What to See

What to See at the Palace of Versailles

From the Hall of Mirrors and the King’s State Apartments to Marie Antoinette’s Hamlet, the Grand Canal, and 50 baroque fountains — here are the essential highlights of the Palace of Versailles estate. Use this guide to choose what to prioritise based on your time, interests, and what kind of visit you want.

Top Highlights → Read FAQs
What to See at the Palace of Versailles

The Must-See Highlights of Versailles

Start here — the experiences that define a visit to the Palace of Versailles.

Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles
Must-See Iconic Visit Before 10 am

Hall of Mirrors

The most photographed room in France. Stretching 73 metres along the garden-facing wall of the palace, the Hall of Mirrors features 357 mirrors set into 17 arched windows, gilded chandeliers holding 20,000 candles, and ceiling paintings by Charles Le Brun celebrating the reign of Louis XIV. The Treaty of Versailles, which ended World War I, was signed here in 1919. Visit before 10 am for the best natural light and the only chance to move freely through the gallery.

Explore the Hall of Mirrors →
Palace of Versailles complete visitor guide
Complete Guide Start Here 800 Hectares

Palace of Versailles: Complete Visitor Guide

The full overview of everything the Palace of Versailles estate contains — quick facts, the history from Louis XIV to the Treaty of Versailles, a guide to every major attraction inside and outside the palace, ticket options, and how to structure your day. If you’re visiting for the first time, start here to understand the scale of what you’re visiting: 2,300 rooms, 800 hectares, over 8 million visitors a year.

Read the Complete Guide →
Marie Antoinette's Estate — Hamlet and Petit Trianon
Most Atmospheric Petit Trianon Queen’s Hamlet

Marie Antoinette’s Estate

Consistently the most surprising and atmospheric part of Versailles. The Petit Trianon — Marie Antoinette’s own private palace — and the Queen’s Hamlet, a genuine working farm village she had built to escape court life, are where the real complexity of Versailles becomes apparent. The thatched Norman buildings reflected in the artificial lake are one of the most beautiful and most personal sights on the entire estate. Many visitors consider this the highlight of their day.

Explore Marie Antoinette’s Estate →

Inside the Palace

The ceremonial rooms, galleries, and historic spaces within the main palace building.

King's and Queen's State Apartments at Versailles
Ceremonial RoomsRoyal History

King’s & Queen’s State Apartments

A room-by-room guide to the 14 ceremonial rooms where daily royal life was performed in public — from the Hercules Room through to the Apollo Throne Room, and the Queen’s Bedchamber where royal births took place before the entire court.

Read guide →
Royal Chapel of Versailles
ArchitectureBaroque

Royal Chapel of Versailles

The last great building project of Louis XIV’s reign, completed in 1710. Soaring vaulted ceiling covered in baroque frescoes, a golden pipe organ, and colonnaded galleries — one of the most architecturally remarkable spaces in the entire estate. Where Louis XVI married Marie Antoinette in 1770.

Read guide →
Gallery of Great Battles at Versailles
Military HistoryQuiet Gallery

Gallery of Great Battles

120 metres long and consistently one of the quietest rooms in the palace. Commissioned by Louis-Philippe in 1837, it houses 33 monumental paintings of French military victories from 496 AD to 1809, alongside 80 memorial busts and bronze tablets listing over 3,000 names.

Read guide →
Museum of the History of France at Versailles
MuseumFrench History

Museum of the History of France

Created by Louis-Philippe in 1837 to dedicate Versailles to “all the glories of France.” Over 6,000 paintings and 3,000 sculptures across the Crusades Rooms, Empire Rooms, Coronation Room (with David’s Napoleon paintings), and Gallery of Great Battles.

Read guide →
Royal Stables of the Palace of Versailles
Hidden GemCarriages

Royal Stables

Directly opposite the palace across Place d’Armes — the Great Stables (Gallery of Coaches with royal carriages; Equestrian Academy) and the Small Stables (Sculptures and Mouldings Gallery). Consistently less crowded than the main palace. Free with entry.

Read guide →
Royal Tennis Court — Tennis Court Oath
Free EntryFrench Revolution

Royal Tennis Court

Where the French Revolution effectively began. On 20 June 1789, 576 deputies of the Third Estate swore the Tennis Court Oath in this room. Free to enter, 10-minute walk from the main palace. One of the most historically charged rooms in France — and almost always empty of crowds.

Read guide →
Time allocation inside the palace: Allow 2–3 hours for the main palace route (Hall of Mirrors, State Apartments, Royal Chapel). The Gallery of Great Battles and Museum of History add another 30–45 minutes and are far less crowded — ideal if you arrive mid-morning when the main route is busy. The Royal Stables and Tennis Court are best saved for the end of the day.

Gardens, Park & Water

The world’s greatest formal gardens, 50 fountains, the Grand Canal, and 800 hectares to explore.

Palace of Versailles Gardens
GardensFountainsFree Most Days

Palace of Versailles Gardens

800 hectares of the world’s greatest formal gardens, designed by André Le Nôtre from 1661. 50 fountains, 620 water jets, 13 ornamental groves, over 400 sculptures, and the Orangery housing 200-year-old orange trees. Free on most days; €10 surcharge on Musical Fountains Show days (included in Full Access Ticket).

Read guide →
Versailles fountains guide — Apollo, Latona, Neptune
FountainsShows

Versailles Fountains: Complete Guide

All 50 fountains explained — Apollo, Latona, Neptune, Dragon, Four Seasons, and the bosquet groves. The history of the 17th-century hydraulic system (including the whistles used to turn fountains on as the king approached). Musical Fountains Show and Night Show schedules.

Read guide →
Grand Canal at Versailles — rowing boats
Grand CanalRowing Boats

Grand Canal at Versailles

1.7 km east to west, constructed 1668–1679. Louis XIV staged naval displays here; Venice gifted him gondolas, creating “Little Venice.” Today: rowing boats (€16/30 min, April–November), the best picnic spots on the estate, golden-hour photography, and quiet cycling paths along the banks.

Read guide →
Park of Versailles — Grand Canal, cycling, picnics
Free AlwaysParkCycling

Palace of Versailles Park

The wilder, quieter landscape beyond the formal gardens — forested paths, the Grand Canal, the Lake of the Swiss Guard, two designated picnic areas, and cycling routes. Always free to enter, even on days when the formal gardens charge a surcharge. Dogs permitted on leads.

Read guide →
Versailles photography guide — best spots and light
PhotographyBest Spots

Versailles Photography Guide

Best indoor spots (Hall of Mirrors before 10 am, Royal Chapel light, State Apartments), best outdoor locations (Water Parterre reflection, Grand Canal at golden hour, Apollo Fountain axis, Queen’s Hamlet lake). Rules on flash, tripods, and selfie sticks. Photography by season.

Read guide →

The Trianon Estate

The private palaces and royal retreats at the far end of the Versailles estate — many visitors consider this the most memorable part of the entire visit.

Trianon Estate — Grand Trianon, Petit Trianon, Hamlet
Complete GuideIncluded in Full Access

Trianon Estate: Grand Trianon, Petit Trianon & Hamlet

The complete guide to the 150-hectare Trianon Estate — Grand Trianon (Louis XIV’s marble palace), Petit Trianon (Marie Antoinette’s private palace), and the Queen’s Hamlet. Opening hours (12 pm weekdays / 9 am weekends), how to get there, and which ticket covers it.

Read guide →
Marie Antoinette's Hamlet — Queen's House and farm village
Most AtmosphericFarm Village

Marie Antoinette’s Estate & Hamlet

The Petit Trianon, English Garden, and Queen’s Hamlet in detail — why Marie Antoinette built a working farm village to escape court life, the Queen’s House, the mill, dovecote, and kitchen garden. The most personal and surprising place on the entire Versailles estate.

Read guide →
Don’t skip the Trianon Estate: The walk from the main palace takes 25–30 minutes each way (or 20 minutes by Little Train). The Trianon Estate opens at 12 pm on weekdays and 9 am on weekends. Build it into your itinerary from the start — many visitors run out of time because they treat it as an afterthought rather than a priority. It is included in the Full Access Ticket.

How to Choose What to See

A quick guide based on your time, interests, and the type of visit you want.

If it’s your first visit

Start with the palace interior — you need context to appreciate everything else. Then expand outward to the gardens and Trianon Estate.

Recommended: Skip-the-Line Guided Tour — expert commentary on the Hall of Mirrors ceiling paintings, royal daily routines, and Marie Antoinette’s hidden rooms brings the palace to life.

If you love history & art

Versailles has layers of history that most visitors never reach. Go deeper into the rooms and collections beyond the standard tourist route.

Recommended: Private Guided Tour — a private historian guide adapts entirely to your interests, with unlimited time on the rooms and stories that matter most to you.

If you’re a photographer

Versailles rewards early arrivals and late afternoon visits. The best shots require knowing when and where to be.

  • Arrive before 9:15 am for the Hall of Mirrors — best natural light, fewest people
  • Grand Canal at golden hour (5–7 pm in summer) for the best outdoor shots
  • Queen’s Hamlet in the morning for the lake reflections and thatched rooftops
  • Colonnade Grove for architectural detail without crowds
Note: Personal photography is permitted throughout the estate. Flash, tripods, selfie sticks, and drones are banned. See our full Versailles photography guide.

If you have limited time (3–4 hours)

Focus on the palace interior and one or two key garden spots. The Trianon Estate requires a minimum of 1.5 hours and is a 25-minute walk — plan realistically.

  • Hall of Mirrors + State Apartments (90 minutes)
  • Royal Chapel (30 minutes)
  • Main garden axis from Water Parterre to Apollo Fountain (45 minutes)
  • Skip the Trianon Estate — or return another day to do it justice
Recommended: Full Access Ticket with an early timed slot. Use the free audio guide to maximise understanding of the palace rooms in the time you have.

Continue Exploring the Palace of Versailles

Book your tickets and plan the practical details of your visit.

Tickets & Tours — Palace of Versailles
Book Your Visit

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.

Explore ticket options →
Plan Your Visit — Palace of Versailles
Visitor Guide

Plan Your Visit

Opening hours, how to reach Versailles from Paris, best time to visit, accessibility, parking, restaurants, amenities, and everything you need to know before you go.

Read the visitor guide →

Ready to see the Palace of Versailles for yourself?

Book your tickets in advance and choose the experience that matches your interests. The Hall of Mirrors at 9 am is worth planning for.

Book Your Versailles Ticket →

Frequently Asked Questions: What to See at Versailles

Common questions about highlights, priorities, and what to expect at the Palace of Versailles.

Start with the Hall of Mirrors — arrive at the palace gates by 8:45 am and head there immediately when the palace opens at 9 am. The first 30–45 minutes in the Hall of Mirrors, before the first tour groups arrive from Paris, is one of the great experiences in European travel. From the Hall of Mirrors, continue into the State Apartments and Royal Chapel. After the palace, head to the gardens and then take the Little Train to the Trianon Estate in the afternoon.
Yes — for many visitors, the Trianon Estate is the highlight of the entire day. The Grand Trianon (Louis XIV’s marble palace), the Petit Trianon (Marie Antoinette’s own private palace), and the Queen’s Hamlet (a genuine working farm village she had built to escape court life) offer a completely different atmosphere from the formal grandeur of the main palace. Plan a minimum of 1.5 hours and take the Little Train (€9 return) to get there without the 25-minute walk. The Trianon Estate is included in the Full Access Ticket.
The Gardens of Versailles cover 800 hectares and are the world’s greatest formal gardens — parterres, groves, 50 fountains, 400 sculptures, and the 1.7-km Grand Canal. The gardens are free to enter on most days. The fountains only run on Musical Fountains Show days (most Tuesdays from May, every Saturday and Sunday from late March to late October, 10 am–7 pm), when a €10 surcharge applies — included in the Full Access Ticket. On other days the fountains are static. The Night Fountains Show (Saturday evenings, June–September) is a separate event requiring its own ticket.
Most visitors spend 20–30 minutes in the Hall of Mirrors itself. The full palace route including the Hall of Mirrors, State Apartments (before and after), War Room, and Peace Room takes approximately 60–90 minutes. Adding the Royal Chapel extends this to 2 hours. The audio guide — free with your ticket — includes detailed commentary on the ceiling paintings and the history of the Treaty of Versailles signing in 1919, and makes the time in the Hall significantly more rewarding.
Yes — the Gallery of Great Battles is one of the most impressive and least-visited rooms in the palace. At 120 metres long and 13 metres wide, it is the largest room in the entire building. It houses 33 monumental paintings depicting French military victories from 496 AD to 1809, 80 memorial busts, and bronze tablets listing over 3,000 names. Located on the first floor of the South Wing, it is consistently quieter than the main apartment route. It is included in all standard Versailles entry tickets.
Yes — personal photography is permitted throughout most of the Palace of Versailles, including the Hall of Mirrors, State Apartments, and Royal Chapel. Flash photography is banned inside the palace (it damages the historic surfaces). Tripods, selfie sticks, and drones are also banned throughout the entire estate. Commercial photography requires prior authorisation from the palace administration. For the best Hall of Mirrors shots, arrive before 9:30 am. The Grand Canal at golden hour and the Queen’s Hamlet reflected in its lake are the best outdoor photography opportunities.
The Queen’s Hamlet (Le Hameau de la Reine) is a genuine working farm village built for Marie Antoinette between 1783 and 1786, set around an artificial lake at the far end of the Trianon Estate. It consists of ten Norman-style buildings including the Queen’s House, a working dairy farm, a mill, a dovecote, and a kitchen garden with 120 plant varieties. It was not a decorative fantasy but a real retreat where Marie Antoinette escaped the pressures of court life. The thatched buildings reflected in the lake are among the most photographed images of Versailles. It is included in the Full Access Ticket and is 25–30 minutes on foot from the main palace.
Yes, for anyone interested in French history. The Royal Tennis Court is where the Tennis Court Oath was sworn on 20 June 1789 — the moment when 576 deputies of the Third Estate vowed not to disperse until a new constitution had been established, effectively beginning the French Revolution. The court is free to enter, a 10-minute walk from the main palace, open Tuesday to Sunday from 12:30 pm to 5:30 pm, and almost always uncrowded. It is one of the most historically charged rooms in France.
View All Versailles FAQs →