Plan Your Visit to the Palace of Versailles
Everything you need to know before you go — opening hours, the best time to visit, how to reach Versailles from Paris, entrances, accessibility, parking, restaurants, and practical tips for a smooth and memorable visit.
Take the RER C train from central Paris to Versailles Château – Rive Gauche (35–40 min, ~€4.30). A 10-minute flat walk reaches the palace gates.
Palace open Tue–Sun, 9 am–6:30 pm (Apr–Oct) and 9 am–5:30 pm (Nov–Mar). Closed every Monday, 1 May, 25 Dec, and 1 Jan.
Arrive by 8:45 am and head straight to the Hall of Mirrors. Wednesday and Thursday mornings are the quietest days of the week.
Enter at Entrance A (standard) or Entrance B (guided tours). Book your timed slot in advance — walk-up queues can reach 90 minutes.
Essential Planning Guides
The most practical information visitors need first — times, transport, and what to expect at the gates.
Palace of Versailles Opening Hours
Seasonal opening and closing times for the palace, gardens, and Trianon Estate, plus which sections close early and what to know about last-entry times.
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Best Time to Visit Versailles
Month-by-month crowd calendar, the best days of the week, optimal time slots, and why early morning arrivals transform the Hall of Mirrors experience.
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How to Reach the Palace of Versailles
RER C train step-by-step, SNCF Line N from Montparnasse, bus, taxi, Uber, and driving options — with journey times and costs for each.
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Palace of Versailles Entrances
Which entrance to use with your ticket, where Entrance B is for guided tours, accessibility entrance H, and how to avoid the longest queues.
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Tips for Visiting the Palace of Versailles
Insider advice on timing, crowd avoidance, the bag size rule, what to download before you arrive, and small details that make a real difference.
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Palace of Versailles Visitor FAQs
Fast answers to the most common Versailles questions — tickets, free entry, dress code, photography, bags, strollers, dogs, and more.
Read guide →Before You Go
What to wear, where to park, how to navigate the estate, and everything to prepare in advance.
What to Wear at Versailles
A seasonal packing guide covering footwear (the most important decision), bag size rules, what not to bring, and a quick checklist for summer, spring/autumn, and winter visits.
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Accessibility at the Palace of Versailles
Entrance H, free wheelchair loan, facilities for visual and hearing impairments, accessible parking, the Little Train for the Trianon Estate, and practical tips for every need.
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Map of the Palace of Versailles
Understand the layout of the entire 800-hectare estate — palace, gardens, park, Trianon Estate, entry points, hire locations, and how far everything is from the main entrance.
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Parking at the Palace of Versailles
Place d’Armes car park (main option, €12/day), nearby paid and free alternatives, Blue Badge holders, coach parking, and whether driving makes sense vs the RER.
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Palace of Versailles Official Website Guide
How to buy tickets on en.chateauversailles.fr, when tickets are released, what to do when sold out, and how the official site compares to authorized third-party platforms.
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Amenities at the Palace of Versailles
Free luggage lockers, toilets and baby changing, free water points, mobile charging stations, free WiFi, lost and found, shops, and smoking areas — locations across the estate.
Read guide →Planning for Your Situation
Tailored guides for different types of visitors and travel styles.
Versailles Day Trip from Paris
Complete planning guide for the most popular day trip from Paris — transport options, which ticket to buy, a full timed itinerary from 7 am to 6 pm, and how long you actually need.
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Visiting Versailles with Kids
Children under 18 enter free. Stroller rules (not inside the palace), the children’s audio guide, the Grand Canal rowing boats, Marie Antoinette’s Hamlet, and a full family itinerary.
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Versailles in Winter: Is It Worth It?
An honest guide to visiting November–March — what’s open, what’s closed, the free Sunday advantage, why the Hall of Mirrors without crowds is the best version of Versailles, and month-by-month expectations.
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Versailles Free Entry: Who Qualifies & When
Free on the first Sunday of each month (Nov–Mar). Also free year-round for under-18s, EU residents under 26, and visitors with disabilities. How to book your free timed slot in advance.
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Where to Stay Near Versailles
Staying in Versailles town gives you the 9 am arrival advantage before day-trip crowds arrive from Paris. Best areas, hotel price ranges from €90/night, and when it makes more sense than staying in Paris.
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Versailles vs the Louvre: Which Should You Visit?
An honest side-by-side comparison covering cost, time needed, crowds, what you actually see, and who each suits best. Plus how to fit both into a Paris trip without rushing either.
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History, food, events, and everything else to know about the Palace of Versailles estate.
How to Visit Versailles in a Day
A timed itinerary for a complete one-day visit — palace, gardens, Trianon Estate, and Marie Antoinette’s Hamlet — with options for different priorities and travel styles.
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Restaurants & Cafés at Versailles
All five on-site dining options: Angelina (hot chocolate, pastries), La Flottille (French cuisine by the Grand Canal), La Petite Venise, Ore by Ducasse (fine dining), and Brasserie de la Girandole. Prices and locations included.
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Versailles Events 2026
Full 2026 calendar: Musical Fountains Show schedule, Night Fountains Show dates, the Harry Potter special on 29 August, Royal Serenade concerts, and the US Independence 250th anniversary event.
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Harry Potter at Versailles 2026
The ‘Return to Hogwarts’ 25th anniversary event has two separate parts: a free daytime event (registration required) and a paid evening Night Fountains Show. Many visitors confuse them — here’s exactly how each works.
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History of the Palace of Versailles
From Louis XIII’s hunting lodge in 1623 to UNESCO World Heritage Site — a complete timeline covering Louis XIV, Marie Antoinette, the French Revolution, the Treaty of Versailles, and the palace today.
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20 Fascinating Facts About Versailles
The Venetian mirror-maker assassinations, fountains that only ran when the king walked past, silver chamber pots melted for war funds, and 17 more stories you won’t find in the audio guide.
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Attractions Near the Palace of Versailles
The Notre-Dame Market (13-min walk), Musée Lambinet, Domaine de Madame Élisabeth, Aqueduc de Buc, and the Arboretum de Chèvreloup — the best things to do in Versailles town itself.
Read guide →Practical Information
Quick-reference guidance for scheduling, pacing, and general comfort during your visit.
Suggested visiting rhythm
Versailles is large — allow far more time than you think you need. Here is a realistic time guide based on your scope.
- Palace only (2–3 hrs): Hall of Mirrors, State Apartments, Royal Chapel — the core palace route
- Palace + gardens (4–5 hrs): add the main garden axis, key fountains, and one or two groves
- Full estate (6–7 hrs): palace + gardens + Trianon Estate + Marie Antoinette’s Hamlet via Little Train
- Photography visit: arrive before 9 am for the Hall of Mirrors; return at golden hour for the Grand Canal and Apollo Fountain
Helpful things to know in advance
Practical details that help the day go smoothly, especially for first-time visitors to Versailles.
- Wear comfortable, broken-in shoes — expect 8–12 km of walking on cobblestones, gravel, and marble
- Check the packing guide — bags over 55×35×20 cm are not permitted inside the palace
- Download the official Versailles app and cache the audio guide before arriving — WiFi inside is unreliable
- Review the entrance guide — Entrance B is for guided tours only
- Save the estate map on your phone before setting off
- Picnics are allowed at Swiss Ornamental Lake and Saint Antoine Plain in the Park — not in the formal gardens
Visitor tips worth keeping in mind
Small details that experienced Versailles visitors wish they had known before their first visit.
- Arrive by 8:45 am — being first in the Hall of Mirrors at 9 am is one of the great travel experiences in France
- The Trianon Estate opens at 12 pm on weekdays and 9 am on weekends — plan accordingly
- The audio guide is free with your ticket — collect from the Dufour Pavilion, return at the Gabriel Pavilion
- Flash, tripods, and selfie sticks are banned inside the palace
- Dogs are permitted in the Park (on a lead) but not in the formal gardens or palace
- Never buy the Palace-Only ticket (€21) — the €11 saving is not worth missing the Trianon Estate
Cancellations & booking policy
Understand the terms before you buy to avoid surprises on the day.
- Official website tickets (en.chateauversailles.fr) are non-refundable in most cases
- GetYourGuide and Tiqets typically offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before — always check the specific listing
- Your timed slot allows entry within 30 minutes of the booked time — late arrivals are not admitted
- Even free-entry visitors (under-18s, EU under-26) must book a timed slot in advance at en.chateauversailles.fr
- Night Fountains Show tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable
- The palace operates in all weather — weather is not grounds for a refund
Things to Know Before You Book
Key reminders for a smooth, hassle-free Versailles visit.
Continue Exploring the Palace of Versailles
Find the right ticket and discover what to see once you arrive.
Tickets & Tours
Full Access Ticket, skip-the-line guided tours, Night Fountains Show, bike tours, golf cart experiences, and every other way to visit Versailles — compared and explained.
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What to See
Hall of Mirrors, State Apartments, Royal Chapel, formal gardens, Trianon Estate, Marie Antoinette’s Hamlet, Grand Canal, fountains, and every room and space on the estate.
Explore the highlights →Frequently Asked Questions: Planning Your Versailles Visit
Common questions visitors ask when planning a trip to the Palace of Versailles.