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Plan Your Visit to Palace of Versailles
- By RER: Take RER line C and get off at Versailles Château - Rive Gauche train station, which is only a 10-minute walk away from the Palace.
- By SNCF train: You may also opt for SNCF trains that run from Gare Montparnasse and arrive at the Versailles Chantiers train station (18 minutes walk away). SNCF train from Gare Saint Lazare to Versailles Rive Droite train station (17 minutes walk away) is also a good option.
- By Bus: Board RATP bus line 171 from Pont de Sèvres (terminus of Paris metro line 9) and enjoy a 30-minute ride to the Palace of Versailles.
Also Read: History of Palace Of Versailles
- Prams and buggies containing metal frames are not allowed inside the Palace and Trianon Museum. You may bring fabric baby carriers with no metal frames.
- Wheelchairs are allowed in all accessible areas of the Palace.
- Animals are not permitted at the Palace or the Trianon Museum. Pets on leashes, however, are allowed in the Park and Gardens.
- Food and beverages are forbidden within the Palace and the museum.
- The Palace and museum do not permit flash photography, selfie sticks, or tripods.
- Smoking and touching artworks in museum spaces are also prohibited.
- Visitors are explicitly forbidden from damaging or uprooting plants while exploring the Gardens.
- Bicycles are not allowed in the Gardens.
- Only drones used for professional purposes are permitted after getting official approval from the palace authorities.
- Visitors are not permitted to conduct surveys or research without prior written permission.
- The consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited on the Palace grounds.
- Inside the Palace, only transparent bottles with a volume of 0.5 liters are permitted.
- All sharp things, including umbrellas and cane sticks, must be left at security.
- Towels, suitcases, and luggage must be deposited at the security before entering the Palace. However, standard-size handbags are permitted.
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One would enjoy the tour even more with a thin crowd and soothing air, so plan your visit to Versailles accordingly. Although the Palace of Versailles is visited by tourists throughout the year, it is suggested that you consider the months of October and November as the weather is quite pleasant during these months. You can also be strategic to avoid the peak hours by reaching there in the morning right after the gates open, or sometime before the gates close. Make sure to have enough time to cover the entire area, it might take a few good hours to explore it entirely.
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Palace of Versailles
Palace of Versailles Opening Times
Different sections of the Palace have different timings of entry by rule, so it is important to be thoroughly informed about it -
- The Palace - The Palace of Versailles opens its gates from 9 in the morning till 6:30 in the evening except on Mondays and Labour Day.
- The Garden of the Palace of Versailles - This well-maintained garden opens its gates from 8 AM to 8:30 PM, but the last time to enter is 7 PM.
- The Sculptures and Mouldings Gallery - It remains open from 12:30 PM to 6:30 PM on weekends except from May 14th to July 13th when it is only accessible to visitors from Tuesday to Sunday.
- The Park - You can plan your visit to Versailles just to explore this grand Gardens of the Palace of Versailles. It is open to tourists from 7 AM to 8:30 PM and the last time to enter is 7:45 PM. There are four gates among which only Queen’s Gate and Saint Anthony’s Gate allow vehicle entry from 9 PM to 5:50 PM.
- The Gallery of Coaches - Versailles Gallery of Coaches opens at 12:30 PM and the closing time is 6:30 PM, with 5:45 PM being the last time of entry. It is accessible to visitors only on Saturdays and Sundays.
- The Estate of Trianon - Except Mondays and Labor Day, this place is open to visitors from 12:00 PM to 6:30 PM. Make sure to enter the premises by 6 PM as it is the last time of admission.
- The Estate of Marly - This place is open every day from 7 AM till 7:30 PM and the last time for admission is 7:15 PM.
Access to The Palace of Versailles
- Visitors enter the Palace of Versailles via the Main Courtyard.
- If you arrive without a ticket and are not qualified for free admission, go to the ticket office first. Then to Palace entrance A, which is reserved for individuals.
- If you have booked your ticket online and have brought a printout of the same, directly proceed to Palace entrance A with your ID card or entry ticket.
- If you are on a group tour, go to entrance B, which is called Pavillion Gabriel.
- If you only want to see the Estate of Trianon, go straight to the Grand or Petit Trianon entry gates.
- If you have booked a guided tour to the Palace of Versailles online, enter the Palace via the North Ministers’ Wing, which is located on the right side of the Main Courtyard.
- The palace entrance is wheelchair-accessible. There is a pedestrian path that connects the Main Gate to the Royal Gate and subsequently to Entry A.
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- The Trianon Estate is a 30-minute walk from the Palace. You can also use an electric car, which would take you 20 minutes to reach the Estate.
- If you are visiting the Versailles Estate of Trianon from the city side, you can park nearby and enter through any of the four park gates. While the Main Gate and Queen's Gate remain open until 8.30 PM, the Sailor's Gate and Saint Anthony's Gate close at 6.30 PM.
- To bring a vehicle to the premises, you will have to pay the parking fees and can enter the area via the Queen’s Gate or the Saint Anthony’s Gate. Vehicles are permitted to enter through the Queen's Gate between 9 AM and 4.50 PM. The Saint Anthony's Gate is only open on weekends from 9 AM to 5 PM.
- While the Estate of Trianon's gate is wheelchair accessible, disabled tourists can only access the Petit Trianon's garden level.
- You can access the Palace of Versailles Park any day of the week from three entrances to the city- the Queen’s Gate, the Saint Anthony's Gate, and the Sailors’ Gate.
- The Queen’s gate is the north-eastern entrance to the park located on Boulevard de la Reine. It is open for pedestrians and those on bicycles from 7 AM to 8.30 PM, and for vehicles, it remains open from 9 AM to 4.50 PM.
- The Saint Anthony Gate is the northern entrance of the park and is located near the Estate of Marie-Antoinette. It is open for pedestrians and bicycles from 6 AM to 7.30 PM. This gate also admits vehicles during the weekends and holidays from 9 AM to 5.50 PM.
- The Sailors’ Gate is the southern entrance to the park, where only pedestrians and bikes are allowed between 9.30 AM to 6 PM.
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- The Versailles gardens are only accessible by foot, the little train service, or a rented electric vehicle provided on-site. Other modes of transportation, including bicycles, are not permitted in the gardens.
- From the Palace, you can enter the Gardens via the Princes’ Courtyard.
- From the Park, you can enter the Gardens through the Main Gate, the Neptune Gate, or the Little Venice Gate. While the Neptune Gate is located on the northern side of the Gardens, the Little Venice and Menagerie Gates are on its western side.
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- Take Palace Entrance B to see the shows at the Palace of Versailles, the Royal Serenada, the Royal Chapel, or the Royal Opera House.
- If you have not booked the show tickets in advance, then also you need to use entrance B and get them on the spot.
Must Visit: Hall Of Mirrors of Palace of Versailles
- One of the best things to do in Versailles Palace is enjoy the several shows that take place on-site. To see the performances, you can either book a ticket online or get one from the ticket office located at Entrance B.
- The Coach Gallery is another fascinating attraction of the Versailles Palace. It can be found on the ground floor of the Great Stables and is accessible free of cost. However, it remains open only on Saturday and Sunday from 12.30 PM to 5.30 PM.
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Palace of Versailles Tickets Options
FAQs
How much time do you need to visit Versailles?
The Versailles Palace is a huge estate offering a large number of attractions. To explore its main Palace, the park, gardens, and other areas, you will need at least four hours.
Is Versailles worth visiting?
The Versailles Palace is an architectural beauty and is definitely worth a visit when in Paris. There are many things to do in Versailles Palace, such as admiring the amazing architecture of the place. You can explore the various fascinating sites located on the premises, such as the Hall of Mirrors, the Gardens, the Park, the Estate of Trianons, and so on. Throughout the visit, you will learn a lot about French history, the royal lifestyle, and French architecture.
What day is Versailles closed?
The Versailles Palace is closed every Monday and May 1 (Labor Day).
How far outside of Paris is Versailles?
The distance between Paris and Versailles is only nine miles. While you can reach Versailles from Paris via numerous ways, the most affordable option is boarding a train.
What is Versailles famous for?
Versailles is a small suburb located within a short distance from Paris. This town is renowned for being the home of the majestic Versailles Palace which served as the royal abode of French monarchs for many years. Every year millions of people visit this place to admire the architectural grandeur of the Palace and spend time in its lush green gardens with magnificent fountains.
Can you go inside the Palace of Versailles?
Yes, tourists are allowed to enter the Palace of Versailles and explore the estate, view art collections, watch shows, and enjoy other activities.
Is Versailles open in winter?
Yes, the Versailles Palace is open to visitors during the winter season.
What is the best day of the week to visit Versailles?
You can visit the Versailles Palace any day except Monday. It is preferable to visit it during the weekdays rather than the weekend as it is relatively less crowded.
What is the best way to visit Versailles?
The best way to visit the Versailles Palace is first, by booking your tickets online. This Palace is among the top tourist destinations in the world and attracts a lot of visitors every day. Besides, the estate is also huge and takes hours to explore fully. Instead of wasting valuable time standing in lines at the ticket desk, book your tickets online and save both time and money. In terms of transportation, the best method to go to Versailles from Paris is via rail.
Can you take pictures inside the Palace of Versailles?
Yes, you may click photographs in the Palace of Versailles, but flash photography, tripods, and selfie sticks are strictly prohibited.