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Bucket list experience:

Last updated: 02 March, 2023
Expert travel writer: Anna Brooke

The vast, opulent Chateaux de Versailles began life as a hunting lodge, built in 1623 for King Louis XIII, before being expanded and developed over a period of fifty years by King Louis XIV. In 1682, he moved the royal household from Paris to the palace, making Versaille the de facto capital of France.

It remains a brilliantly over-the-top ode to the power of Louis XIV, with lavish Baroque rooms and sparkling mirrors lining the heavily-gilded Galerie des Glaces.

The opulent interiors are the main event, but a splendid park and gardens have plenty to keep visitors busy, too – with two further (Grand and Petit Trianon) palaces, a sheep farm, a Grand Canal and Marie Antoinette’s private hameau (hamlet or mini-village).

Don’t miss 

Louis XIV’s Grand Apartments, Chamber and Hall of Mirrors – there are seven rooms in the ‘Sun King’s’ former private apartments, all astonishingly opulent.  Look out for the two platforms next to the billiard table in the Salon de Diane – two ladies would stand while he played, applauding every shot.

L’Opera Royal – built to celebrate the marriage of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, when completed it was Europe’s largest theatre, constructed entirely from wood.

Le Petit Trianon – separate from the main chateau, this Greek-style building was Marie Antoinette’s hideaway, famed for its grand staircase and beautiful marble-floored hall.

Recommended itineraries by our writers that include this experience

Price from: £18
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 13+
When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

The easiest way to reach Versailles from Paris is by the RER line C to Versailles Rive-Gauche, followed by a five-minute walk. A taxi from the centre of Paris should take approximately 45 minutes.

A half a day is usually sufficient, but you’ll need a whole day if you want to visit the secondary palaces, too. Tickets must be booked online in advance. You can’t just turn up. Free audio guides are available, but better to download the free app before you go to avoid queuing at the audio guide desk.

Guided tours (usually 1-2 hours) are also available but must be booked online in advance. See the website for listings of what tours are available on the date you want to go.

There’s a café inside the château, as well as several cafés and ice-cream stalls around the grounds; in summer the best option is to pack a picnic.

The easiest way to reach Versailles from Paris is by the RER line C to Versailles Rive-Gauche, followed by a five-minute walk. A taxi from the centre of Paris should take approximately 45 minutes.

When to do it

The palace is are open all year round, Tuesday to Sunday. Closed on Monday. The gardens and park area open every day. It’s always crowded, so get there at opening time to avoid the worst of the crowds.

You could also time your visit for one of the Musical Gardens (weekdays) or the Musical Fountains (weekends) shows in the gardens.

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Versailles Palace Skip-the-line Classic Guided Tour

Versailles Palace Skip-the-line Classic Guided Tour

Versailles

Discover the Palace of Versailles and skip the long lines at the entrance with this 90-minute guided tour. Choose the time that better suits...

€55 | Rating 4.47 / 5 [892 ratings]

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Tour supplied by:

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 Versailles Palace Skip the Line Small Group Guided Tour

Versailles Palace Skip the Line Small Group Guided Tour

Versailles

Meet your guide in Versailles at the foot of the Equestrian Statue of the Sun King, Louis the 14th. After been welcome by your guide you wil...

€60 | Rating 4.48 / 5 [52 ratings]

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Tour supplied by:

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Golden Versailles Palace and Garden Tour

Golden Versailles Palace and Garden Tour

Paris

Skip the hassle of planning and join us on a day trip from Paris to the Palace of Versailles. We handle the round-trip train tickets, skip t...

€90 | Rating 4.47 / 5 [63 ratings]

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Tour supplied by:

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Versailles Palace and Gardens Tour by Train from Paris with Skip-the-Line

Versailles Palace and Gardens Tour by Train from Paris with Skip-the-Line

Paris

Join this half-day tour to the prestigious Palace of Versailles and Gardens. Walk in the footsteps of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. S...

€91 | Rating 4.65 / 5 [102 ratings]

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Tour supplied by:

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Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first

Hotel Saint James Paris

Paris, Ile-de-France, France[13.8 miles]

Live out your country house fantasies at this delightfully eccentric, handsomely revamped chateau hotel in a smart western suburb of the city.

Official star rating:

Shangri-La Paris

Paris, Ile-de-France, France[14.3 miles]

Experience a truly imperial lifestyle in the former residence of Prince Roland Bonaparte (Napoleon’s great nephew), with unbeatable views of the Eiffel Tower.

Official star rating:

Hotel du Champ de Mars

Paris, Ile-de-France, France[14.8 miles]

Bargain prices and boutique style at this family-run hotel near the Eiffel Tower. One of city’s most popular affordable hotels.

Official star rating:

Hotel Le Royal Monceau Raffles

Paris, Ile-de-France, France[15.3 miles]

Soak up the buzz at design legend Philippe Starck’s gloriously decadent take on a grand palace hotel – in a very convenient location for seeing the sights.

Official star rating:

Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Paris

Ile-de-France, France

Crammed with iconic buildings, world-class art and a culinary scene steeped in history, Paris is one of the world’s great capitals, overflowing with style, romance, and art de vivre. 

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Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first

Marmottan-Monet Museum

Paris, Ile-de-France, France[12.3 miles]

The world’s largest collection of Monet’s paintings, displayed in a grand 19th-century mansion – including his world-famous ‘water lily’ canvases.

Best for ages: 13+ | £10

Rodin Museum

Paris, Ile-de-France, France[14.1 miles]

This exceptional collection of works by one of the world’s most famous sculptor, is presented in his former home and gardens in Paris.

Best for ages: 13+ | £10

Eiffel Tower

Paris, Ile-de-France, United Kingdom (UK)[14.1 miles]

Gustave Eiffel’s eccentric, iron-clad tower built as a temporary exhibit for the World Fair in 1889, has views all over the city and has become iconic symbol of Paris.

Best for ages: 4+ | £23

Quai Branly Museum

Paris, Ile-de-France, France[14.4 miles]

Fascinating primal art and indigenous artefacts from all over the globe, theatrically presented in Jean Nouvel’s striking modern building. 

Best for ages: 13+ | £10

Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..

Louis Vuitton Foundation

Paris, Ile-de-France, France[13.2 miles]

One of Paris’ main museums for Contemporary & Historical art exhibitions, set in a stunning avant-garde silver and glass structure designed by Frank Gehry.

Best for ages: 18+ | £16

Jules Verne Restaurant

Paris, Ile-de-France, France[14.1 miles]

World-class food and unrivalled Paris views at Michelin-starred Frederic Anton’s daring restaurant on the Eiffel Tower’s second level.

Best for ages: 12+ | £120

view of undeground cellar with two pillars and a wall of skulls
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Paris Catacombs

Paris, Ile-de-France, France[15.8 miles]

These eerie bone-lined passages, set in a former quarry 20m underground, contain the remains of several million Parisians. The residents – including many victims of the notorious guillotine – were buried here when existing cemeteries overflowed during the French Revolution.

Best for ages: 13+ | £23

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internal view showing extraordinary stained glass windows
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Sainte-Chapelle

Paris, Ile-de-France, France[17.4 miles]

Paris’ most exquisite Gothic monument was built by Louis IX in 1248 to house his collection of Passion relics, including Christ’s Crown of Thorns (now at Notre-Dame Cathedral). It has one of the most extensive 13th-century stained-glass collections anywhere in the world.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free

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Round-ups that include this experience

101 World’s greatest historic buildings

Multiple countries

The great civilisations of the past have left a legacy of constructions that still stand out and inspire. Built without the wonders of 20th-century technology, many are also monumental feats of engineering; others offer such grace and beauty, that they’ll literally take your breath away.

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