See Versailles Palace Near Paris

The lavish Palace of Versailles with its magnificent Baroque formal gardens is one of the most popular day-trip destinations from Paris. Admission is expensive but discount and combination tickets offer some savings while the gardens are mostly free. Despite long opening hours, crowds often mean long queues to get into the palace.

Ever since Louis XIV, the Sun King, transformed the Château of Versailles into the most prestigious palace and most glamorous court in Europe, people have traveled to see the palace complex and its extensive, formal gardens. For the masses of the French Revolution, Versailles was a day walk from Paris and even now, over two hundred years on, most visitors are day-trippers from the French capital.

Practical Visitors’ Information for the Estate of Versailles

For tickets and opening hours, the Estate of Versailles can be divided into three distinct parts:

1. The Château or Main Palace (with State Apartments and the Hall of Mirrors);
2. The Jardin (Formal Gardens) and the Parc (Park) with the Grand Canal; and
3. The Domaine (Estate) of Marie Antoinette (Grand and Petit Trianon, Hamlet, and Farm).

The high season at Versailles is April to October and the low season November to March.

Opening Hours of the Palace of Versailles Park Complex near Paris

The Estate of Versailles is generally open year round with only the Château (Main Palace) closed on Mondays. Opening hours at Versailles are long but note that buildings sometimes close due to strikes or public events. Such closures are usually – but not always – announced a few days in advance.

• The Château is open from 9 am to 6:30 pm. Last admission is at 5 pm during the low season and 6 pm during the high season.
• The Gardens and Park are open from 8 am to around sunset with last admissions at 6 pm during the low season and 8:30 pm during the high season.
• The Estate of Marie Antoinette is open during the high season from noon to 7 pm (6 pm for buildings). During the low season, only the Grand Trianon and parts of the gardens are open (noon to 5 pm).

The best times to visit the château is early in the morning or late afternoon. Versailles is best avoided on Tuesdays, Sundays, and during school holidays.

Tickets for the Estate and Palace of Versailles near Paris

Passes generally offer the best value for money (and offer priority admission to the château) when visiting Versailles. Three passes are available:

1. The Passeport (Day Ticket) gives admission to all sights. It is €16 during the low season, €20 during weekdays and €25 on weekends during the high season.
2. The Paris Museum Pass gives admission to all sights except on high-season weekends to the gardens.
3. The Forfaits Loisirs Château de Versailles, which includes both admission to the sights as well as transportation to and from Paris on the RER train. This pass is priced according to the departure point and day of travel but generally very good value for money for day trips from Paris.

Admission prices to individual sights at the Palace of Versailles are:

• Château (Main Palace without priority access) - €15
• Estate of Marie Antoinette - €9 high season and €5 low season
• Gardens – generally free but €8 on weekend during the high season when the fountains are working.

Free admission and special discounts when visiting the Estate of Versailles:

• Children under 18 years old enjoy free admission to all sights at Versailles.
• Reductions in admission fees are available when entering the buildings only during the final two opening hours.

The Estate of Versailles – and above all the main palace – is probably the most popular day trip from Paris. Transportation from Paris to Versailles is fastest and easiest on the RER trains.

Palace of Versailles near Paris

Orangery at the Palace of Versailles near Paris

Estate of Marie Antoinette at Versailles

Panorama of the Main Façade of Versailles Palace

Chateau de Versailles – Main Palace

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