Visiting Versailles, it may sound fairly intimidating and likely a tad exhausting to visit one of the world’s biggest palaces. However, if your visit is well planned, with plenty of coffee breaks, spend a day wandering around the Château de Versailles and its magnificent gardens will not let you down. Read on to know how to make a day trip from Paris to Versailles! Read on to learn how to visit Versailles like a local! Also don’t forget to check our MyParisToday’s latest guide for the Top 8 restaurants in Versailles – What to eat in Versailles!
Château de Versailles was once the residence of the Sun King, Louis XIV. Not only is it an example of the height of French opulence but is also a concrete part of French history. The Palace of Versailles is magnificent and spectacular with its artistically-appealing interior furnishings and decor. There are more than 7,000 rooms in the palace and the entire area measures an expansive 51,000 square meters. Architecture-lovers will especially enjoy visiting the palace as Château de Versailles combines a variety of architectural styles from French classicism to Rococo to neoclassical architecture.
Lucky for travellers visiting Paris, this historic sight is just a short trip away from the French capital. As huge as the palace is, we believe that you wouldn’t need more than a day to tour the palace and its gardens. You can even do a quick half-day tour! Continue reading on for our complete guide to visiting Versailles from Paris!
Visiting Versailles Palace from Paris by train
1. Most convenient way: by RER train
The most convenient way to get to Versailles is to take the RER C line. The RER is an important part of the Parisian transport system that connects the city centre of Paris with the suburbs. The RER C line stops at Saint-Michel Notre-Dame, Musée D’Orsay, Invalides, and Champ des Mars – Tour Eiffel.
When buying tickets from a machine, remember to purchase a ticket to the destination Versailles Rive Gauche. Buying a return ticket to Paris would also be a great time-saving idea. Don’t forget that for destinations outside Paris like Versailles, you cannot use the regular T+ tickets.
Line RER C to Versailles
| Station: Château de Versailles Rive Gauche
| Round-trip ticket price: 7€
| Duration: about 40 minutes from Saint-Michel Notre-Dame station
| Check the train schedules here
Once you get off at Château de Versailles Rive Gauche, it will take about 10 minutes on foot to the Palace.
2. Long but scenic route: by Line L
If for any reason the RER C’s service has been halted (which occurs every so often), you can opt to take the L train. The L train is also a kind of suburban train that connects Paris center to neighboring suburbs. To take this option, you’ll have to board the train from the Paris Saint-Lazare station. You may also buy tickets from machines that have the “L” marked on it.
Line L to Versailles
| Station: Versailles Rive Droite
| One-way ticket price: 6€
| Duration: about 35 minutes from Gare Paris Saint-Lazare
| Check the schedules here
Château de Versailles is about a 20 minute walk from Versailles Rive Droite station. It is a bit longer but the walk is pleasant as you’ll get to see the town of Versailles.
3. Fastest way: by Line N
Taking the Transilien train Line N is a great option especially if you’re staying in the southern part of Paris. This suburban train, like Line L, also connects Paris to towns located just outside of the city. You’ll be departing from Gare Montparnasse which Paris’ hub station in the south. Simply buy tickets from any of the machines or from a ticket window.
Line L to Versailles
| Station: Versailles Chantiers
| Round-trip ticket price: 6€
| Duration: about 25 minutes from Gare Paris Montparnasse
| Check the schedules here
Château de Versailles is about a 20 minute walk from Versailles Chantiers station, similar to Versailles Rive Droite station.
Alternative ways from Paris to Versailles
1. Visiting Versailles from Paris by BUS:
A more comfortable, but more expensive option would be to travel from Paris to Château de Versailles by coach. Versailles Express offers direct access to the Palace of Versailles from the Eiffel Tower. Services are available from Tuesday to Sunday, with 2 trips per day from 8:00 am (12:00 pm return) and 2:00 pm (6:00 pm return). The only disadvantage would be the feeling of being rushed to see everything as fast as possible (which is sometimes impossible with the crowds) to catch your bus back to Paris.
Book your ticket at Versailles Express
From Eiffel Tower to Versailles
| Tuesday – Sunday
| 2 departures per day
Morning: 8AM ; Return at 12PM
Afternoon: 2PM ; Return at 6PM
2. Visiting Versailles from Paris by CAR:
If you prefer to travel at your own pace, perhaps renting a car and driving to Versailles yourself would be the best option for you. Take the A13 Motorway and take the exit for Versailles Centre. A car park is available at the Place D’Armes, Allée Bailly, Grand Trianon, and Petit Trianon.
By car to Versailles
| Distance: 30.2km
| Duration: about 39 minutes
When to visit Château de Versailles
Visiting Versailles Palace and Gardens are lovely throughout the year. While the Palace is more crowded during the summer months and weekends, during this time you will be able to enjoy the beautiful Grandes Eaux Fountain Show in the Gardens. Besides the Christmas period, in the winter months from November to March, Versailles tends to be quieter. Arriving in the morning or mid-afternoon throughout the year will mean that you should be able to avoid the busiest time between 11 am and 3 pm.
TIP: Because the Louvre is closed on Tuesdays, most of the tourists choose to visit Versailles on this day. Try to avoid planning a visit to Château de Versailles on Tuesdays.
Versailles’ Opening hours
Peak Season: 1 April – 31 October
Visiting Versailles Palace: 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM | Last admission at 6:00 PM | Closer every Mon & 1 May
Visiting Versailles Gardens: 7:00 AM – 8:30 PM | May close if the weather is bad
Trianon Palaces: 12:00 PM – 6:30 PM | Last admission at 6:00 PM | Closer every Mon & 1 May
Low Season: 1 April – 31 October
Visiting Versailles Palace: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM | Last admission at 5:00 PM | Closer every Mon, 12 Dec & 1 Jan
Visiting Versailles Gardens: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM | May close if the weather is bad
Trianon Palaces: 12:00 PM – 6:30 PM | Last admission at 5:00 PM | Closer every Mon, 12 Dec & 1 Jan
*Actual opening hours vary due to the weather condition, please check the Versailles’ official website for the latest information
Must-sees when visiting Versailles
While you should definitely visit the renowned Palace and gardens, at first you might want to bypass the primary palace and head straight to the private country village of Marie Antoinette where she was dressed as a maid and milked cows. Or you might want to explore the Petit Trianon and Trianon Palaces ‘ pared-down elegance. All of these are available through the palace at the door of Grille d’Honneur or through the door of the Queen or Saint-Antoine.
Tip: You can buy fast access tickets on Tiqets! Since Château de Versailles is one of the most popular attractions, sometimes the lines to enter can be at least 2 hours long.
Tips for Visiting Versailles
To really enjoy your tour of the Palace, make sure to grab a free audio guide for yourself. You can also download the free audioguide to save time. The audioguide is available for mobile phones and tablets in both iOs and Android. Click here to download.
The important thing to remember about Versailles is that you can visit the Palace within a few hours, but if you want to visit the extensive Gardens and the other domains on Versailles ‘ grounds, you will need to extend that timeframe. It’s worth taking your time to really explore the gardens and the other palaces discovered there.
Château de Versailles ticket information
There are a few different tickets to the Château and its grounds available for purchase. The all-inclusive ticket is called ‘Passport’. With the Passport, you can gain access to the Palace, the gardens, the park, the Trianon estate, the Coach Gallery, and the Musical Fountains Show or the Musical Gardens (only in summer months). The Palace Ticket only includes access to the palace, the gardens, the park, and the Coach Gallery. You can also just opt to see the Trianon estate (only available after noon) and buy the Estate of Trianon ticket.
Passport with timed entry: 27€
Fast access tickets without the Fountains show: 21.60€
Palace ticket: 18€
Estate of Trianon ticket: 12€
Click here to see all other available tickets
Free admissions applies to:
| Visitors under the age of 18 years old
| Visitors who are European Union residents under 26 years old
| disabled persons and the person accompanying them
