Many visitors leave Versailles without ever stepping foot on the estate of Marie-Antoinette, even though it provides a tranquil escape from the crowds of the palace proper and offers rare insight into the life and times of the French Royals. Some in-depth Versailles tours cover her estate and gardens in the itinerary. Repeat visitors might opt instead for an afternoon tour of Petit Trianon and the Queen’s Hamlet.
The estate is about a 25-minute walk or 15-minute Little Train ride from the main palace and gardens. It’s also accessible via its own entrance near the Grille de la Reine. Local TRI buses stop nearby at Versailles Château Rive Gauche, Versailles Chantiers, and Versailles Rive Droite stations.
The Estate of Trianon, which includes the Marie-Antoinette Estate, is open in the afternoon between Tuesday and Sunday. It’s most convenient to visit after a morning tour of the main palace.
Versailles packs a big punch when it comes to things to see and do, so much so that many visitors miss out on hidden gems. The Royal Opera of Versailles, inside the main palace, hosts ballet, orchestra, and opera performances throughout the year. The city’s Notre Dame market is an excellent place to go to pick up items for a picnic lunch, including brioche and charcuterie. The old stable building now houses the Gallery of Carriages, a museum of ornate coaches once used by Marie Antoinette.
