Standing as a grand emblem of Europran royalty, the Palace of Versailles was built by King Louis XIV, to epitomize his might. Spread over a vast area of 800 hectares, this palace served as the seat of French government from 1682 onwards. However, during the French Revolution it endured several assaults.
This guide explaining the entrances of Palace of Versailles, also gives you all the information required to visit this opulent complex, including timings, visiting tips, and the right entrance to get the best views!
Palace of Versailles: Entrances
Depending on the experience you are looking for, there four entrances to choose from -- entrance A, B, H and the guided tour entrance depending upon your Versailles ticket type. Read on to find out everything you need to know about the Palace of Versailles entrances.
Palace of Versailles Entrances: The Main Entrance
To access the Palace of Versailles, all visitors have to first enter through the grille d’Honneur or the main entrance. Whether you are yet to purchase a ticket or if you have already booked one online, you have to pass through the grille d’Honneur and the security check. Once you pass through the main entrance, you will find yourself at the cour d’Honneur or the Courtyard of Honour. Truly magnificent with its gilded panels, the Gate of Honour in itself is a sight to behold.
Palace of Versailles: Entrance A
Reserved for those visitors who already have their tickets with them, Entrance A is situated towards the top of the Cour d'Honneulr, at the left-hand side. If you have booked your tickets online, you can directly proceed to Entrance A without making a stop at the Ticket Office. Entry for those who are eligible for free admission is also through Entrance A in the Dufour Pavilion. Those who are eligible for free admission are:
Children who are under-18, European Union residents under 26 years of age, schoolchildren, people with disabilities and the person accompanying them etc.
If you do qualify for free entry, do not forget to carry a document proving your right to free entry along with your id card.
Palace of Versailles: Entrance B
The second of the Palace of Versailles entrances is the entrance for those visitors who have purchased a ticket for a group tour of the Palace of Versailles. Known as Entrance B, it is located at the top of the Cour d'Honneulr, towards the right-hand side, this entrance usually sees fewer crowds.
Palace of Versailles: Entrance H
This entrance is reserved for differently-abled visitors and those who are accompanying them. Located towards the left side of the courtyard, it sports various ramps and an elevator that can be accessed by differently-abled visitors. The distance between the front gate and the entrance to the building is around 200 meters. If you let the guards at the gate know that you are differently-abled, you can take your car or taxi up till the entrance. The staff will also assist you in bypassing the lines by escorting you to the ramps.
Palace of Versailles: Guided tour entrance
Another one of Palace of Versailles entrances is the guided Palace of Versailles tours entrance. If you have booked a guided tour, head over to the North Ministers Wing located towards the right side of the Cour d'Honneur. This special entrance sees fewer crowds. Visitors can expect to stand in line for about 10-15 minutes, as compared to the 30 minutes it would take at Entrance A.
Recommended Palace of Versailles Tours & Tickets
For a speedy and seamless entry, buying your Palace of Versailles tickets online in advance is highly recommended.
Palace of Versailles: Getting there
The Palace of Versailles is located approximately 12 miles (30 minutes) West of Paris, in the village of Versailles.
By RER or SNCF train
Take the RER line C to Versailles Château - Rive Gauche train station, which is just 10 minutes away from the palace.
Take the SNCF train to Versailles Chantiers train station which is 18 minutes away from the palace or to Versailles Rive Droite train station, which is 17 minutes away.
By Bus
171 of the RATP bus system runs between Pont de Sèvres and the Palace of Versailles. It takes approximately 30 minutes for the journey.
By Car
Drive along the Autoroute A13 towards Rouen and take Exit 6. You can expect a cab fare of about €70 if you are traveling from Paris to Versailles.
Palace of Versailles: Opening hours
Tuesday to Sunday from 9 AM to 6:30 PM (high season) and 5:30PM (low season)
Last entry to the palace is at 6 PM (high season) and 5 PM (low season)
Carrosses Gallery (The Royal Stables) hours
Tuesday to Sunday from 12:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Last entry is at 6 PM
Daily from 8 AM to 6 PM
Pedestrians can access the garden via:
The Main Gate (till 5.30 PM)
The Chapelle Gate (till 5.30 PM)
The Dragon Gate (till 6 PM)
The Neptune Gate
The Menagerie Gate
The Little Venice Gate
Palace of Versailles: Know before you go
- The Palace is open every day from 9:00 am, except on Mondays. However, if you are planning to visit the estate of Trianon and the Coach Gallery, they open only in the afternoon.
- You can visit the Palace of Versailles Gardens at no cost, except during the days of the fountain shows.
- You can access the estate of Trianon both through the Gardens and through the city.
- The closest train station to the Palace is Versailles Château Rive Gauche.
- Due to security reasons, visitors are not allowed to carry large backpacks, metal baby carriers etc on their visit. They should be deposited at the storage facility provided.
- To make the most of your visit, grab the Palace of Versailles Passport Entry ticket and visit Marie Antoinette’s Estate, the King's Private Apartments, as well as the stunning fountain shows.
- The best time to visit the Hall Of Mirrors is ideally between mornings and afternoons, preferably on weekdays. This helps you beat the crowd and queues.
Palace of Versailles: Visiting tips
Reach early: If you don’t want to waste precious time waiting in line, reach as early as possible. The palace is one of the most popular attractions in the city and tends to get quite crowded. If you are not a morning person, go in the evening instead.
Go on a weekday: Avoid visiting the Palace of Versailles on the weekends at all costs. The crowds during the weekend tend to be the largest. Instead, visit the palace on a weekday when the crowd is manageable.
Buy your ticket in advance: Because of the large number of people visiting the palace on any given day, getting through the security check and the line at the ticket counter can take quite a few hours. In order to avoid this, you can consider purchasing your Versailles ticket in advance.
Go on a guided tour: The only way to truly make the most of a landmark like the Palace of Versailles is by going on a guided tour. Your tour guide will explain to you the rich history and culture the palace represents. Moreover, guided tours often include many areas that are off-limits to the public.
Plan your visit for the offseason: If you want to avoid the crowd, the best way to do so is by planning your trip in late spring or early fall. You will find that the number of visitors during this time is significantly less. The weather too remains quite pleasant.
FAQs
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