The Palace of Versailles is one of, if not the most famous, buildings in France. It was created by King Louis XIV between 1661 and 1682 and was meant to be an ostentatious palace that rivalled the splendour of any other monarchy’s creation.
The Palace underwent several renovations and additions over the years, including its turbulent history with Marie Antoinette and a two-hundred-year restoration in 1984 before finally re-opening to the public three years later.
To get to Versailles, you can use public transportation or a combination of buses and trains. Below are the best ways to travel to the Palace of Versailles.
How to get there:
The Palace of Versailles is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Paris, so booking your palace Palace of Versailles Tour and entrance tickets in advance is best. You can buy them online through their official website.
The Palace is just a short distance from Paris’ central business district and can be accessed by Metro, train or bus. A bus ride via Metro line C follows the best way to get there, or you can take a train from Paris’ main train station, Gare du Nord or Denfert-Rochereau and then take a bus ride.
Using public transportation:
S RER trains or RER line C2 (blue) will take you from Paris’ main train station, the Gare du Nord, or the Chatelet-les-Halles station (via an S RER train from Denfert-Rochereau).
The cost is 5.90€. The trip takes about an hour and a half. Once you arrive at Versailles-Rive Gauche train station, walk to the Palace’s entrance 15 minutes away.
Going from Paris’ main train station Gare du Nord:
RER Line C2 (blue) will take you directly to Versailles-Rive Gauche (30-40 minutes). From there, it’s a 15-minute walk to the Palace.
Using buses and trains:
Buses are about half the price of trains, and you can get information about bus times and stops at any Tourist Information Office or directly from the RATP website.
You can also take a direct Transilien R suburban train to Versailles-Rive Gauche Station, then take the first Versailles-Rive Gauche bus to the Palace (6.90 €, free pass on any bus). To arrive at Versailles-Rive Droite station in Paris, you can walk to the Palace in about 15 minutes.
The Palais des Tuileries is another beautiful French palace worth visiting in Paris. The Palace was constructed for Catherine de Médicis as a residence for her use and her husband, King Henri II.
It remained in their possession until 1661, and today it’s an excellent example of late 17th-century French architecture.
To get to the Palace of Tuileries, you can use public transportation or a combination of buses and trains. Below are the best ways to travel to the Palace of Tuileries.
Best time to visit the Palace of Versailles:
The Palace of Versailles is open every day except December 25th, January 1st and May 1st. The Palace’s hours are generally from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, but it is best to confirm hours before your visit.
The Palace is most crowded during July and August, as well as on national holidays and school vacations. If you plan on visiting during this time, purchase tickets in advance through their website or another ticketing site.
How Book Palace of Versailles tour:
The Palace is open most directly through its website but has several ticketing partners. Their official website is the best way to purchase tickets. There are also many travel agencies that you can buy them through.
Tour of Palace of Versailles:
(1 hour) : The tour takes you around the Palace’s interior and exterior by bus and lets you get up close with some of the sculptures and furniture. Guides will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have about the Palace’s architecture, history and decoration.
Tour guides will also be able to provide information about the French Revolution, the monarchy, and Marie Antoinette, among others. Note: For security purposes and photography restrictions, the tour stops at one of the Palace’s most famous rooms, which has several large paintings.
Tours with Bicycles:
(1 hour) : Tours are available with bicycles for those who wish to ride their bike around the Palace. Portions of this tour will still take place on foot, but you can ride your bike alongside your guide along Avenue de l’Impératrice, a scenic route throughout the grounds of Versailles. This tour is open to all ages, and bikes are not required to enter.
Amazing Views of Palace of Versailles:
One of the best places to view the Palace of Versailles is from a nearby park. The Jardin de Trianon gardens are adjacent to the Palace and offer incredible vistas from the Place d’Armes. The Place d’Armes is a beautiful circular plaza surrounding a large fountain with statues and sculptures and multiple large benches if you want to relax and take in nature.
You can also ride your bike around a sculpture court where various bronze sculptures are featured. If you’re visiting this area, take advantage of the Petit Trianon in nearby Trianon Park, which King Louis XIV once used as his retreat.
Tips for visiting the Palace of Versailles:
– There are audio guides available in the museum for a small fee that can be rented at the entrance gates.
– Only take as many pictures as you’d like and have your camera ready on your phone. Guards will not allow you to bring a camera inside the Palace.
– There is an extra fee and booking if you want to visit the chapel, pantry, and Cavalier house.
– A strict dress code is enforced at Versailles: no shorts, capris, skirts or sleeveless t-shirts are allowed. Men should wear long pants of dark colour like black, navy blue or grey.
Every visitor must wear closed shoes (heels, loafers or sneakers). Women should wear closed shoes and long dresses or skirts that go past the knee (nothing shorter than mid-thigh). Men and women must wear a shirt or sweater.
Buying Tickets:
– There are different options for buying tickets to the Palace, including a full palace ticket covering all three entrances, the Trianon Palaces, and Marie Antoinette’s Estate. If you plan on visiting several of the properties at Versailles, purchasing your tickets in advance through their website or another ticketing site is best.
– If you’d like to visit the Grand Canal in Paris, within walking distance from Palais des Tuileries you’ll only need to take a 15-20 minute stroll along the Seine River. The canal has several boats that will take you on a tour of Paris’ monuments while you sit back and relax.
– There are several restaurants inside the Palace, where you can enjoy a meal after your visit.
– 1 Metro ticket is valid for 75 minutes of travel on all lines (1, 4, 5, 9, 13) and can be used to transfer between lines. A new Metro ticket must be purchased for each line change. It is not valid for return or round trips on the same line.
Conclusion:
Visiting Paris in the Spring is one of the most beautiful times to visit this city as it basks in its luxurious warm weather. You can do many things if you have a few days to spend in Paris.
The Eiffel Tower and the Palace of Versailles are just two pillars that make Paris one of the most beautiful cities to visit, but there are so many more to see.
