Palace of Versailles
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Versailles Palace - by Mathias P.R. Reding on Unsplash
Description
The Palace of Versailles (Chateau de Versailles in French) is the 2nd-most visited monument in the Greater Paris area after the Louvre. The estate was mostly developed under Louis XIV, the famous Roi-Soleil (Sun King), to accommodate the entire royal court and is truly massive in scale, especially when considering the expansive Gardens with its fountains and canals and the Domaine de Trianon (covered under a separate review). The highlight of the Palace for most visitors is the famous baroque Hall of Mirrors (Gallerie des Glaces) which was meant to convey the power of the monarch. This review is for a visit of the Palace and gardens.
Access & Transport
Versailles is about 20km to the southwest of Paris. For full flexibility, the best is to take the train - there are 3 options (do not let that confuse you, more optionality is better): a) RER C until Versailles Rive Gauche (500m walk), b) train from St Lazare station until Versailles Rive Droite (15mins walk) and c) train from Montparnasse to Versailles Chantier (15mins walk). There is also the Versailles Express bus from the Eiffel Tower, but timing is fixed (both ways) - please check on their website directly for additional information. Going by car is also straightforward but parking can be expensive - options include Place d'Armes in front of the Chateau or in the Domaine de Trianon (much cheaper but involves crossing the gardens). Access to the Domain is through the town or the Gardens.
Instructions & Recommendations
Note that the Domain only opens at 12h00 (whereas the Palace opens at 9h00). We recommend allocating about 3h for your visit but bear in mind the return journey from Paris and back would take another 2h. If you add a visit to the Palace and Gardens (slightly discounted entry "Passport" price for both), then plan of spending your entire day there. Do not forget to take some water and snacks with you.
Environmental & Social
We have little data on the energy consumption required to operate the palace, but the gardens are environmentally friendly. The activity has a positive social impact, not only does it preserve the country's cultural and architectural heritage but it employs directly and indirectly hundreds of people (building restauration and maintenance, gardeners, etc.) and is the economic heart of the town of Versailles.
Conclusion
We cannot recommend a visit to the Palace and the gardens highly enough - were the country still a monarchy we probably would not, but this is case closed in France, so fees go directly towards preserving the city's cultural heritage. And what a staggering display of wealth - always excessive but somehow beautiful. And the gardens nearly steal the show in the summer with the impressive canals and fountains
Key positive
Some unforgettable rooms such as the Hall of Mirrors
Beautiful gardens
Easy to get to as a day trip from Paris
Key negative
Can be very crowded during peak season and on weekends
High parking fee (if you drive there)
Suitability
Suitable for all ages but children under 12 are likely to find the visit boring quickly. Both the Palace and the gardens are accessible to visitors with reduced mobility.
About this Rating
TYPE
Onsite
RESEARCHED IN
May 2024
PROVIDER
Koreval
av. transport time:1h
est. visit time:3h 30m
Start of Season 1:Apr, 01
MONDAY -
TUESDAY09:00 - 18:30
WEDNESDAY09:00 - 18:30
THURSDAY09:00 - 18:30
FRIDAY09:00 - 18:30
SATURDAY09:00 - 18:30
SUNDAY09:00 - 18:30
Start of Season 2:Nov, 01
MONDAY -
TUESDAY09:00 - 17:30
WEDNESDAY09:00 - 17:30
THURSDAY09:00 - 17:30
FRIDAY09:00 - 17:30
SATURDAY09:00 - 17:30
SUNDAY09:00 - 17:30