The Palace of Versailles has three main entrances: Entrance A for individual visitors with self-guided or pre-booked tickets, Entrance B for visitors with guided tour bookings (fastest entry, minimal queuing), and Entrance H for visitors with reduced mobility. All entrances are accessed via the Honour Gate and the Cour d’Honneur courtyard. Pre-booked tickets are strongly recommended — walk-up queues at Entrance A can exceed 60 minutes in peak season.
The Palace of Versailles welcomes around 25,000 visitors every day, and getting through the entrance efficiently requires knowing which door to use. The entrance you use depends entirely on your ticket type — and choosing the wrong one means joining a much longer queue. Here’s exactly which entrance to use, where to find it, and what to expect when you arrive.
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The Honour Gate: Where Everyone Starts
All visitors to the Versailles Palace begin at the Honour Gate (Grille d’Honneur) — the grand gilded gate at the far end of the Place d’Armes courtyard. This is the main entrance to the entire Versailles estate. Once through the Honour Gate, you enter the Cour d’Honneur (Honour Courtyard) — a vast cobbled courtyard flanked by the North and South Ministers’ Wings.
The Cour d’Honneur is where you’ll find key facilities before entering the palace itself:
- South Ministers’ Wing (left side) — drinking water, information desk, toilets (accessible without a ticket), a library, and mobile charging points
- North Ministers’ Wing (right side) — guided tour meeting point, subscription services, and mobile charging
From the Cour d’Honneur, look straight ahead and you’ll see Entrances A, B, and H in the central façade of the palace.
Entrance A — Individual Visitors
Entrance A is located at the top left of the Cour d’Honneur. This is the entrance for:
- Individual visitors with pre-booked timed-entry tickets
- Visitors eligible for free entry (EU residents under 26, under-18s, visitors with disabilities and their companions)
- Walk-up visitors purchasing tickets on the day
Even with a pre-booked ticket, expect a 15–30 minute queue at Entrance A during peak season (May–September). On the busiest summer days, walk-up queues can exceed 60–90 minutes and entry is not guaranteed if capacity is reached. Always book in advance — the Full Access Ticket includes a timed entry slot that guarantees your place.
If you qualify for free entry, you still need to book a free timed slot online before arriving. Carry proof of eligibility (EU ID card or passport for under-26s; relevant documentation for others). See our Versailles free entry guide for full details.
Entrance B — Guided Tour Visitors (Fastest Entry)
Entrance B is located at the top right of the Cour d’Honneur. This entrance is reserved for visitors with a guided tour booking — and it’s consistently the fastest way into the palace.
If you’ve booked the Skip-the-Line Guided Tour, your tour meeting point is at the North Ministers’ Wing (to the right in the Cour d’Honneur). Your guide will collect the group and lead you through Entrance B, bypassing the main queues entirely. This is one of the key reasons the guided tour is so popular in peak season — the time saved at the entrance alone can be 45–60 minutes.
Groups of 10 or more visitors with a group reservation also use Entrance B. Group tour bookings include audiophones (compulsory for most groups) and a dedicated guide.
Entrance H — Accessibility
Entrance H is located at the Chapel Courtyard, on the left side of the palace as you face it. It is specifically designated for:
- Visitors using wheelchairs or with reduced mobility
- Their companions and carers
- Guide dogs
- Visitors during European Heritage Days
Entrance H is equipped with ramps and lifts. The distance from the Honour Gate to Entrance H is around 200 metres. Wheelchairs are available to borrow free of charge at the Gabriel Pavilion and at the Petit Trianon. Please note that wheelchairs can only be used on the ground floor of the palace — lifts do not reach all upper levels. For a full breakdown of accessibility at Versailles, see our accessibility guide.
Versailles Entrance Summary
| Entrance | Location | For | Queue Expectation |
| Entrance A | Top left of Cour d’Honneur | Individual visitors, free entry, walk-ups | 15–60 min in peak season |
| Entrance B | Top right of Cour d’Honneur | Guided tour bookings, groups with reservations | Minimal — priority access |
| Entrance H | Chapel Courtyard (left side) | Visitors with reduced mobility, guide dogs | Minimal |
Entrances to the Gardens
The Gardens of Versailles can be accessed from both the palace side and the Park. There are several entry points:
- From the palace: Through the Princes’ Courtyard gate, at the top left of the Cour d’Honneur — this is the most direct route from the palace into the formal gardens.
- From Boulevard de la Reine (north): Through the Queen’s Fence (Grille de la Reine), then south to the Neptune Fence near the Neptune Fountain.
- From the Grand Canal side (west): Through the Petite Venise Gate or the Ménagerie Gate.
On Musical Fountains Show days, a garden entry surcharge of €10 applies at all garden entrances. This is included in the Full Access Ticket.
Entrances to the Park
The Park of Versailles is free to enter at all times through three gates:
- Queen’s Gate — on Boulevard de la Reine; 1.2 km from the Honour Gate, about 16 minutes on foot. The closest Park entrance to the main palace.
- Saint Anthony Gate — near Marie Antoinette’s Estate; 2.3 km from the Honour Gate, about 30 minutes on foot. Useful if approaching from the Trianon Estate direction.
- Sailors’ Gate — on Route de Saint-Cyr; 1.2 km from the Honour Gate, about 15 minutes on foot.
Practical Tips for Arriving at Versailles
- Arrive at the Honour Gate by 8:45 am to be among the first through when the palace opens at 9 am
- If you’ve booked the guided tour, head directly to the North Ministers’ Wing meeting point — don’t join the Entrance A queue
- Bags larger than 55 x 35 x 20 cm are not permitted inside the palace — free lockers are available in the North Ministers’ Wing (max size 46 x 43 x 26 cm)
- Audio guides are collected at the Dufour Pavilion near Entrance A, or at the security check points for Grand Trianon and Petit Trianon
- Check opening hours before you go — the Honour Gate opens at 7 am (high season) or 8 am (low season), before the palace itself
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the frequently asked questions about entry to the Versailles Palace.
Where do you enter the Palace of Versailles?
You will first enter the Royal Gate (Honor Gate), then cross Cour d’Honneur, a massive courtyard, and then use one of the three entrances to access the main Palace
Is there a special entrance for the differently-abled?
Yes, the Palace of Versailles has Entrance H, which is specifically designated for individuals with disabilities. It is equipped with ramps and elevators to provide easy access..
Can I just show up at Versailles?
Yes, you can buy a ticket to the Versailles Ticket Office. However, entry is not guaranteed in case of footfall.
So, please book your Versailles tickets well in advance.
Which Palace of Versailles entrance has a locker facility?
You will find that automatic lockers are available for luggage in the North Ministers’ Wing. Please ensure that your luggage does not exceed 46 x 43 x 26 cm.
At which entrance can I rent wheelchairs or strollers?
Wheelchairs are available at the Palace of Versailles (Gabriel Pavilion) and the Petit Trianon, but they can only be used for touring the ground floor.
On free entry days, which entrance should we use?
The entry points for free admission are the same as paid ones.
From which entrance can we pick up the audio guide?
You can collect your audioguide at the Dufour Pavilion near the Castle or after the security check at the entrances to the Grand Trianon or Petit Trianon.
