Versailles is absolutely amazing and is definitely not to be missed on your next trip to Paris. We truly loved exploring the palace and the gardens.
With that being said, we also did do it kind of all wrong. So here is a guide of how to have a perfect day at Versailles (by not doing what we did😉) This will include my #1 tips and an itinerary idea for your day at Versailles.
TIPS:
- Book tickets in advance and choose the earliest time slot. This was originally our plan, however we didn’t buy our tickets until the night before, so all the morning slots were sold out. So make sure to get them well in advance.
- Read and double check the hours of each location. Since we ended up getting later tickets, we decided to do the gardens first and they were incredible. However none of the fountains were on. And it wasn’t until later that we realized it was because they don’t turn on until 11am. So definitely do your research and check the times for everything beforehand.
- Plan your transportation for getting around Versailles ahead of time. They have bikes for and golf carts for rent, or you can get a ticket for a little train that makes several stops around the grounds.
- You can only enter the Gardens twice with the Passport ticket, and you can’t enter from the same entrance for both times. Finding the second entrance later in the day was actually very difficult and kind of a nightmare. So make sure to plan for that.
- Definitely don’t skip Trianon Estate. We got to see Grand Trianon and Petit Trianon. However, we didn’t end up making it to Queen’s Hamlet, which was a bummer because Trianon Estate ended up being by far our favorite part! So when you go, definitely make sure you carve out time for the whole of Trianon Estate.
- Everything is kind of separated. When I was reading up on Versailles, I was under the impression that it was one large property, and that once you’re in, you’re in. That was not the case. The entrance for the palace was its own thing. The entrance to the gardens was sort of behind the palace. And to enter Trianon, you have to leave the area of both of those.
- Listen to the audio guide. Or don’t. This is totally a personal preference and is up to you! We began listening to it, but ultimately decided to stop, and to just walk around and enjoy looking at everything. I could go at my own pace, look at everything and also still talk to my mom and sister. But, with that being said, I am definitely planning on visiting again, listening to all the audio guides, and going very slowly through every room. So it’s just up to what kind of experience you are looking for. And it’s important to note that the audio guide will add time to your day.
- Where to get food. They have a takeaway place, a restaurant, and an Angelina all right by the palace. There are also restaurants and an ice cream cart in the free park area by the Grand Canal. And don’t forget the palace is in the town of Versailles, so there are lots of places to eat in town outside of the palace.
- There is a free park area that is part of the gardens. The main part of the gardens is not free to walk around, the entrance for the main area is by the palace and you need a ticket to get in. However, at the Grand Canal and beyond, the gardens are a local park. You will see people jogging, rowing, playing soccer, and riding bikes. It’s really cool! This area is where you will find a few restaurants and an ice cream cart. You can also rent a rowboat to go out on the Grand Canal! (this is definitely on my list for things to do next time)
- Wear COMFY shoes. We all three ended up with blisters and sore feet by the end of the day. Getting a golf cart, bikes or using the train will definitely help with this. But, next time I go, I will wear very comfortable, supportive shoes.
Other little tips:
*It takes about an hour to get to Versailles from Paris, on the metro
*If you do end up getting blisters, there is a pharmacy in town quite close to the palace
*Download and use the Chateau de Versailles app
My Ultimate Versailles Itinerary
Ride train out to Versailles
With your 9 am tickets, get in line to enter the palace
Explore the palace
Exit and enter the gardens (immediately get bikes, golf cart, or choose to brave it and walk)
Enjoy the gardens
Exit gardens into free park area by the Grand Canal
Eat lunch at one of the places right there
*rent a rowboat and ride around the Grand Canal
Ride the little train (or walk) to Trianon Estate
Do Grand Trianon, Petit Trianon, and then Queen’s Hamlet
Exit the property through the free park area
Get dinner in town
Hop on train and head back to Paris
*Versailles is huge and there is so much to see, so honestly don’t stress trying to see everything. There is plenty of amazingness, so if you miss one or two things, it’s okay. We honestly probably missed quite a bit. But, I feel very satisfied and amazed by what I did get to see. So just enjoy your time there and prioritize what is most important to you.
