The Palace of Versailles welcomes nearly 25,000 visitors daily, and you are one of them!
How will you navigate to the Palace easily?
Knowing the entry process is challenging, the Royal Residence has organized visitor entry based on ticket type.
First, all visitors will enter the Château de Versailles through the Court of Honour (Cour d’Honneur).
To explore the main Versailles Palace, Gardens, and other attractions, there are three designated entrances: A, B, and H.
Entrance A is for individual visitors with booked time slots.
Entrance B is for visitors who come as a group.
Entrance H is especially for differently abled visitors, their companions, or guide dogs.
Please note that entry is guaranteed only through online booking.
We highly recommend booking your tickets online to avoid any disappointment.
The Main Versailles Entrance
The Honour Gate (Grille d’Honneur) serves as the main entrance to the entire Versailles Estate.
Once inside, you will pass through the Honour Courtyard (Cour d’Honneur).
During the high season (April to October), the Honour Gate is open daily from 7 am to 7:30 pm.
During the low season (November to March), it is open daily from 8 am to 6 pm. The last admission is 30 minutes before closing time.
In the Cour d’Honneur, you will find essential amenities.
The South Side (South Ministers’ Wing) includes drinking water, an information desk, toilets, a library, and mobile charging points.
The North Side (North Ministers’ Wing) offers guided tours, a subscription meeting point, and another mobile charging point.
For security reasons, visitors cannot bring large baggage items (exceeding 55*35*20 cm) into the Palace.
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Entrance A
If you want to purchase tickets or already have a self-guided tour, use Entrance A, located at the top left of the Cour d’Honneur.
However, we highly recommend booking your tickets online.
Entry cannot be guaranteed without a pre-booked ticket. Due to the high volume of visitors, even after waiting in line for 30 minutes to an hour, there is a chance you may not gain entry.
The average waiting time is around 30 minutes.
Entrance A is open to those eligible for free admissions, such as European Union residents under 26, children under 18, differently-abled individuals, and their accompanying members.
Remember to carry proof of eligibility and an ID card if you qualify for free admission. It is also important to book a free time slot.
Get the Versailles Full-Access Ticket and explore all the major attractions in the Royal Residence. With this ticket, you’ll enjoy entry to the Palace, the Musical Show (when available), and the Trianon Estate.
Entrance B
If you have booked a guided tour ticket, enter Entrance B at the right of the Honor Courtyard. This is the quickest way to enter the palace without delays or queues.
If you have booked a guided tour, the meeting point is at the North Ministers Wing to the right in the Cour d’Honneur.
Book this Guided Tour of the Palace of Versailles, which includes a 90 to 150-minute tour by a local guide. This ticket includes a 90-minute Palace and 45-minute Gardens Guided Tour.
Entrance H
Entrance H is located at the Chapel Courtyard Access and is specially designated for differently-abled visitors. It is equipped with various ramps and elevator facilities.
Their companions or guide dogs are also allowed at this entrance.
It also serves as the access point during European Heritage Days.
The distance from the front gate to the building entrance is around 200 meters.
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Entrance to Gardens
You can enter Versailles Gardens both from the Palace and the Park.
Access through the Princes’ Courtyard, located next to Entrance A of the Palace.
There are two entrances to the gardens from the Park.
Enter the Park via the Queen’s Gate, then proceed through the Neptune Gate at the northern end, near the Neptune Fountain.
On the west side, near the Grand Canal, you can access the gardens by either the Petite Venise Gate or the Ménagerie Gate.
Entrance to the Park
You can access Versailles Park through three entrances—The Queen’s Gate, Saint Anthony Gate, and Sailors’ Gate.
The Queen’s Gate, located on the Boulevard de la Reine, is 1.2 km from the Honour Gate. It takes about 16 minutes to walk from the main entrance to the Queen’s Gate.
The Saint Anthony Gate, situated near Marie-Antoinette’s Estate, is 2.3 km from the Honour Gate, and it takes 30 minutes to walk there from the main entrance.
The Sailors’ Gate, located on Route de Saint-Cyr (D10), is also about 1.2 km from the Honour Gate, and it takes around 15 minutes to reach from the main entrance.
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FAQs
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 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.
Want to know more before you visit Versailles? Read:
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