Know Before You Go: Visiting Versailles

It’s no accident that Versailles is one of France’s most popular tourist attractions (to the tune of 15 million visitors each year). Among the world’s largest palaces, and containing thousands (yes, thousands) of rooms, Versailles is considered a masterpiece of 17th-century French Baroque architecture and is filled with uniquely ornate decor. Additionally, the area outside the palace walls—including ornamental gardens and gorgeous fountains—is almost as celebrated as interior features such as the Hall of Mirrors. Versailles’ pivotal role in French history also adds to its timeless appeal.

Did we mention that Versailles is big? The palace itself measures some 680,000 square feet (63,000 square meters), and its grounds cover 2,014 acres (815 hectares). As a result, any visit to Versailles will only give you time to cover a fraction of the entire domain. To make the most of your visit, let your interests dictate your itinerary. Want to focus your energies on the palace itself? Book a half-day tour, and you can see the highlights while still having time left over for unhurried travel there and back plus additional sightseeing in Paris. Prefer to really immerse yourself in the setting? Opt for a full-day bike and golf-cart tour, and you can explore the gardens and satellite palaces. Other tours combine sights, and some even include a gourmet lunch.

For a landmark with such a glitzy reputation, Versailles isn’t as expensive to visit as you might think. The palace offers a range of ticket packages and options: Its all-round “passport” ticket, which guarantees entry to the whole of the domain, costs less than €30, while tickets to the palace alone are under €20. For an even cheaper (and less-crowded) option, get tickets to the Estate of Trianon (which includes the Queen’s Hamlet, the Grand and Petit Trianon palaces, the park, and several galleries), for less than €15. Whichever ticket option you choose, be aware that special events, like seasonal equestrian and fountain shows, come with an extra fee. You can also book a guided tour that bundles the cost of the tickets into an overall fee. These options will help you avoid any additional admission logistics (including long lines) and are also a great option on days when regular tickets are sold out.

The best time to visit the always-popular Versailles is when the palace is least likely to be overrun with crowds. The site is busiest in the summer, especially on weekends and on Tuesdays (as Versailles is closed on Mondays). If you visit during the high season, aim to go on a Wednesday or Thursday and try to arrive early in the day. Versailles is less busy during the low season, but you’ll want to go when the weather is good if you want to take full advantage of the site’s sprawling gardens on an outdoor tour.

Insider tip: It’s worth timing your visit to see the palace’s seasonal fountain shows, which are held on select dates from April to September. Purchase tickets in advance and aim to go later in the season, to avoid the peak summer crowds, if you can.

While you can certainly book tickets and explore Versailles independently (or with the help of an audio guide, which are available for free as part of the palace’s mobile app), one of the best ways to navigate through the crowds and see the highlights is to explore on a guided tour. These help you learn as much as possible about the palace’s centuries of history and often let you skip lines. If you’re nervous about navigating public transportation to reach Versailles, you can even choose an option with round-trip transit from central Paris.

By car, Versailles is situated about 40 minutes from central Paris and can be reached by private rental vehicle. The palace is ringed by car parks, for which you'll be charged a small fee (disabled visitors are exempt from parking fees). If you'd prefer to use public transport, opt for the train. The closest Versailles train station is Versailles Château Rive Gauche, just a 10-minute walk from the palace, situated on Line C of the RER. You can depart from Paris stations including Champs de Mars, Invalides, and the Musée d'Orsay. Buses also run between Pont de Sèvres and the Palace of Versailles. Look for the number 171.

Of course, guided tours with round-trip transportation are also available and may be much less hassle than arriving to Versailles from Paris independently.

Tempting as it might be to dress à la Marie Antoinette to fit the palace’s regal theme, you don’t need to wear anything special for a Versailles visit. In fact, comfort is key: You’ll likely be in the palace (and on your feet) for hours exploring its spacious interiors or expansive gardens. If you do wish to indulge your taste for French fashion, dress like Parisians do and aim for minimalist chic. Due to the region’s maritime, somewhat unpredictable climate, it’s also wise to bring layers, including a light waterproof jacket.

Insider tip: You don’t need to don a pair of stilettos to look like a real Parisienne. Many French women rock casual-but-cool sneakers like low-top Converse and crisp white Nikes, both ideal choices for a day out at Versailles.

It’s only about 14 miles (22 kilometers) from central Paris to Versailles, so this countryside retreat is very accessible from the French capital. Whether you prefer to travel to Versailles by train or opt for a tour with private transit included, most journeys between the two take under an hour. That said, if you want to escape Paris’ hustle and bustle for a day or two, visiting Versailles is a good excuse for booking a short getaway. The town of Versailles itself is home to numerous accommodation options, ranging from a Waldorf Astoria located on the edge of the palace gardens to budget hotels and quaint bed and breakfasts.

Insider tip: If you plan to spend a night or two in Versailles, it’s worth taking a walking tour of the historic commune. You can explore historical neighborhoods like the Saint-Louis and Antiquarian districts; browse the souvenir shops and markets; and stroll down Paris Avenue, the widest avenue in France.

Happily, much of Versailles is accessible to disabled visitors. The palace’s priority entrance located at the Honour gate is accessible by pedestrian walkway, and once indoors, wheelchair users can reach every level of the palace by elevator. Unfortunately, some of the Trianon Estate, and many of Versailles’ gardens, are not easily accessible for visitors with reduced mobility, due to uneven surfaces. The most accessible entry point to the gardens is via the Queen’s Gate.

• Why is Versailles so important? Versailles was the home of French kings and the royal court for a significant historical period. It is particularly associated with the luxuries and excesses of Marie Antoinette, and the actions that helped fuel the French Revolution. The palace is also an extraordinary (and enormous) architectural feat and is surrounded by famously sprawling gardens designed by landscape architect André Le Nôtre. The entire place is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Did Marie Antoinette live at Versailles? Yes, Marie Antoinette lived at Versailles. She wed King Louis XVI there in 1770 and lived at the palace, among the French court, until 1789 when, amidst the opening forays of the French Revolution, the king and queen were forced to relocate to the Tuileries Palace in Paris.

• How much did Versailles cost? Begun by King Louis XIII, in 1631, Versailles remains one of the world’s most expensive building projects. The palace was expanded by Louis XIV to a tune of 100 million livres and underwent further renovation and expansion under Louis XV and Louis XVI. It’s estimated that, in contemporary terms, Versailles cost between $200–300 billion in total to construct.

• Why wasn’t Versailles destroyed? The royal family departed Versailles in 1789, during the beginnings of the French Revolution, and the palace was made a public establishment in 1793. Though some called for its destruction, Versailles and other palaces like it were ultimately recast as venues “for the pleasure and enjoyment of the people and to serve as useful establishments for agriculture and the arts.”