How much time to budget for Versailles?

To make the most of your visit at Versailles, plan to spend a full day in the estate. Read our advices to better organize your visit.

How much time is required for the Palace of Versailles?

The Palace

You'll need around an hour and a half for your visit. If you are early, enjoy a coffee at Ore or wander in the bookshop librairie des Prince while waiting for your visit to start.

Can you visit Versailles in a day?

The combined palace and gardens cover a huge area, so I would highly recommend putting aside a full day to visit Versailles. If you won't have an entire day to spare, then it might be worth booking a guided half-day tour from Paris to see the best of Versailles in a short timeframe.

Is it better to go to Versailles in the morning or afternoon?

Arriving early in the morning can help you beat the crowds and give you more space to explore. If you're visiting Versailles in summer, a morning visit also helps you beat some of the heat.

How long do you wait in line at Versailles?

How Long is the Line at Versailles? The ticket office line at Versailles can take anywhere between 30 minutes and 2 hours. Afterward, you will need to again wait in line at the main palace entrance, followed by the security check, which can collectively take another 1-3 hours.

Tips for Your First Visit to Versailles

Is 4 hours enough for Versailles?

Anyway, this is the average time you will need to visit each of its attractions: Palace of Versailles: between 1 hour and a half and 2 hours. Stroll through the Gardens of Versailles: 2 hours. Visit to the Grand Trianon, Petit Trianon and Queen's Village: 1 hour.

What days to avoid Versailles?

"When deciding where to plug in Versailles, remember that the main palace is closed on Mondays and especially crowded on Sundays and Tuesdays — try to avoid these days." The palace opens six days a week, giving more space for tourists than just the days bookending Monday.

Can I bring a backpack to Versailles?

bags and luggage

Visitors are requested not to visit the Palace with bags or suitcases. Large bags and suitcases are prohibited. No bags larger than the maximum size (55cm x 35cm x 20cm) will be admitted, and all bags must be checked and left at the left luggage desk.

Is it hot inside Versailles?

In hot weather, it's advisable to adapt your route to ensure comfort and safety. Here are a few practical tips to help you make the most of your visit while protecting yourself from the effects of the heat. Please note that there is no air conditioning inside the Palace, the Grand Trianon and the Petit Trianon.

Is half a day enough for Versailles?

Within half a day, you will have the opportunity of discovering all the richness of the castle, visiting the Hall of Mirrors and the royal apartments inside, but also the famous French style gardens.

Which day is Versailles free?

What is the price? From the end of March to the end of October: The gardens are free only on Mondays. From early November to the end of March: The gardens are free every day.

What time is the musical Fountain show at Versailles?

On Musical Fountain Show days, the water features are in operation from 11.00 am to 12.00 and then again from 3.30 to 5.00 pm. This is also a good time to discover the magnificent groves, which are opened specially and feature musical displays between 10.00 am and 7.00 pm.

Which Versailles ticket to buy?

Can I go to Versailles without a reservation?

Without reservation, groups can acces the Palace and the main circuits: the State Appartement, the Hall of Mirrors, Mesdames' Apartments and the temporary exhibitions. For your comfort during the visit, we recommend to book a self-guided tour, which gives you a time slot for direct access to the Palace.

Can you eat at Versailles?

The Grand Café d'Orléans welcomes you to its adjoining series of lounges, decorated in a contemporary style. All visitors can enjoy fast food, sandwiches and desserts in the cafeteria to eat in or take away without needing to book. The restaurant also offers French cuisine for groups (booking required).

What are the peak hours for Versailles Palace?

Peak times and season

Here are some handy tips to avoid long wait times. As a rule of thumb, it is not recommended that you visit Versailles between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. without a skip-the-line ticket. Naturally, the off season (November to March) is generally when wait times are the shortest.

Are there no bathrooms in Versailles?

Toilets are also available in the South Ministers' Wing. In the gardens, there are toilets at your disposal next to the Dauphin's Grove, next to the Girandole Grove and in the Park at Little Venice. At the palaces of Trianon, there are toilets and changing tables outside the Grand Trianon in the Park.

Is Versailles bigger than Buckingham Palace?

What's bigger; Buckingham Palace or Versailles? Buckingham Palace is bigger, boasting 77,000m². Versailles has just over 63,000m², however the domain of Versailles extends far beyond the palace walls.

Is there a dress code for Versailles?

There is no strict dress code, but it is recommended to dress modestly and comfortably, considering the historical and cultural significance of the site. Yes, photography is permitted inside the Palace of Versailles, except in some designated areas where photography may be restricted.

Do you need to bring your passport to Versailles?

To make the most of the Estate of Versailles, the Gardens are open from 8 a.m, the Estate of Trianon from 12 p.m, the Gallery of Coaches and The Royal Tennis Court at 12:30 p.m. Only the Passport ticket allows access to the entire Estate of Versailles (Palace, Estate of Trianon and all of the gardens).

Can you bring a water bottle into Versaille?

food and drinks are not allowed inside the museum; picnics are not allowed in the gardens. However, it is possible to have a picnic in the park.

How much is an Uber from Paris to Versailles?

Uber: Request an Uber ride from Paris to Versailles. The journey takes 38 minutes, covering 21 kilometers, with a price of €32.

Are the gardens at Versailles free?

Essential information about opening times and access

Access to the Gardens is free except on days of fountains shows and musical gardens. There are three train stations in Versailles : Versailles Château Rive Gauche station, Versailles Rive Droite station and the Chantiers station.

How to plan a day in Versailles?

Is Versailles strict about time slots?

Visitors to the Palace must book in advance and select a specific time slot. We highly recommend that visitors pre-book their tickets online. Once you have booked your ticket online and printed it, go directly with your ticket to Entrance A of the Palace.