A guide to Versailles, France

The extravagant Château de Versailles, in a leafy, affluent suburb 22km southwest of central Paris, is a short train ride away from the capital. Sprawling over 900 hectares, the monumental complex is one of the most-visited attractions in France, receiving nearly 10 million visitors every year. Unsurprisingly, visiting is often a very crowded and slightly chaotic experience. But it is possible to see Versailles in a more intimate, magical way.

The estate is divided into three main sections – the 580m-long château is flanked by gardens, canals and pools to the west, and by the Trianon Estate to the northwest. Use the tips in this guide to get the most out of a visit to the palace and gardens at Versailles.

The history of Versailles

A modest hunting lodge was expanded to create this grand palace, starting in 1661, under the guidance of architect Louis Le Vau (Jules Hardouin-Mansart took over from Le Vau in the mid-1670s). Interiors were created by painter and interior designer Charles Le Brun, while the grounds were styled by landscape artist André Le Nôtre, whose workers flattened hills, drained marshes and relocated forests as they laid out the gardens, ponds and fountains.

Le Brun and his hundreds of artisans decorated every spare corner of the interior with the most luxurious and ostentatious of appointments, from frescoes and marble to gilt and wood carvings, often using themes and symbols drawn from Greek and Roman mythology.

Versailles was the kingdom’s political capital and the seat of the royal court from 1682 up until 1789, when thousands of civilians marched on the château. Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were ultimately dragged back to Paris, where they were guillotined.

Versailles was later home to Napoleon and Josephine, who lived on the estate in the 19th century, and Charles de Gaulle, who lived there in the 1940s.

Few alterations have been made to the château since its construction, but most of the interior furnishings disappeared during the Revolution, and many of the rooms were redecorated by King Louis-Philippe, who opened part of the château to the public in 1837.

What’s the best way to see Versailles?

Prepurchase tickets and head straight to Entrance A – lines for the ticketless stretch seemingly forever. For the full Versailles experience, including the palace, gardens and Trianon estate, get a Passport ticket for €35 for non-European visitors in the high season (April 1 to October 31) or €25 during the rest of the year. Additional charges apply for food, bikes, boats and the mini train. Ticket prices are reduced after 3 or 4pm, depending on the season. Admission to the gardens is free from November 1 to March 31.

One of the best ways to see Versailles is on a guided tour. This will not only give you a deeper understanding of the palace and its history, it will also take you into private rooms that are not open to the general public. If you prefer to DIY, you can reserve an audioguide (available in multiple languages) or download the Palace of Versailles app before you arrive – and look through it in detail – to get the most out of your visit.

There is also an interactive online map, showing which facilities are available in each location. It includes information on where to find free phone charging stations, so you can keep your cell phone topped up for the whole day.

It’s worth noting that French workers frequently go on strike due to industrial disputes, so be sure to check the opening hours in real time, as these could be affected by industrial action on the day of your visit.

What’s the best time to go to Versailles?

Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays are your best bet. Avoid Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays – the busiest days. Versailles is closed on Mondays.

The earlier you arrive, the less likely you are to end up sharing the experience with hordes of other wide-eyed visitors. The gates to the park open at 7am. If you’re arriving by car, you'll need to enter via the Queen's Gate (€12 per vehicle). The palace itself opens at 9am, and the neighboring Trianon Estate opens at noon. Trianon is home to the Grand Trianon and Petit Trianon palaces, as well as the Hameau de la Reine – a mock hamlet created for Marie Antoinette – and a variety of ornamental gardens, so leave enough time to see it all.

There are also occasional special events at the Château de Versailles to time a visit around, such as the European Night of Museums in May or the Fêtes Galantes, an elaborate 18th-century-style costume ball in June. Fêtes Galantes is pricey, but it delivers an immersive evening with live baroque music, demonstrations of period entertainments and games, and dancing lessons – in case you’re not already well-versed in the minuet. And once the ball draws to a close, there is a spectacular fireworks show which revelers view through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Hall of Mirrors.

How much time should I spend at Versailles?

Ideally, you’ll spend all day at Versailles to see and experience as much as you can. There are multiple dining options to keep you going during the day, or you can BYO picnic and eat in the park.

Beyond drooling over the displays of aristocratic wealth, memorable experiences at Versailles include boating on the Grand Canal, cycling on rented bikes and riding around the park on an electric train. When you’ve had enough of Versailles, the neighboring Trianon Estate is also worth a visit for an hour or two.

The top things to do at Versailles

Here are the don't-miss attractions at this flamboyant palace.

The Hall of Mirrors

The palace’s opulence peaks in its shimmering Galerie des Glaces (Hall of Mirrors). This 75m-long ballroom shines with sparkling mirrored features, totaling 357 individual mirrors on one side and an equal number of windows overlooking the gardens and the setting sun on the other.

The King’s and Queen’s Apartments

Luxurious, ostentatious appointments adorn every molding, cornice, ceiling and door in the palace’s Grands Appartements du Roi et de la Reine (King’s and Queen’s State Apartments), and lavishly styled rooms are dedicated to Hercules, Venus, Diana, Mars and Mercury.

Other notable rooms

Among the general opulent excess, various highlights are worth seeking out. The Galerie des Batailles (Battle Gallery) is longer than the Hall of Mirrors, and it features 33 huge paintings that recall mostly forgotten French military victories.

Take time to savour the thematic decor in the Salon de la Guerre (War Room) and the Salon de la Paix (Peace Room), which bookend the Hall of Mirrors.

The Garden, Grand Canal and Trianon Estate

You can unwind after the excitement of the palace with a wander around the sprawling and artful formal gardens and fountains of the Versailles estate, then go for a relaxing row on the Grand Canal. Some people head to the quieter green areas of the park to escape the crowds and enjoy a picnic lunch. Note that you can’t take food and drink into the palace, and bags need to be small.

The 17th-century Grand Trianon palace, 18th-century Petit Trianon palace and Hameau de la Reine are also highlights to add to your itinerary.

Can I visit Versailles for free?

The park and gardens are free from November 1 to March 31. Certain visitors, such as those under 18, can enter the palace for free; check whether you are eligible.

Is Versailles accessible?

Accommodations have been made for wheelchairs at the palace, and free entry is available for people with disabilities and their companions. A smooth walkway runs along Honor Courtyard from the Honor Gate, providing easier access to the Royal Gate and, from there, to the entrance for priority visitors (Entrance A).

Four-person electric carts are available for rent for people with reduced mobility, running on a limited set route covering a portion of the estate. Rental bikes and e-bikes will also allow you to explore more widely if walking long distances is a problem.

How do I get to Versailles?

Versailles is best reached on the RER C commuter rail line, which ends at Versailles Château Rive Gauche; the ride is around 40 minutes from central Paris. It’s a 10-minute walk from the station to the entrance gate. Other stations with Versailles in their names are much further from the château. There is also a combined Paris bus and Versailles Passport ticket available through Tootbus.

Can I stay overnight at Versailles?

It is possible to live out your Marie Antoinette fantasies (perhaps without the head-lopping bit) at a luxury hotel by the palace compound. The Airelles Le Grand Contrôle is an opulent 14-room hotel, created by architect and designer Christopher Tolleme. Designed in 18th-century style, with inspiration drawn from Louis XVI’s personal apartments, the hotel has a private spa by Valmont, and a restaurant from Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse (of Le Jules Verne fame).

This article was adapted from Lonely Planet’s Paris guidebook, published in March 2024.