Why visit / Interesting facts:
- One of the most magnificient palaces in the world
- World Heritage Site
- Beautiful gardens
Time required: 210 minutes
Phone: +33 1 30 83 78 00
Web site: http://en.chateauversail...
Opening hours:
| Time period | Opening hours |
|---|---|
| April 1 - October 31 - palace: | 9am - 6:30pm |
| April 1 - October 31 - garden: | 8am - 8:30pm |
| November 1 - March 31 - palace: | 9am - 5:30pm |
| November 1 - March 31 - garden: | 8am 6pm |
| Monday: | Palace closed |
| Jan 1, April 5, May 1, Nov 1 and Dec 25: | Closed |
Admission:
| Ticket type | Charge |
|---|---|
| Whole Versailles (on the Grandes eaux musicales and Jardins musicaux days): | 25 € |
| Whole Versailles: | 18 € |
| The palace: | 15 € |
| The garden: | Free |
| Under 18: | Free |
| EU citizens of ages 18-25: | Free |
| First Sunday of each month from Nov to March: | Free |
Public transport:
- RER C5: Rive Gauche station
Address: Place d'Armes, 78000 Versailles
Photos: (see more photos)
Photo: CpaKmoi
Things you need to know:
- Palace of Versailles (Chateau de Versailles) is one of the most extravagant palaces in the world
- Construction started in 1661 and took 50 years (1710) to turn Louis XIII's hunting lodge into this fascinating palace
- The king and his family lived in the Petits Appartements the reason why the king's and queen's rooms are so much overdone
- Highlight of the palace is the unbelievable Hall of Mirrors (71m, 223-ft) designed to reflect sunlight back into the garden to remind people that the Sun King, Louis XIV, lived here
- French royals lived such a decadent life here in a period of deep poverty that their excesses started the Revolution of 1789
- The treaty ending World War I, in 1919, was signed in the Hall of Mirrors
- It is a UNESCO World Heritage site
What to do there:
- Enter the palace and pick up a map and an audio guide (included in the admission fee)
- Visit all the rooms of the palace. The Hall of Mirrors will probably be the highlight of your tour
- Admire the beautiful gardens with lakes, canals, geometric flower beds, long avenues and fountains
Tips & Insights:
- During low season you can avoid the huge crowds, but the gardens are not so spectacular and the fountains do not work
- Try to purchase your tickets at the tourist bureau in Paris to avoid the huge lines
- Also, if you book online you might be able to avoid the long lines (unfortunately even the preferential access can also have a long line)
- An another way to avoid the long lines is buying your tickets from the vending machines on site (only accept cards)
