Are you planning on taking a day trip from Paris to Versailles? For fans of history as well as Marie Antoinette (the movie), Versailles is something that must be included on your Paris bucket list. Read tips for the best month to visit Versailles, how to avoid the crowds at Versailles, and how to get to Versailles from Paris.
The crowds at Versailles can be quite aggravating, so this guide to Versailles will focus on practical Versailles travel tips as your information packet at Versailles will inform you about the history of the grounds. I’ve included information about how to skip the lines at Versailles.
Contents
- 0.1 The best month to visit Versailles
- 0.2 How to skip the lines at Versailles
- 0.3 What tickets to get for Versailles
- 0.4 Free tickets for Versailles
- 0.5 Travel tips for Versailles
- 0.6 The best time to visit Versailles
- 0.7 READ MORE The perfect day trip from Paris to Provins, a beautiful medieval town
- 0.8 How to get to Versailles from Paris
- 1 Have you been to Versailles?
The best month to visit Versailles
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- From the Trianon Estate
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- Grounds of Versailles
It’s best month to visit Versailles in the off season and to avoid the busy summer months, in particular July. Spring and fall certainly hold interest, however I felt that the beginning of November was a perfect time as you can enjoy the turning leaves in the gardens if you’re lucky enough. I absolutely loved visiting Versailles in early November where we could see the leaves turning. (Spot the cute fat cats on the grounds!)
Similarly, visiting Versailles during winter months and early spring (1 November to 31 March) means that you’ll get access to parts of Versailles that ordinally aren’t free, including the Musical Fountains Shows, Musical Gardens, and the Gallery of Coaches.
How to skip the lines at Versailles
You can buy your Versailles tickets online directly without any extra fees. Although you will need to come a bit early as security can take a bit, you can skip the line for tickets if you buy ahead! Similarly, if you buy the Paris Pass, you’ll get access to the palace as well as the estate of Marie-Antoinette (although not some other features). The Paris Paris allows you to skip the lines at Versailles, however you cannot skip the security line. I cover some tips for getting through security at Versailles quicker at the end. If you want to ensure that you can skip the line and get a tour, it’s possible to book in advance with external partners.
Although you can buy tickets outside of Versailles, you’ll generally pay more for the same ticket. I’ve heard people extolling the benefits of a private tour, however if you buy your ticket in advance, you also get to skip the ticket line.
Click to buy tickets direct for Versailles!
What tickets to get for Versailles
Many people skip the estate of Marie Antoinette, however that was one of the highlights of my visit. If you don’t have much time for Versailles, plan to get the Passport with timed entry, which guarantees your entry within a half hour of the entry time. It includes most of the major attractions, including the estate of Marie Antoinette, besides the days that the gardens will be closed for the Musical Gardens event. I missed this event, but I heard that it’s worthwhile. The normal passport is seven euros cheaper and includes access to the Musical Gardens event, however without the guarantee.
The stunning Petit Trianon
Some people only get access to the Palace [18 euros], however for only two euros more, you can get access to the Estate of Trianon. I’d recommend the combined tickets if you are planning to take a day trip to Versailles from Paris.
Note: on Tuesdays, the gardens will be closed to the public without a ticket to the Musical Gardens between specific days during March-May and July-October. Similarly, this event takes place on Fridays between April and October.
If you live close to Versailles, “A year in Versailles” card may be a worthwhile investment as it allows you to skip the line! Similarly, if you’re already visiting other museums in Paris, consider getting the Paris Pass, which includes both Versailles and Louvre.
Free tickets for Versailles
The estate of Marie-Antoinette at Versailles
Head to Chateau A if you think you qualify for free tickets to Versailles. Click for the full conditions of who gets into Versailles for free. Note: Anyone can get into Versailles for free on the first Sunday of the month between November and March.
You can get free tickets to Versailles if:
- EU residents under the age of 26.
- You’re bringing children under-18s
- Disabled people and their accompanying person
- Check the full list for more conditions!
Travel tips for Versailles
How to visit Versailles on a budget
If you happen to get free tickets to Versailles, you’re most of the way there. However, Versailles isn’t particularly cheap. The key is bringing your own food and drinks. That said, you cannot bring them into the palace itself. We managed to get an affordable lunch at the M&S in La Defense (where we transferred). Depending on where you’re coming from in Paris, I recommend buying a sandwich and a drink for later!
What to know about bringing food into Versailles & the Versailles bag policy
I recommend minimizing your bags as you cannot bring large bags and backpacks into Versailles palace. I managed to be allowed my larger purse, but I recommend minimizing your bags. Suitcases larger than carry-on size are not allowed at all. I recommend separating your food and drinks into one bag (that you bring from home) as this bag cannot be brought into the palace. You’ll find options for food at Versailles, however prices are closer to what you’d pay in Paris. There are inexpensive options outside of Versailles.
Bring some extra cash
You might be tired after walking around Versailles. When reading about how Marie Antoinette and other royalty would retreat within Versailles, I wondered how easily it was to get away from the palace. The grounds are sizable enough that her estate truly feels separate from the rest of Versailles. There’s a tram that runs around the grounds of Versailles, so it’s good to carry some cash (€4 for a single ride) if you get tired on the way back. Trust me, we were exhausted after our long walk around the grounds of Versailles. (The tram runs until a bit after 5pm).
The best time to visit Versailles
I recommend arriving close to opening hours at Versailles (9 am) to ensure that you can see Versailles with minimal crowds. Head straight for the palace and the Hall of Mirrors, which are best seen without the large tour groups that arrive later in the morning and in the late afternoon. As soon as you’re done, you’ll have enough time to walk towards the Estate of Marie Antoinette, which opens at noon. It’s lovely being able to explore it without anyone else around.
The park of Versailles actually opens up earlier (7-8am) if you’re interested in enjoying the grounds of Versailles without people. We ended up leaving in the early afternoon, which was when many of the tour groups had begun to arrive.
Avoid going to Versailles on a Tuesday as the rest of the museums in Paris are closed on Tuesdays, so expect massive crowds on these days! Similarly, the Musical Gardens events are held on Tuesdays during peak season, which means that you’ll need a more expensive ticket to access the gardens.
How to get to Versailles from Paris
It depends where in Paris that you’re staying in. You can take the RER C direct from Saint-Michel – Notre-Dame to Gare de Versailles Chantiers. Check for strikes as they’ll impact your journey from Paris to Versailles. Alternatively, you can take the N from Gare de Montparnasse towards Gare de Rambouillet until you get to Gare de Versailles Chantiers. From the station, it’s a twenty minute walk. Alternatively, you can take a tour if you want to take the guesswork out of it!
Have you been to Versailles?
Click for more travel tips in Paris, including a self-guided walking tour of the covering passages, a self-guided walking tour of Montmartre, and day trips from Paris.
Hello! Thank you for this great information. I will be traveling with my 16 year old daughter, and I wanted to double check that we would not need an admission ticket for her. Do we need to bring her passport to prove her age? We will be traveling from the US. Thanks so much!
Hi Tricia, no problem. You need a proof of an identity document with a photograph indicating date of birth (e.g.passport, long stay visa, residence permit, student card). You can check the Versailles website if you’re nervous about it. 🙂
Hello,
I will be visiting for a day from Paris. Do I need to bring my passport as I am from the United States, for once I get to the train station? Will there be a customs area? I’d rather not bring my passport with me for the day trip if I do not have to. If I do need it, does a copy of my passport suffice? Thanks.
Hi Rebeca,
Generally when you travel in a foreign country, you need your passport when you’re asked for identification by the police. I was not asked for it once besides when I flew to France at the airport, however it’s generally a good idea to have it. It’s your call of course.
Kind regards,
Karen
My family and I will be traveling to Versailles on August 15 because there will be a fountain show on that day. Will the crowds be unbearable because it is a French holiday, Assumption Day? Also, we are trying to figure out the timed entry ticket. Does the “timed entry” allow you into the entire compound at a given time slot or allow you into the palace itself during that time slot? On the palace website, you must commit to a time. If it is just the time you wish to enter the palace, we would sign up for a later time on our day (to give ourselves wiggle room in case we have any delay.) However, we do not want to go all the way there with a later time slot and have the gate keeper tell us that we cannot enter the compound until that later time slot. Also, I understand that foods would never be allowed into the palace (as it is a museum) but can we bring foods/drinks to enjoy as a picnic before entering the palace? Are there backpack lockers? Thanks for answering all my questions
I’d suggest signing up for a time later in the day to ensure you make it. Give enough time for security. The timed ticket only gives you access into the palace at the given time, but once you’re in, you’re fine.
You have to give your bags/food items to security (who stores it for you) before going into the palace. You can pick them up afterwards with the number. A picnic is fine in the gardens or outside, but I think that inside the gardens is nicer. 🙂
I’d expect it to be crowded on a French holiday.
When you are mentioning about backpacks being checked in, how big of a bag are you speaking about? What about one that is like a large purse? If I am going early in the day to avoid the crowds & I would like to take food along for a picnic later, what is your recommendation for storing it to avoid spoiling?
Hi Leanne,
In terms of backpacks, they ask all backpacks are checked. For purses, it must be smaller than these dimensions according to the website: 55cm x 35cm x 20cm. I saw some ladies with slightly large bags.
I’d recommend being mindful of what you bring. I ended up bringing a sandwich as it didn’t need to be heavily refrigerated.
Best,
Karen
Hi There!
I just wanted to clarify the food situation. I noticed another lady asked about the bags. So if you have a back back it will be checked in? Are you able to uncheck the bag and take your food and then picnic in the gardens?
Thanks again, I can’t wait to see it all
Hi Leigh, your backpack will need to be checked in while you see the actual castle. Once you’re finished, you can uncheck your bag with the food as you head out to the gardens. There, you can picnic.
Hope that helps!
Hello Karen, I am trying to figure out when I can purchase a passport ticket to Versailles with timed entry- I see it is an option but I can’t find where to purchase it. We are areiving after lunch and want to get a times entry of 1 or 2 pm. Any advice would be appreciated.
You can buy it on the official website.
We just returned with a group of 13 family including a five month old and three kids 9-14. I bought official tickets ahead of time but lines for tickets and security were almost non existent. We went in a Thursday in May around noon. Yes kids under 18 are free and don’t need any proof of age. We couldn’t bring the stroller through the palace. Of course the Kings and Queens chambers were busy but Marie Antoinettes Chateau which we reached by tram was almost free of tourists. The kids fell in love with her Hamlet they said they wanted to live there. We have been often and even if lines look long they have always moved quickly but with this large of group I wanted to avoid the ticket line. I think getting there around noon helped us avoid the lines.
Thank you, Madam !
“Oh let the skies thy worthy mirror be!
And in dear stars thy shape and image see…”
I was at Versailles this summer and can contest to July afternoons being insanely busy! BUT we ate at a cafe just across the street from the parking lot for very cheap! My roommate and I both had a cafe’, crepes, and a glass of wine for around 6 euros each.
Hi, great post and some very useful tips. I had a question about Paris Pass. If you have Paris Pass, do you need any timed ticket or are required to block a time slot on their website?
I did not use the Paris Pass myself when I went, but I understand that you get to skip the ticket line (except on days with the water fountain show) although you still need to wait in the security line.