The Palace of Versailles offers free entry on the first Sunday of each month from November to March. Free permanent entry also applies to EU residents aged under 26, visitors under 18, visitors with disabilities and their companions, and accredited press and academic researchers. A free timed entry slot must still be booked online in advance for all free categories — simply arriving at the gate does not guarantee entry. Free entry does not include the Night Fountains Show or any paid evening events.
Free entry to one of the world’s most visited palaces is genuinely available — but only if you know when it applies, who qualifies, and how to secure your slot. A surprising number of visitors arrive expecting free entry and are turned away because they haven’t booked the required timed slot in advance. Here’s everything you need to know.
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Free Sundays: First Sunday of Each Month (November to March)
From November to March, the Palace of Versailles is free to enter for all visitors on the first Sunday of each month. This applies to the main palace, the Trianon Estate, and the gardens — the full estate.
| Month | 2025–2026 Free Sunday Date |
| November 2025 | Sunday 2 November 2025 |
| December 2025 | Sunday 7 December 2025 |
| January 2026 | Sunday 4 January 2026 |
| February 2026 | Sunday 1 February 2026 |
| March 2026 | Sunday 1 March 2026 |
On these days, visitor numbers are typically higher than a normal winter Sunday — but still significantly below peak season levels. If you can visit on a free Sunday in January or February, you’ll have some of the quietest conditions of the entire year.
Who Gets Free Entry Year-Round?
Several categories of visitor receive free entry to Versailles on any day of the year, not just free Sundays:
| Category | Requirement |
| EU residents under 26 | Valid EU ID card or passport showing date of birth and EU residency |
| Visitors under 18 (all nationalities) | Valid ID or passport showing date of birth |
| Visitors with disabilities | Valid disability documentation; one companion also enters free |
| Job seekers (France) | Valid job-seeker documentation from Pôle Emploi |
| Beneifciaries of RSA (France) | Valid RSA documentation |
| Accredited press | Valid press card |
| Teachers and researchers | Accreditation from Ministry of Culture or equivalent |
Note: Non-EU residents under 26 do not automatically qualify for year-round free entry. They must visit on a free Sunday (November–March) to enter without a ticket. Children under 18 of any nationality receive free entry at all times.
How to Book Your Free Timed Slot
This is the most important thing to understand about free entry at Versailles: you must book a free timed slot in advance. Simply arriving at the gate and stating you qualify for free entry does not guarantee admission — the palace operates on timed entry slots, and even free visitors need a confirmed reservation.
- Go to en.chateauversailles.fr and select ‘Tickets & Prices’
- Choose your visit date and select the free ticket category that applies to you
- Select your preferred entry time slot for the palace
- Complete the booking (no payment required) and save your free e-ticket with QR code
- Bring proof of eligibility on the day (valid ID, EU card, disability documentation, etc.)
Entry through Entrance A at the Dufour Pavilion. Staff will check both your timed slot and your eligibility documentation. You can enter within 30 minutes of your booked time.
What Does Free Entry Include?
Free entry covers the same areas as a paid Passport ticket:
- Main palace — Hall of Mirrors, State Apartments, Royal Chapel, Gallery of Great Battles
- Formal Gardens of Versailles
- Trianon Estate — Grand Trianon, Petit Trianon, and Marie Antoinette’s Hamlet
- Park of Versailles — Grand Canal, forested paths, picnic areas
Free entry does not include:
- The Night Fountains Show (separate ticket required, €32 adult)
- The Musical Fountains Show garden surcharge (€10), which applies on show days even with free palace entry
- Audio guide rental (available from the Dufour Pavilion for a small fee)
- Special exhibitions with separate entry fees
Is Free Sunday Worth It?
Free Sundays in winter are one of the best-kept secrets at Versailles. January and February are particularly special: the estate is genuinely quiet, the palace rooms feel expansive rather than crowded, and the winter light through the Hall of Mirrors in the morning is beautiful in a completely different way from the busy summer experience.
The trade-offs are real — the Musical Fountains don’t run in winter, some garden features are closed or dormant, and the days are shorter. But if you’re primarily interested in the palace interior rather than the summer shows, a free winter Sunday is hard to beat. Read our Versailles in winter guide for everything to expect.
Tips for Free Entry Visits
- Book your free timed slot as soon as possible — free Sunday slots fill quickly, especially in the morning
- Arrive before the palace opens at 9 am for the quietest Hall of Mirrors experience
- Bring valid proof of eligibility — staff check documentation; free entry is refused without it
- The gardens are also free on Mondays year-round (when the palace is closed) — good for a peaceful garden-only visit
- If you’re not eligible for free entry, winter visits are still far less crowded than summer, and standard tickets are the same price
