A Versailles tour is a must on any stay in Paris. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but requires an extra day to your stay, even though Versailles is only 25 km from the center of Paris.
A visit to Versailles also requires careful planning, as the Versailles estate is immense (800 ha) and includes 2 châteaux (the “Trianons”) in addition to the main castle, an 83-hectare garden (with statues), a 700-hectare park (also with ponds and statues) and the Queen’s hamlet (“Hameau de la Reine” : 12 typical houses built as a village in 1782).
Different bookings of Versailles to help you choose
Versailles and Monet Gardens in Giverny: Day trip from Paris
Palace of Versailles + Disneyland Paris: 1 day + 1 Park ticket
How long does it take to visit the Domaine de Versailles?
While the château can be visited in half a day, it would be a pity not to take advantage of your trip to Versailles to see the other buildings too, the two châteaux of Trianon, the Garden and Park, and the Hameau de la Reine Marie-Antoinette.
But you’ll need to devote the whole day to complete the Versailles Tour, and organize it well so you don’t waste time queuing, getting your bearings and getting lost.
That’s what we’ve set ourselves with this article, to avoid any mishaps. It’s dedicated solely to the organization of an exhaustive visit to the Domaine de Versailles, from the center of Paris (your hotel), with all existing options and necessary reservations. In short: see everything at your leisure.
Opening hours of the different parts of the Domaine de Versailles
A visit to the Versailles estate includes several buildings located more than a kilometer from the main château. And for practical reasons, they don’t all open at the same time. To avoid unnecessary travel, it’s a usefull to know the opening and closing times of each one and the Fountain watering schedule.
Main Château (known as “the Château de Versailles”): 9 a.m. – 6.30 p.m. – Closed on Mondays.
The two châteaux of Trianon: 12pm – 6.30pm – Closed on Mondays – Plan to visit the main château in the morning, to allow time to visit the entire TRIANON estate in the afternoon.
Le Hameau de la Reine (Queen’s hamlet): same opening hours as the Trianon châteaux
The Garden: 7 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. – Open every day
Every Saturday and Sunday from April to October, enjoy the Grandes Eaux Musicales in the Garden. Fountain watering times during the Grandes Eaux Musicales: The groves are exceptionally open and the fountains flooded.
Morning: watering of the southern groves
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.: watering of the Grand Perspective
From 11:15 to 11:45 a.m., watering of the Ballroom, Bacchus and Saturn basins, Colonnade and Girandole bosquets.
Afternoon: watering of the northern bosquets
3.30 pm to 4.30 pm: watering of the Trois Fontaines octagon, the Pyramid fountain, the Syrenes basin, the Allée d’Eau, the Golden Children basin, the Ceres and Flora basin, and the Girandole bosquet.
3.30 p.m. to 5.00 p.m.: watering of the Encelade grove and the Apollo baths grove
4 to 5 p.m.: watering of the Grande perspective and the bosquet du DauphinAt 5:20 p.m., finale at the Bassin de Neptune (watering of the historic jets during the final minutes of the music).
The Park:
Entrance from the château: 7am – 8.30pm – Open every day – Please note that in high season (April to October), if you pass through the gardens, there is a charge from Tuesday to Sunday (Grandes Eaux and Jardins Musicaux days). You will need a Passport ticket, a Jardins Musicaux ticket or a Grandes Eaux Musicales ticket to gain access.
Direct entry through the park gates: April to October: 7:00 am – 7:30 pm (last entry 7 pm) – November to March: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm (last entry 5:30 pm)
How did we organize your visit to Versailles?
We simply used the maps on the official Domaine de Versailles website as a reference. We’ve added photos and a few comments based on available information and our personal knowledge of Versailles. What you read below, you’ll recognize when you get there. No time wasted getting lost and searching.
To make your visit easier when you’re on the Estate of Versailles, we make extensive use of links to the necessary maps and plans, which will help you find your way around easily from your cell phone.
How is our Versailles Tour article structured?
Our Versailles Tour post is In the form of FAQs that every visitor is entitled to ask before visiting the vast Versailles estate. What’s more, we’ve added booking links (to reserve all admission tickets) to save you time on your visit to Versailles. When you arrive at Versailles, you’ll know where to go and be sure that the Domaine de Versailles is waiting for you, without having to waste time queuing.
How to get to Versailles from Paris?
Getting to the Château de Versailles on your own
By train : 3 solutions exists from Paris. The journey from Paris stations takes 20 to 45 minutes
From central Paris: take the RER C line to Versailles Château Rive-Gauche. Travel time may vary depending on your departure station. Allow around 30 minutes from the Eiffel Tower! The Versailles castle is 350 m away from the exit station.
From Paris Montparnasse RR station (GPS: 48.84112, 2.32015): take the TER lines, N line (towards Rambouillet, Dreux, Mantes-la-Jolie) or the TER towards Chartres. You can then get off at Versailles Chantiers. The journey takes between 15 and 30 minutes, depending on service. The Versailles castle is 1 km away from the exit station.
From Paris Saint Lazare RR station (GPS 48.87646, 2.32521) : take line L or join it at La Défense. Make sure you take the “Versailles Rive-Droite” direction and get off at the terminus. From Gare Saint Lazare, the journey takes around 30 minutes. The Versailles castle is 1 km away from the exit station.
From La Défense-Grande Arche RR station (GPS 48.89183, 2.23872), line U towards La Verrière will take you to Versailles Chantiers in 20 minutes. The Versailles castle is 1 km away from the exit station.
Find train timetables on the Île de France Mobilités or RATP applications.
Warning : T+ tickets (metro tickets) are not valid for travel to Versailles. We encourage you to buy a “Versailles Château Rive-Gauche or Versailles Chantiers or Versailles Rive Droite” ticket, depending on which line you’ll be taking. Otherwise you’ll be liable to a fine. The price for a ticket from Paris to Versailles is around 5€ one way. As these stations are very busy, it’s advisable to buy a return ticket.
By bus
RATP bus : n° 171 runs between the Pont de Sèvres and the Château de Versailles. Stop in front of the Versailles castle entrance . The Pont de Sèvres bus station is in the south-west of Paris in Boulogne-Billancourt town and can be reach with the metro line 9 from the center of Paris – GPS 48.829635, 2.230492)
Comfortable and convenient shuttle. To and from the Eiffel Tower area, your driver will take you to the entrance of the Château de Versailles and back. Entrance to the château is not included. For a half-day or full-day return trip. Make a réservation.
Combination with Tootbus Paris: Hop-On Hop-Off in Paris + Entry Ticket to Versailles + Transport Paris to Versailles and return. Over a 24, 48 or 72 hour period. For a reservation click on “Booking Hop-On-Off-Off Paris + Versailles + transport“
Departing from the heart of Paris, head for the Versailles Palace and witness a testament to French art and architectural mastery.
Step inside the grand Palace, stroll around in the sprawling Park, admire the picturesque Gardens, and roam the prestigious estate of Trianon – boasting the “Grand Trianon,” the “Petit Trianon,” and the utterly charming Queen’s Hamlet.
The Hop-on Hop-off tour takes you comfortably around Paris’s main attractions. See from the outside the opera’s grandeur, the famed Louvre Museum, the Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Sainte-Chapelle, the Orsay Museum, and historical gems like Concorde, Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Les Invalides, and Grand Palais.
Various options for Versailles Day Trips from Paris
Also combination with a visit to Giverny and Monet’s house (Reminder: Monet’s paintings can be seen at the Musée de l’Orangerie in Paris)
By renting a car
Versailles is 25 km from Paris and 35 to 40 minutes away by car- Car parks in front of and on the sides of the château.
There are several pay parking lots inside and outside the estate of Versailles. Click on Map of location of parkings on the estate of Versailles
Access is free for vehicles belonging to visitors with reduced mobility, on presentation of proof.
Reservation of cars
High end cars
Standard cars – All types
Visit Versailles with an organized tour from Paris
Our Versailles Tour offers a range of options: single entry, skip the line entry, night fontains show, Versailles day trips from Paris, Marie-Antoinette’s estate and Trianons Palaces only (open 12:00am to 6:00pm), combinaison tickets (with Louvre, Seine river cruises, Giverny, etc.). For your reservation click on “Tours to Versailles“
Helicopter Flight from Paris to Versailles: Do what the sun king couldn’t, and travel from Paris to Versailles in ultimate style – and in 10 mn.
You’ll get the best views of Paris possible with aerial angles of the Eiffel Tower, La Défense, Montparnasse Tower, and the bridges of the Seine. After you make your landing near Versailles castle, you’ll celebrate with a drink before heading back! Click for a reservation Paris to Versailles Tour in helicopter
Location of Versailles and the châteaux du Trianon on the map, in relation to Paris
The Domaine de Versailles is 25 km from the center, west of Paris. On the map below, it’s in the bottom left-hand corner.
First, locate the various buildings on the Domaine de Versailles site
The map below shows the Versailles estate, with the main château at the bottom right, the Jardin and Grand Canal, the Grand Trianon château and its gardens above, the Petit Trianon, Temple de l’Amour, Grotte de Marie-Antoinette on the right and the Hameau de la Reine at the top.
Where to find the most important places to visit at the Palace of Versailles (Main Palace)
Listed as a World Heritage Site for 30 years, the Château de Versailles is one of the finest achievements of 17th-century French art. Come and discover the King’s and Queen’s Apartments, the Hall of Mirrors, Gallery of story of the castle, Salles of Crusades, Salles Louis Xv, Salles Louis XIV, apartments of the daughters of Louis XV, apartments of the Dauphin and the Dauphine, Salle de l’Empire, Gallery of Battles.
In order to locate on the map of the castle all these points to be seen, click on “What to see in the Château de Versailles“.
The start of the Versailles Tour : A visit to the château’s garden level
To view the dynamic map above, click on “Ground-floor of the main castle”.
Where are the apartments of Louis XV’s daughters?
After passing through entrance A, turn left into the Cour Royale. These apartments are open to the public, but are also available for guided tours.
How do I get to the Grands Appartements?
They are located on the second floor of the Château. To access them from the garden level, take the staircase at the end of the History Gallery.
Where is the Dauphin’s apartment?
The Dauphin’s apartment has reopened its doors for the first time in over 10 years, following a major restoration. This ground-floor apartment in the central north wing overlooking the Parterre du Midi was reserved for members of the royal family. Its current layout corresponds to the period when it was inhabited by Louis XV’s son, Louis de France.
Where is the Dauphine’s apartment?
This ground-floor apartment overlooking the Parterre du Midi was reserved for members of the royal family. Its current layout reflects the period when it was occupied by Marie-Josèphe de Saxe, second wife of Louis de France – son of Louis XV – between 1747 and 1765.
Where are the venues for concerts and shows on the garden level?
Depending on the show, the venues may vary within the château: the Opéra Royal, the Chapelle Royale, the Salon d’Hercule, the Galerie des Glaces… Access is via entrance B to the Château.
Bonus : La galerie des carrosses – Free access
The carriage gallery is located outside the main castle, on the Avenue de Paris, just before the main entrance to the château.
Before entering the castle or after the visit, you can discover the gala sedans ordered for Napoleon I’s wedding, Louis XVIII’s funeral coach, Charles X’s coronation coach, others from the Third Republic, as well as 18th-century sleighs and sedan chairs.
April 1 to October 31: Open Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays (except Mondays) and Tuesday to Sunday during zone C school vacations (Tuesday April 9 to Sunday April 21). Opening hours: 12:30 pm – 6:30 pm. Last admission: 5:45 p.m
From July 2 to September 29, the gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday, 9am to 6:30pm. Last admission 5:45pm
November 1 to March 31: Open Saturdays and Sundays Hours: 12:30 pm – 5:30 pm. Last admission: 4:45pm
Closed December 25, 2024 and January 1, 2025
Tour of the 1st floor of the château
To view the dynamic map above, click on “First-floor of the main castle”.
Where is the Grands Appartements circuit?
After taking the staircase at the end of the Galerie de l’Histoire, the Grands Appartements begin with the Salon d’Hercule.
Where is the Galerie des Batailles?
On the second floor, visitors can also discover the Galerie des Batailles, subject to opening hours, at the end of their visit to the Grands Appartements.
Where are the Louis XIV rooms?
The Louis XIV rooms offer visitors a vast panorama of the 17th century, featuring the king, his family, the court and the major political, military and artistic events that marked his reign.
Where are the concert and show venues on the 1st floor?
Depending on the show, the venues may vary within the Château: the Royal Opera House, the Chapel Royal, the Salon d’Hercule, the Hall of Mirrors… Access is via entrance B to the Château.
Versailles Tour : access to the Château de Versailles and other parts of the estate
Depending on what you want to see, there are different entrances and tickets available. If you are entitled to free admission, you must have reserved a free time slot on the online ticketing service to gain access to the Château.
The number of visitors to the Estate de Versailles is very high. We therefore strongly recommend that you make reservations before your visit. You can make all available reservation options directly from our website by clicking on “Visit Versailles”.
Warning : Due to the Vigipirate anti-terrorism plan, access to the estate is forbidden to people with bulky luggage (exceeding 55x35x25 cm).
To view the dynamic map above, click on “Access to the castle”.
Where is the main entrance?
If you have a ticket, go to entrance A at the top of the Cour d’Honneur on the left.
If you have a group reservation, go to entrance B at the top of the Cour d’Honneur on the right.
Please note that if you have not purchased your ticket in advance, you must pass through the ticket office before proceeding to the Château entrance (located in the South Ministers wing).
If you are entitled to free admission, please go to entrance A and present your ticket without going through the ticket office.
Where is the entrance for booked groups?
Groups enter the Château via entrance B.
Please note that this entrance is only for booked groups. Individual visitors forming a group enter the Château via entrance A.
School groups without a reservation also enter via entrance A (for free admission, please go to the North Ministers’ wing in advance with a list of students).
For people with reduced mobility
On arrival at the Château, a pedestrian path leads from the main entrance to the entrances.
Access for guide dogs accompanying disabled persons is authorized on presentation of proof.
How do I get to the shows?
For shows inside the Château (Opera, Chapel, Hall of Mirrors, etc.), access is via entrance B of the Château.
Spectators needing to collect a seat from the ticket counter and those wishing to buy a ticket on the spot must use the same entrance.
For the Grandes Eaux Nocturnes and other garden shows (scheduled from June to September), access is via the Cour des Princes.
How to get to the gardens?
When you arrive at the Château, you can go directly to the gardens by turning left (through the Cour des Princes to the left of entrance A).
From March 29 to October 31, access to the gardens is subject to a fee from Tuesday to Sunday (days of Grandes Eaux or Jardins Musicaux). In this case, purchase a Passport ticket (preferably online) or, if you are visiting the gardens only, a Grandes Eaux / Jardins Musicaux ticket (at the entrance to the gardens).
How do I get to the Chateaux de Trianon and the Domaine de Marie-Antoinette from the Château?
The Chateaux of Trianon and the Estate of Marie-Antoinette are ALSO accessible from the town of Versailles and from the estate. From the main entrance of the Château there are three ways to get there:On foot through the gardens (approx. 30-minute walk)
By Petit Train, get off at the Château stop (north terrace of the gardens) and get off at the Grand Trianon stop (approx. 20-minute journey – Full fare: €8.50, ½ fare €6.50 and return fare only €4.60)
By rented electric car from the south terrace of the gardens (main entrance to the gardens – €34/hour)
Important information:
Access to the Petit Trianon and the Queen’s hamlet is via the Grand Trianon entrance only.
Direct access to the Chateaux de Trianon and the Domaine de Marie-Antoinette are alos available from door …..
Please note that access to the gardens is subject to a fee on high-water days (unless you have a Passport, Jardins Musicaux or Grandes Eaux ticket).
If you limit your Versailles Tour to only the Jardin of the main castle ?
Click on “Jardin du Château principal de Versailles” to view the dynamic map below, with detailed information and comments on all points of interest, location of the restaurants, location of the toilets, fountain watering times during Grandes Eaux Musicales (April to October only) and how to reach the Trianon Châteaux and the Hameau of the Queen. Now, click on “Marie Antoinette’s Estate & Trianon Palaces” to book entrance tickets.
In the garden, you’ll see the Neptune, Dragon, Appolon and Mirror basins, plus a dozen others, as well as groves for the enjoyment of walkers.
If you wish, you can go straight to the garden without visiting the château:
The gardens are open every day from 8am to 8:30pm in high season (April to October) and from 8am to 6pm in low season (November to March), except for exceptional events and the Grandes Eaux Nocturnes (closing at 5:30pm).
Please note that the gardens may close at 5:30 p.m. in exceptional circumstances (last entry at 5 p.m.).
From March 29 to October 31, access to the gardens is subject to a fee from Tuesday to Sunday (days of Grandes Eaux or Jardins Musicaux). In this case, you have two options:
Buy a Passport (but it will be much more expensive, as you will have full access to the whole estate). In view of the overcrowding, only online booking will guarantee you access to the Château. If you prefer to buy on site, go to the Château ticket office in the Ministres Sud wing, or to the ticket offices of the Châteaux de Trianon. URL
If you only wish to visit the gardens, go to the Grandes Eaux/Jardins Musicaux ticket office at the entrance to the gardens. You can also buy tickets online. URL
Where are the different entrances to the Garden?
If you arrive at the Château’s main entrance, cross the Cour d’Honneur and pass through the Cour des Princes (to the left of entrance A for individuals and B for groups).
If you are inside the Château, exit to the gardens from the Cour Royale via the “Bois Sud” passage (on the left as you face the Château).
If you are arriving directly from the city, there are several entrances to the gardens, depending on what you wish to see (via the various gates on the estate).
Grille du Dragon – Boulevard de la Reine
Grille de Neptune – Avenue de Trianon
Grille de la Petite Venis – at the start of the Grand Canal
Grille de la Ménagerie – also at the beginning of the Grand Canal
To view the dynamic below map, click on “Access to Le Jardin”.
The Parc is also a part of the Versailles Tour
Located around the Grand Canal, the Park is also a part the Versailles Tour. It covers several hundred hectares and is free to enter.
Fee-paying vehicular access via the Grille de la Reine (Boulevard de la Reine) and Porte Saint-Antoine (Road D186)
The Park is open daily from 8am to 8:30pm in high season (April to October). Last admission: 7pm for vehicles and 8pm for pedestrians.
The park is open from 8am to 6pm in low season (November to March). Last access: 5:30pm.
Click on “Parc du domaine de Versailles” to view the dynamic map below, with detailed information and comments on all points of interest, different entrances, location of the restaurants, location of the toilets, location of the parkings, location of the Trianon Châteaux and the Hameau of the Queen.
The Grand Trianon, the Petit Trianon and the Hameau de la Reine
Our Versailles Tour includes also the Grand Trianon, Petit Trianon and Hameau de la Reine are open Tuesday to Sunday, from 12:00 to 18:30 in high season (April to October) and from 12:00 to 17:30 in low season (April to October). Allow 3 hours minimum for your visit. The gardens remain open until 7.30pm in high season and 6pm in low season.
Exceptionally, the Domaine de Trianon opens at 10 a.m. instead of 12 p.m. from Tuesday to Sunday until August 31, 2024!
Access
From the main Château, the Garden, the Park or directly from the city. From the city, access via the Grille de la Reine (Avenue de la Reine) or Porte Saint-Antoine (Road D 186). Access by car is subject to a fee (12 euros per vehicle), except for visitors with reduced mobility (upon presentation of proof).
Please note: the Porte Saint-Antoine is only open to vehicles at weekends.
What to see
The Grand Trianon, Petit Trianon and Hameau reveal an intimate Versailles far removed from the pomp and circumstance of the court. Marie-Antoinette loved to rediscover the pleasures of a simple, country life, far from the etiquette of the Court.
Click on “Châteaux du Trianon du domaine de Versailles” to view the dynamic map below, with detailed information and comments on all points of interest to visit of the Grand Trianon, the Petit Trianon and the Hameau of the Queen.
What souvenirs can you take away from your visit to the Domaine de Versailles?
To round off your Versailles Tour, you can stop off at one of the Boutiques du Domaine. They cover a wide range of products for the home, tableware, books, children and the “Château de Versailles” collections. The Château de Versailles boutique is also available online (click on “Boutique du Château de Versailles”) and offers a wide range of products inspired by the history of the estate, the great figures who have lived there from Louis XIV to Marie-Antoinette, and the museum’s collections. Limited editions, editions of fine books or exhibition catalogs, exclusive collections: each item is carefully imagined and selected.