Things to do in Palace of Versailles
A historical monument and UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Palace of Versailles was the principal royal residence of France from 1682. Today, Versailles is home to wonders: the Hall of Mirrors, the grand royal apartments, beautiful gardens and some incredible collections of art, furniture, chandeliers and architecture.
Within the main palace, The Hall of Mirrors is the largest and certainly the best known of the 700 rooms at the Château de Versailles. The large mirrors face the windows, creating a spectacular reflection of the gardens opposite. Their creation is exceptional in more ways than one. Mirrors were then fantastically difficult to make – and hugely expensive. In fact, France had to persuade skilled Venetian mirror makers to teach them the secrets.
The hall has 357 mirrors, filling a space 73m (220ft) long. The Grande Galerie, as it was called in the 17th century, was used daily as a place of passage, waiting room and meeting place to impress visitors such as ambassadors and foreign leaders. Queen Marie-Antoinette celebrated her wedding here and some historic agreements were signed here, such as the Proclamation of the German Empire and the Treaty of Versailles.
In 2007, a three-year comprehensive renovation of the hall was completed, replacing 48 broken or cloudy mirrors with old mirrors from the French Senate. Others had been replaced in the nineteenth century, but around 60 per cent of the mirrors we see today are originals.
To gain some brief respite from courtly etiquette, the kings of Versailles built themselves more intimate spaces close to the main palace. Visit The Grand Trianon, a small palace built of pink marble renowned for its geometric gardens and unique décor. Marie-Antoinette’s Estate was built especially for the queen, who liked to get away from the grandeur of the palace for a simpler, more rural ambience. The estate consists of the Petit Trianon, where she lived, the hamlet, and the queen’s personal gardens. This is a palace within the palace of Versailles and a real treat.
The famous Gardens of Versailles are an attraction in their own right and took over 40 years to create, involving regiments of soldiers to move earth and create landscapes. Statues and fountains decorate the gardens and are the focus of night-time light shows during the summer months.
Versailles opening times:
April 1 to October 31
Palace: Every day except Monday, from 9am – 6.30pm
Gardens: Every day: 8am – 8:30pm
From 1 November to 31 March
Palace: Every day except Monday, from 9am – 5.30pm
Gardens: Every day: 8am – 6pm
Address
Château de Versailles , Place d'Armes - 78000 Versailles
Getting there
By train:
SNCF Trains
Depart Paris Montparnasse, arrive at Versailles Chantiers
Depart Paris Saint Lazare, arrive Versailles Rive Droite
RER C
Versailles Château Rive Gauche station (buy a pass for Navigo, Mobilis or Paris Visit, including zones 1-4 from Paris). T+ ticket is not valid
RER C line is closed 16 July-27 August between Paris Austerlitz and Javel Reach Javel by Metro
By Metro:
Line 10 from Paris Austerlitz and Saint-Michel Notre Dame (station: Cluny – La Sorbonne)
By car:
A13 motorway, exit at Versailles Centre. Paid parking at the Place d’Armes, Allée de Bailly, Grand Trianon and Petit Trianon
Our recommendations in Palace of Versailles
Palace of Versailles tickets with audio tour on mobile app
Explore the Palace of Versailles at your own pace with this audio-guided tour available on your smartphone including entrance tickets!
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Versailles with audio guide and Paris transfer
Experience the royal Palace of Versailles with an audio-guided commentary and air-conditioned transfer to and from Paris. A great day out!
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Versailles Palace and Gardens tickets with audio tour on mobile app
Visit the Palace of Versailles and Gardens at your own pace with this audio-guided tour available on your smartphone!
en
Bike tour of Versailles Palace with skip-the-line tickets
Buy your Versailles Bike Tour with Musement with our price match guarantee and secure booking. Get informed, plan and book your amazing activities in Paris.
en
Palace of Versailles tickets with audio tour on mobile app
Explore the Palace of Versailles at your own pace with this audio-guided tour available on your smartphone including entrance tickets!
en
Versailles with audio guide and Paris transfer
Experience the royal Palace of Versailles with an audio-guided commentary and air-conditioned transfer to and from Paris. A great day out!
en, it, fr, es, de, +4 pt, ru, ja, pl
Versailles Palace and Gardens tickets with audio tour on mobile app
Visit the Palace of Versailles and Gardens at your own pace with this audio-guided tour available on your smartphone!
en
Bike tour of Versailles Palace with skip-the-line tickets
Buy your Versailles Bike Tour with Musement with our price match guarantee and secure booking. Get informed, plan and book your amazing activities in Paris.
en
Morning tour of Versailles Palace and Gardens
Skip the line for an early morning tour of the Palace of Versailles and its gardens! You'll visit the Hall of Mirrors, the King's Grand Apartments, explore the gardens at your own pace...
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Half-day self-guided trip in Versailles with transportation and skip-the-line access
Book this excursion to Versailles Palace including round-trip transportation from Paris, skip-the-line access and audioguide!
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Versailles full day with audioguide and transfer
Get all the best information for your visit of Versailles with audioguide full day tour and book your tickets, skipping the line, at official rates. Get informed, plan and book your tour around Paris.
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Palace of Versailles and the Trianon with transportation from Paris
Enjoy express access to the Versailles palace and benefit from the expert commentary of a professional guide.
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Small-Group Paris to Versailles Day Trip with Garden Stroll
Book a last-entry tour of Versailles with fountain show or musical garden show! Sit back and relax with round-trip train transportation to and from Paris.
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Visit Monet’s Giverny and Versailles in one day
Book a full-day trip that combines the visit of Claude Monet's bloom-bursting estate at Giverny and the famously extravagant Palace of Versailles.
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Go City | Paris All-Inclusive Pass
With the Go City® All-Inclusive Paris Pass enjoy access to many sites, art galleries and monuments, hop-on hop-off bus and sightseeing tours.
Versailles and Giverny in a day from Paris
Book your guided tour of Palace of Versailles and Monet's home in Giverny. Skip the long lines at the entrance of the castle and explore the beautiful gardens of Monet.
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How to get there
Palace of Versailles
Paris
France
Reviews Palace of Versailles
“My trip to Versailles was everything I imagined and more! Thank you!”
“Very enjoyable day our guide Carlos was very informative. Had a delicious meal at the Trianon restaurant and enjoyed walking round both the Grand and Petit Trianon. Versailles palace was amazing . Finding the City Tours office was very easy. All together a good experience.”