A magnificent palace built by king Louis XIV, the Palace of Versailles is perhaps the most extravagant symbol of royalty in the whole of Europe. About an hour away from the heart of Paris, it sees more than 10 million visitors every year. Widely considered to be one of the most popular attractions of Europe, it mesmerises visitors with its decadent architecture, extensive gardens and whimsical fountains. A powerful symbol of the French Monarchy, it also offers a glimpse into the world of powerful kings and queens. Whether it is strolling through the passages that was once frequented by Queen Marie Antoinette or witnessing the Hall of Mirrors where many a courtier attended extravagant balls, the Palace of Versailles is sure to mesmerise you with its other-worldly charm.
Not sure how to go about choosing the right Palace of Versailles guided tour? Allow us to help:
Advantages of a Versailles Guided Tour
Skip the long lines
Though a skip the line tour of Versailles Palace is not absolutely necessary, it could save you a significant amount of time. The lines to enter the palace can be quite long, especially during peak tourist season. With a skip the line tour, you'll be able to walk right up to the front of the line and enter the palace without having to wait.
Expert guidance
Guided tours of the Palace of Versailles are a great way to learn about the history and architecture of this iconic French landmark. Your tour guide will take you through the main rooms of the palace, pointing out important features and sharing stories about its past. You'll also get to explore the beautiful gardens that surround the palace grounds.
Travel Luxuriously
Travel to the extraordinary Palace of Versailles by a top-of-the-line air-conditioned tour bus. You can explore this world-renowned site at your own pace with an expert guide! After your tour of the interiors stroll through the beautiful palace gardens and see an array of fountains, statues, and flower beds.
Travel with small groups
Travel with a group as small as 15 people max, and get an intimate experience of this beautiful palace. Best part of a small group? You get to ask as many questions as you want!
Easy navigation through the palace
The start of any tour at a historic place can be confusing. Where do you start from? Where do you end? Your tour guide will navigate you around the Versailles in the easiest and most effective way possible.
The Best Versailles Guided Tours
Guided Tours
Combo Guided Tours
Skip The Lines at The Versailles Palace
Choosing the Best Versailles Tour
1Guided Tour with Priority Access
Skip the long lines and gain priority access to the Versailles Palace with your local expert guide who knows stories and facts lesser known to people!
2Guided Tour with King's Private Apartments Visit
With Headout, you can get an up-close and intimate look at the life of French Royalty from a time gone by on this tour of the King's Private Apartments. You'll have priority access to the Palace of Versailles without even having to spend a minute waiting in line! Explore the lavishly decorated former living quarters of King Louis XV and XVI with an official Versailles English-speaking guide--areas that are rarely opened to the public.
3Versailles Gardens Tour Included
Take a trip to the magnificent Palace of Versailles in an air-conditioned coach or with low-cost train tickets from the city center and explore this world heritage site at your leisure with an expert guide! After your visit of the interiors, stroll through the gorgeous palace gardens and admire the numerous fountains, sculptures, and exotic flower beds.
4Combo with Giverny Gardens Tour
For an all-day, expertly guided tour of two of France's most well-known attractions with lunch included, travel by luxury coach from Paris to Giverny and the Palace of Versailles. While also getting to enjoy the charming and peaceful gardens of Giverny, the home of Claude Monet, take in the magnificent architecture of Louis XIV's favorite castle.
Versailles Tours Deconstructed - A Typical Guided Tour Experience
Hall Of Mirrors
The Hall of Mirrors is one of the most iconic rooms in the Palace of Versailles. It is renowned for its beautiful architecture and spectacular chandeliers. This grand room was used for a variety of purposes, including banquets, balls, and official ceremonies.
The Hall of Mirrors is located on the first floor of the Palace of Versailles. It is rectangular in shape and is approximately 73 meters long. The room is lined with a series of windows on one side, and a series of mirrors on the other side. These mirrors reflect the sunlight and create the illusion of a much larger space.
King's State Apartment
The King's State Apartment is the most splendid and opulent room in the Palace Of Versailles. It was used by the king as a throne room, audience chamber and bedchamber. The room is decorated with luxurious furniture, tapestries and paintings. The ceiling is painted with scenes from Greek mythology. The floor is covered with a beautiful Persian carpet. The windows are draped with heavy brocade curtains.
Queen's Apartment
The Queen's Apartment at the Palace of Versailles is a sumptuous space that was fit for a royal. The apartment consisted of several rooms, all of which were lavishly decorated with furniture, art, and other opulent items. The Queens Bedroom was perhaps the most extravagant room in the entire apartment, with its large four-poster bed, carved wood paneling, and gilded mirrors. Other rooms in the apartment included a library, a salon, and a dining room.
The Gardens
The Gardens at the Palace of Versailles are some of the most beautiful and meticulously kept gardens in the world. The gardeners here take great pride in their work and it shows in the immaculate condition of the flowers, bushes, and trees. Visitors can stroll through the gardens and admire the numerous sculptures and fountains that adorn the grounds. The gardens are truly a sight to behold and are a must-see for anyone visiting the Palace of Versailles.
Grand Trianon & Petit Trianon Palaces
The Grand and Petit Trianon Palaces are two of the most iconic buildings in the Palace of Versailles. The Grand Trianon was built by Louis XIV as a retreat from the formality of court life, while the Petit Trianon was built by Louis XV as a private residence for his mistress, Madame de Pompadour. Both palaces are beautiful examples of French architecture and are well worth a visit when visiting the Palace of Versailles.
Le Hameau de la Reine (The Queen's Hamlet)
The Queen's Hamlet is a group of buildings in the Palace of Versailles that were built for Queen Marie Antoinette. The hamlet was built between 1783 and 1786, and was designed to be a private retreat for the queen and her family. The hamlet includes a house, a mill, a dairy, and a mock-village. The buildings are all built in a rustic style, and are surrounded by gardens and parks.
Chapelle Royale
The Chapelle Royale is one of the most iconic buildings in the Palace of Versailles. It was built in the 17th century and is considered one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture. The Chapelle Royale is home to the Royal Chapel Choir, which is one of the oldest and most prestigious musical ensembles in France. The Chapel is also the final resting place of many French kings and queens, including Louis XIV and Marie Antoinette.
Are Vesailles Tours Worth The Hype?
There's no doubt that a guided tour of the Palace of Versailles is worth your time and money. After all, it's one of the most iconic and significant royal residences in all of Europe. Built in the 17th century for King Louis XIV, the palace served as the seat of power for the French monarchy for centuries. Even today, it remains one of the most popular tourist destinations in France.
With a guided tour, you'll have the opportunity to explore all of the palace's opulent rooms and chambers, including the famous Hall of Mirrors. You'll also learn about the fascinating history of the royal family that once lived there. If you're interested in French history and culture, a guided tour of the Palace of Versailles is definitely worth your while.
Palace of Versailles: Practical Information
Opening Hours
The Palace
Tues - Sun from 9AM to 6:30PM (high season) 5:30PM (low season)
Last entry to the palace is at 6PM (high season) and 5PM (low season)
Carrosses Gallery (The Royal Stables) Hours
Tues - Sun from 12:30PM to 6:30PM
Last entry is at 6PM
The Gardens
Open every day, between 8.00 AM and 6.00 PM
Getting to the Versailles Palace
- 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.
- 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.
Insider Tips
Here are some handy tips to keep in mind while booking your Madrid Royal Palace tour:
- If you are planning to visit the Palace of Versailles, be there as early as possible. Otherwise, you will waste precious time waiting in line.
- If you don't want to wait in line anyway, buy Skip-The-Line tickets!
- The golden rule for avoiding the crowd is to plan your trip on a weekday.
- To make your visit hassle-free purchase your Versailles ticket well before time.
- It is advisable to invest in a Versailles tour so that you get to make the most of your visit. Moreover, guided tours often include many areas that are off-limits to the public.
- If you want to beat the crowd, consider going in late spring or early fall.
- If you do decide to visit the palace during summers, make sure that you stay on for the fireworks show.
- opt for a nice picnic lunch in the gardens. Despite the crowd, it will be easy for you to find a quiet little spot because of the sheer size of the gardens.
- Leave your luggage at home. Due to security reasons, you won't be allowed with large bags.
FAQs
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