassed the lengthy lines of tourists directly into the Chateau for our tour. Each room we stopped in and were given a detailed history of the room, daily life, court etiquette - any questions I had (and I had many) Lorenzo was fully versed and knew all answers. After our tour of the Chateau, back into the grounds and we walked to one of the gorgeous little restaurants within the grounds for lunch. After lunch we visited the Trianon's - touring the Petite Trianon in detail - again with all details of the history, artwork briefings and how the ladies of the court all traversed their time at Versailles. After this had concluded off to the hamlet for another guided and extensive tour - if you love your history this is the tour for you. It was personalized and we felt very lucky to have a tour guide like Lorenzo. Highly recommended. Wear good walking shoes - it is a full day though there is lots to see - I believe there are half day tours which would also be fabulous if going with Hidden Gems - however I knew I wanted to see as much as I could in detail as from Australia, Versailles is a bit of a trek. My only disappointment on the day was the Royal Chapel was being restored to its former glory so we couldn't see that - however this applied for all tourists. Our car was waiting for us at the hamlet at the end of the day, just in time for a relaxing drive back to Paris - it really was a wonderful day. I viewed many companies offering a private, full day tour and really feel I chose the best. Spending the day with a lovely historian with a french accent - harder ways to spend the day touring Versailles. :-) Lyrae Turner Victoria, Australia. Visited in January read more

My family and I recently traveled to Paris as part of a vacation. We wanted to visit Versailles. As I was researching different options, I came across this option. We decided to do the full day "Our Private Versailles Tour: The Unmissables", including both Versailles and Le Petit Trianon. Our tour guide, Lorenzo, arrived very promptly at out hotel at 9 am, as scheduled. He had been in touch with me several times via email a day or two before the tour, to finalize the tour. I unfortunately had not been able to retrieve the email until around 10:00 pm the night before. I responded to the email and he promptly responded even so late at night. We boarded a very comfortable van driven by a very courteous driver who always had cold bottled water waiting for us both directions. The drive was comfortable and Lorenzo began a day full of history! Lorenzo guided us past the long lines and we entered a separate entrance from the masses. We spent the day enjoying all Versailles, the Palace Gardens and Le Petit Trianon. Lorenzo was so impressive with his knowledge the entire day! He was a wealth of information. He explained the traditional history and narratives that one would hear from a traditional guide but then told us unique stories and facts that one would not find in a history book or hear on a "traditional" tour. The day was full of information but Lorenzo never seemed to tire (or lose his voice) or falter. He was UNBELIEVABLE! Even on the drive back to Paris and our hotel Lorenzo continued to impress. He pulled out a map of Paris and gave us suggestions and mini lectures about other sights to see while in Paris. He truly is very knowledgeable and I wish he could have been our personal guide for the whole vacation! I am so glad that I found this tour. It was the highlight of our trip! I am sure that all the guides are great but I would DEFINITELY request Lorenzo and I have told everyone that I know about our FANTASTIC experience! We will definitely by calling Lorenzo again the next time we visit. read more

This was an extraordinary event from start to finish. Hidden Gems offers a personalized service even from the booking. I am a small business owner, and I really appreciated the unique touches that this well-organized, local experience offers. Our party consisted of two friends, mothers, with teenage daughters and spoke several languages between us. We chose the Full Day tour (the only way to see Versailles including Marie Antoinette's "Unmissable" Hamlet) with Transportation from the hotel, which is advisable in case the RER/Metro goes on strike on the day of your tour! Hidden Gems is right: our guide began giving us relevant French history while our professional driver led us safely there. This was a nice touch. Our guide Lorenzo was elegant, thoughtful and fun, a genuinely inquisitive, down-to-earth person with easy knowledge of breadth and depth about Paris and Versailles, current and historic. His revelations gave me a tenderness for as well as insight into the meaning of Versailles for both pre- and post-Revolutionary France. We toured on Easter Sunday: Versailles was packed, and the wind cold. Lorenzo slipped us through the crowds with ease so we hardly noticed. He showered us with intriguing details about Versailles and really helped us dig into the world there. He guided us just the right amount of time through the extraordinarily-coiffed forests, to the musical fountains, into a warm "brasserie" for lunch, and on through Marie Antoinette's Hamlet, and even patiently waited as some of our party wandered through the gift shops. This tour was an invaluable, once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience the national treasure of Versailles, from a local's perspective. For me, a truly unforgettable Easter. Thank you Lorenzo, and Thank you Hidden Gems! read more

My family was staying in Paris and at the last minute decided to go to Versailles on a half-day trip. We booked the trip online at Hidden Gems Tours and it was very easy to book. I thought it was slightly pricey but I knew it was last minute. However, after the tour I can say that it was money well spent. The driver came to our flat in a Mercedes van to pick us up. He was early and waited for us. When we got to the van he was professional and pleasant. Our tour guide came from the train and also met us at our flat and she was early as well. Her name is Anna Maria and if you book a tour you need to specifically as for her! She was like an angel from heaven. She is the nicest person we have ever met. She knew a lot of history and on the ride to the Palace she pointed out many things to us. When we arrived, we went in through a side gate and we avoided a very long line. Anna Maria knew many of the people working there and she was able to get us into the Palace right away. We went through each room and she provided us with a wealth of information. She concentrated on the children and really got them interested in the experience which is not easy to do with children, especially teenagers. The tour of the gardens was even more special. Anna Maria knew many of the hidden secrets. She took us to a concession stand for cold drinks and it was hidden away and was empty so we were able to get right through. In the gift shop, she was very helpful in getting us information on what we could take on the plane and what we couldn't. Anna Maria is a special person and really made this a wonderful family excursion. read more

We did the full day Unmissables tour to Versailles that included the palace of Versailles, Petit Trianon, and Marie Antoinette's hamlet with Lorenzo was our guide. It was an amazing tour and this tour company did a wonderful job. This tour is pricey but worth every penny!!! The driver and Lorenzo arrived on time at our hotel. The car was in excellent condition - clean, very roomy, seats facing each other, water bottles and mints. Lorenzo was a wonderful guide. His knowledge of history was impressive and his detailed knowledge about Marie Antoinette especially was fascinating. He was friendly, personable, and informative. We walked at a nice pace and he was able to teach us something new every step of the way. We had a wonderful time at lunch chatting about life and Paris in general and not just Versailles. Entering from the side entrance saved so much time - the wait was pretty short to get in with the groups. Walking around Versailles with a private guide who could answer all your questions, fill in the details of the history, keep two young teens interested, and knew when to hang back to let us enjoy the view or the sights was an amazing experience and one I highly recommend. Lastly, the nice touch at the end was being picked up near Marie Antoinette's hamlet rather than walking all the way back to the main entrance. We really appreciated that at the end of the day. Thank you for an amazing experience! read more

Our family's private tour of The Louvre with Lea was amazing. It changed my view of museums and was the absolute highlight of our four days in Paris. She expertly navigated through the museum and brought it to life with story telling precision. Her warm, engaging personality was fun and informative. We could have spent all day listening to her wealth of knowledge, fun tidbits and humorous antidotes. The tour was crafted in such a way that helped us understand and appreciate the history of sculptures and the evolution of art and paintings. My daughters enjoyed the link to Greek and Roman mythology with explanation of the statues. I felt I better understood the true draw of the Mona Lisa by the time we lined up in the queue to see her. We were able to see the major pieces offered by The Louvre and she accommodated a special request to the see an additional piece of the Mesopotamia era, the Hammurabi. We learned the history of the museum, from fortress to palace to modern day. Works of art viewed included The Winged Victory of Samonthrace, The Venus de Milo, works by Delacroix and da Vinci, The Galerie d'Apollon with the French Crown Jewels and the Apartments of Napoleon. Lea made a number of connections to the Palace of Versailles and I wished we were able to take a tour with her of the Palace. Thank you. It was a wonderful experience and would highly recommend. read more

Tour guide Lorenzo had such a depth of knowledge about Versailles, the history, social life, architecture, art and gardens, as well as those interesting little stories that make it all come alive. Also his pace was just right for us. We did a leisurely stroll through the gardens and the walk was perfect to get a feel for the grandeur of the park with the alleys and private gardens, sculpture and fountains. With the sun out and heating up, he made an effort to walk us in the shady areas and let us sit from time to time as he gave us further explanation. Inside the château, Lorenzo navigated beautifully through the masses, giving us enough time to grasp what he was saying without being hurried or pushed by the crowd behind us. He dictated the pace, which enabled us to savor what we were seeing. The transportation from our lodging and back to Paris was luxurious, thanks to the comfortable vehicles and Hidden Gems SAS' competent and courteous drivers. We appreciated the bottled water on this especially warm day, and the bon bons were an added treat. Our overall experience was a memory not to be forgotten: a peek into the life of the aristocracy while being treated like royalty ourselves. Thank you Hidden Gems for making this dream a reality for those in our group who had heard so much about Versailles but had never been there. read more

Have you ever had an experience so completely perfect, you were reluctant to review it because of its dreamlike perfection? That is how I feel about the Hidden Gems Tour of Versailles with Marc-Antoine. As I celebrate one year passing since my fiancé and I went on our first trip to Paris, this tour still stands out as being one of the most worthwhile things we did. I can't image seeing Versailles any other way! The Mercedes van picked us up at our hotel in St Germain-des-pres and Marc-Antoine told us all about the places we were passing on our way...we did not have to wait in the (unimaginably long) line once we reached the golden gates of the Sun King's palace; we moved seamlessly from room to room with Marc-Antoine guiding us through the throngs of people...I didn't even feel claustrophobic, I was too fascinated by all the stories he was telling us! We were able to ask questions (he knew the answer to every one!) and we got details about the palace, the gardens...the paintings..everything..in a way that could only be possible being one-on-one with a local guide. My biggest regret was only doing the half-day tour--and my greatest hope is that someday we will be able to go back and have Marc-Antoine and Hidden Gems take us more extensively through the grounds and gardens! Merci beaucoup, nous espérons vous voir bientôt! read more

We had a wonderful time. Our guide Justine was amazing. She was very attentive, friendly and knowledgeable, which made the experience much richer. We enjoyed her company so much that we told her to come stay with us if she comes to the New York area. The convenience of being picked up at our hotel cannot be overstated, especially as we were still contending with jet lag. Plus, the car ride gave us an opportunity to chat with Justine and break the ice. At the end of the tour, we were pretty exhausted and knowing that we didn't have to contend with public transportation was such a relief. Obviously, the private car was a splurge, but for this tour, with so much information to be absorbed and the large crowds at Versailles, it provided a much needed respite. The palace and grounds were mind-boggling, and learning about the historical context of Versailles was very important to understanding the events leading up to the revolution and France as a nation generally. Our favortie part of the tour, actually, was Petite Trianon and it's little hamlet. The intimacy and scale of Marie Antoinette's refuge from palace life made it more relatable and brought her more into focus as a tragic figure. We highly recommend this tour! read more

My mom and I took the private "Unmissables" half-day tour to Versailles through Hidden Gems, and we have nothing but rave reviews about the experience! We were met at our hotel by our guide, Lorenzo and a driver. During the 40 minute drive to Versailles, Lorenzo shared the political history that led to the French Revolution. He ensured a quick entry to the palace and our tour began. His knowledge of the palace and grounds was remarkable. He made sure to point out so many interesting details in the different rooms, such as hidden doors, artifacts like the clock in the king's bedroom, and the themes and artwork in each room. Lorenzo was very gracious and answered every question we posed. He never rushed us through a room and made sure we were able to take as many pictures as we wanted, all while providing the history and significance of the design of each room. Lorenzo told us so many tidbits of life at Versailles that you would not get by taking a large tour, and he spoke excellent English. This tour was a highlight of our trip to Paris, and rates our highest recommendation! read more

We had an outstanding experience touring Paris with Melanie from The TOUR GUY. From start to finish, she was thorough, engaging, and incredibly insightful. What really stood out was how she brought each location to life--not just with facts, but with context, storytelling, and a clear passion for the history. One of the best parts of the tour was the communication system. The use of earbuds made a huge difference--it allowed us to hear every word clearly, even in crowded or noisy areas, without having to stay right on top of the group. It felt like a premium, well-thought-out experience. As a Bram Stoker Award-winning Author and former Director of Education, I can not state enough how efficient Melanie was in giving us the optimal experience of learning. Inspiration from this experience will definitely touch the pages of my next novel. Overall, this was an elite level of service and one of the most enjoyable and informative tours we've taken. Highly recommend Melanie and The Tour Guy to anyone looking to really understand and experience Paris beyond the surface. read more

We felt like royalty for a day during our Hidden Gems tour of Versailles and the Queen's Hamlet. We were picked up by our driver at our apartment in Paris and whisked away to Versailles. Our guide, Lorenzo met us upon arrival and we skipped all lines and entered Versailles immediately. Lorenzo was full of stories about Versailles and the many residents throughout history. He was also very patient with us as we wanted to take many photos and even waited while we did a bit of shopping in the gift shop. We walked through the gardens and had a lovely lunch followed by a tour of the Queen's Hamlet. Lorenzo could see we were getting a bit tired and I suspect he called ahead to have our driver meet us at the Queen's Hamlet - shortening our walk back to the pick-up location. On our way back to Paris, our driver suggested a quick excursion to the Arc de Triomphe - rounding out a glorious day. We were treated like royalty throughout the day. We thoroughly enjoyed the excursion. Thank you to Lorenzo and the Hidden Gems team. read more

My husband and I booked the full day tour of Versailles and had a great experience. The driver Sebastian picked us up at our hotel with our guide Anna- Maria, and that was so easy! After about a 30 minute drive we were dropped off right outside the entry point. Anna-Maria has tremendous passion for what she does, and it makes her a delight to be with. She was able to answer any questions we had about the history of Versailles or the lives of the people who lived there, and she took great care to point out special things that might easily be overlooked. We had a nice lunch in the parc down by the gardens which provided the perfect break before we continued. In addition to the magnificent palace, we loved the hidden rooms in the gardens and the Queen's Hamlet. Doing the whole day tour ensures you see a more intimate side of the grounds and gives a welcome break from the crowds. When we were finished, we were picked up and returned easily to our hotel. I cannot imagine a better way to see Versailles. read more

Versailles is nothing short of extraordinary. From the grandeur of the main palace and its sprawling grounds to the elegance of the Grand and Petit Trianon and their stunning gardens, every part of the estate is breathtaking. What truly brought the experience to life for us, though, was our guide, Anais. Anais provided an exceptional, in-depth perspective on the history of Versailles--offering insights into the lives, routines, and personalities of the kings and queens who once called it home. Her storytelling was rich with detail and context, painting a vivid picture of court life and the construction of the palace. Her knowledge and passion added so much depth to our visit, making it not just a tour, but an unforgettable journey through time. My family and I left feeling inspired, informed, and in awe. We are incredibly grateful to Anais for sharing her expertise and helping make our visit to one of the most magnificent places on Earth truly magical. Thank you! read more

We had an exceptional day at Versailles with our guide, Lorenzo, who was knowledgeable, conversant, entertaining and efficient. We navigated our way into the castle without suffering a lengthy line, and Lorenzo knowledgeably shepherded us through the castle and grounds ably and while avoiding the throngs of other visitors. We enjoyed a lovely lunch at the restaurant in the gardens and then spent a couple of hours exploring le Petit Trianon and its grounds. The absolute ease of pick-up and drop-off at the hotel definitely contributed to an effortless but educational day. Lorenzo was delightful to have as a guide because he was able to educate my 16-year-old on the basics of French royalty and Versailles history while also answering more specific questions that she had about particular areas of interest while also discussing current politics with me. While this is a pricey tour, you most certainly get your investment's worth out of it! Highly recommend! read more

We found and tried this personalized tour of Versailles. A bit of a gamble, but reviews seemed very positive. It was absolutely fantastic. Xavier communicated via email, and everything was easy and clear. Our tour guide, Lorenzo, was so very kind, personable and helpful. This was a trip with our two eldest granddaughters, and it turned into our best day in Paris. My 13 year old granddaughter wanted to add the following: "I thought it was nice how we had a fancy car pick us up and drop us off. Our guide was really nice because he included me and he explained everything very well. I liked that!" We couldn't have been more pleased. I actually felt sorry for the crowds waiting two hours in the heat to get into the palace. We loved the personalized VIP treatment, and made a new friend. The driver was also helpful and great. There is no better way to see Versailles, period. A first-class experience! read more

I loved every minute of our full day private tour of Versailles, the gardens and Petit Trianon. It was so convenient (and comfortable!!) to have drivers pick us up at our Paris hotel. Lorenzo, our tour guide, was fantastic. We enjoyed chatting with him on the way to and from Versailles, and of course, at Versailles, he was very knowledgeable, personable and interesting. I had been to Versailles years before, as had two other people in my group of eight (two families, so four adults, two teenagers, and two 11 year-olds), but I wanted the first-timers to have the full experience. This tour was truly amazing, and everyone loved it. I enjoyed it so much more and learned so much more than my previous trip. I want to go back! All communication throughout the booking process was clear and easy. It was easily my favorite activity in Paris. I highly recommend this company and this tour! read more

Our tour of Versailles was amazing!!! Lorenzo was an excellent guide, by far the best guide we had while in Paris and Barcelona. He was incredibly knowledgeable, very passionate about the history of Versailles and France, clearly understood the art and artists of Europe, great sense of humor and all around very enjoyable to be with. Having our own private guide was key! The tour was tailor made for us, with Lorenzo covering all the details we were interested in, answering all of our specific questions. We could also hear everything he said, which does not happen on group tours. If you're going to see Versailles, definitely get Lorenzo. Again, he is so knowledgeable and enjoyable to spend time with. It was clear during our tour that he was well liked and respected by people who worked at Versailles as well as other tour guides. Also, Liam was a great driver, very pleasant. read more

Our tour was simply fantastic. Guided by Nat, we did the 1/2 day tour with transportation provided between our hotel and Versailles. Nat was appropriately curious about our backgrounds and we quickly developed a rapport that made discussion of the historical significance of Versailles natural and easy. For five hours we were immersed in 17th century French life, its significance culturally, economically, and artistically. Nat's knowledge of the building of Versailles and its gardens is impressive but tailored to our limited knowledge of the subject. We never felt left behind by his commentary and his description of the events of the period formed indelible memories that will last forever. Even though this tour was at the start of our Paris vacation, I know it will be a favorite activity among our other endeavors. Well done Nat and Paris to Versailles Private Tours! read more