Why visit
Versailles is the definitive royal day trip from Paris. The palace's gilded state rooms and mirrored galleries tell the story of the French monarchy, while the vast formal gardens, fountains and Marie-Antoinette's estate make the grounds a destination in their own right.
Top things to see
- The Hall of Mirrors and the King's State Apartments
- The formal gardens designed by André Le Nôtre
- The Grand Trianon and Petit Trianon
- The Queen's Hamlet, Marie-Antoinette's rustic retreat
- The Grand Canal, best seen by rowing boat or bicycle
Suggested one-day plan
Travel out early and enter the palace at opening time to see the State Apartments and Hall of Mirrors before the crowds build.
Break for lunch in the gardens or in Versailles town, a few minutes from the estate gates.
Explore the gardens, then continue to the Trianon palaces and the Queen's Hamlet on foot, by bike or on the little train.
Return to central Paris in time for dinner.
RER C trains run from central Paris to Versailles Château–Rive Gauche in around 35–45 minutes, leaving a walk of roughly 10 minutes to the palace gates. SNCF trains from Paris Montparnasse and Saint-Lazare serve Versailles Chantiers and Rive Droite, both a 15–20 minute walk from the estate.
A full day (7–9 hours) to cover the palace and the wider estate without rushing.
- Book a timed palace entry online — queues are long, even with a pass.
- The estate is enormous; comfortable shoes matter more than you expect.
- Musical fountain shows run on selected days and carry a separate garden ticket.
- The palace is closed on Mondays.