Versailles Chateau Gardens Tours
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Louis XIV’s Palace of Versailles takes the award for the most visited château in France, and the magnificent Versailles Château Gardens are world renowned. A series of beautifully landscaped gardens, show-stopping fountains, and tree-lined pathways covering 800 hectares (1,976 acres), the gardens center on the cross-shaped Grand Canal.
The Basics
The gardens of Versailles are famous for their spectacular musical fountain shows and evening fireworks displays, held throughout the summer months.
Most visitors opt to discover Versailles on a half-day tour from Paris. With wait times lasting up to two hours, it’s worth booking skip-the-line entrance tickets if you plan to visit both the palace and gardens. You can explore the gardens on a self-guided tour, but visiting with a tour guide can be helpful if you have limited time or want to learn more about their history.
Things to Know Before You Go
Plan at least two hours to explore the gardens.
Access to the gardens is free of charge, except on the days when Musical Fountains Shows take place.
Electric golf carts are available to rent, and a mini-train runs between the palace, the Trianon palaces, the Queen’s Hamlet, and the Grand Canal.
The Versailles Château Gardens contain a selection of restaurants and cafés, but picnics are not permitted.
It can be breezy in the gardens even in summer, so bring a jacket.
Free Wi-Fi points are located in the Main Courtyard and at the garden entrance, and a free Gardens of Versailles app is available to download.
All visitors to the gardens must pass through security checks, and no large bags or suitcases are permitted.
Access to the gardens is free of charge, except on the days when Musical Fountains Shows take place.
Electric golf carts are available to rent, and a mini-train runs between the palace, the Trianon palaces, the Queen’s Hamlet, and the Grand Canal.
The Versailles Château Gardens contain a selection of restaurants and cafés, but picnics are not permitted.
It can be breezy in the gardens even in summer, so bring a jacket.
Free Wi-Fi points are located in the Main Courtyard and at the garden entrance, and a free Gardens of Versailles app is available to download.
All visitors to the gardens must pass through security checks, and no large bags or suitcases are permitted.
How To Get There
The Palace of Versailles, 13 miles (21 kilometers) outside Paris, is easy to reach by train. RER C trains run from central Paris to Versailles Château Rive Gauche, a 10-minute walk from the palace. SNCF trains run from Paris Montparnasse station to Versailles Chantiers or from Paris Saint Lazare to Versailles Rive Droite station. On arrival at the palace, direct entrance to the gardens is through the Courtyard of the Princes.
When to Get There
The Versailles Château Gardens are open year-round, but by far the most popular time to visit is in high season (April to October) when Musical Fountains Shows, Musical Gardens, and Fountains Night Shows take place. On show days an admission fee is charged, and it’s best to visit early in the morning or just before closing to avoid the busiest periods. Visiting in low season means smaller crowds, but for conservation purposes the fountains are switched off, the groves are closed, and many of the statues are covered.
A Walking Tour of the Versailles Château Gardens
The masterpiece of landscape architect André Le Nôtre, the stunning gardens of Versailles offer scenic walks through groves, around formal parterres, and past spectacular fountains. Stride down the Royal Walk, gaze out across the Great Lawn, stroll around the Orangerie, and admire Marie Antoinette’s Grand Trianon and Petit Trianon palaces. Additional highlights include Apollo’s Baths Grove, the Mirror Pool, Ballroom Grove, the Neptune Fountain, and Apollo’s Fountain, which looks out across the Grand Canal.
Address: Place d'Armes, Versailles 78000, France
Admission: Varies
Tours & Activities (16)
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$212.54 USD
Palace of Versailles and Giverny Day Trip from Paris with Lunch
- See two of the top sights in France, the Palace of Versailles and Monet's garden at Giverny, during a day trip from Paris. This full-day tour allows you to visit both Louis XIV's lavish palace, plus the picturesque gardens of the Giverny home that inspired many of Claude Monet's most famous paintings in one tour.
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$86.63 USD
Skip the Line: Versailles Palace and Gardens Tour from Central Paris
- Immerse yourself in the opulence and drama of Versailles Palace and Gardens on a small-group tour from Paris to Versailles. With your ticket, breeze past the queue and join an expert guide for a fun and informative walk through the castle and gardens. Witness the extravagance of Louis XIV – the Sun King – who built up the massive 700-room complex, adorning the space with luxuries fit for the French monarchy.
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$283.62 USD
Giverny and Versailles Small Group Day Trip from Paris
- Explore the tranquil water lily gardens of Monet’s House in Giverny and the Musée des Impressionnismes-Giverny followed by a visit to the opulent Palace of Versailles in this day trip from Paris. Stop in charming Moulin de Fourges for lunch (included). A group size of no more than eight people maximizes personalized attention from your guide.
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$14.24 USD
Palace of Versailles Entrance Ticket with Audio Guide
- Get access to the magnificent Palace and Gardens of Versailles with this independent entrance ticket. Choose from six options to explore different areas of the Versailles estate, and marvel at the lavish palaces and grounds of what was the official residence of France’s kings during the 1700s. Witness the Palace’s Hall of Mirrors, admire the fountain-studded gardens, see the Trianons palaces; and visit Marie-Antoinette’s Estate, with her romanticized village. If you wish, choose a ticket that includes entrance to the Musical Fountains and Musical Gardens shows during summer.
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$296.68 USD
Viator VIP: Palace of Versailles Tour with Private Viewing of the Royal Quarters
- Tour the Palace of Versailles (Château de Versailles) in royal style with a small-group tour that includes a private visit to the Royal Quarters. These rooms are typically off-limits to the public, but with this exclusive VIP tour you'll see Louis XVI's private library and enter the palace through a reserved door to bypass the lines. Additionally, explore the famous Hall of Mirrors and two of the State Apartments when Versailles first opens, before it gets too crowded. Group size is limited to 16 and comes with priority entrance.
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$239.72 USD
Best of Versailles Day Trip from Paris including Skip-the-Line and Lunch
- Delve into the Versaille’s visionary architectural array on a comprehensive full-day tour from Paris. Travel by luxury minibus to the regal city and sail past long lines outside of the Palace of Versailles with your priority-access pass. Embark on a guided tour of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed wonder and see grand chambers like the Hall of Mirrors. Absorb the botanical beauty of the palace gardens, and then head to an esteemed restaurant by the Grand Canal for a gourmet 3-course lunch. Conclude with a visit to the Queen’s Hamlet and the Grand Trianon.
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$98.50 USD
Palace of Versailles Tour from Central Paris with Optional Fountain Show
- Imagine how the extravagance of Versailles was part of everyday life for Marie Antoinette during a 4-hour guided tour of the palace with an optional fountain show. Take advantage of skip-the-line access to avoid the long lines at the start of your tour. Gaze in wonder at the Royal Apartments and the Queen’s Apartments, and walk through the glittering Hall of Mirrors to the Salon de la Guerre and the Salon de la Paix. Plus explore the expansive gardens on your own after the palace tour.
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$117.48 USD
Versailles by Bike Day Tour
- The gardens of Versailles span an impressive 1,976 acres. Rather than exploring the sprawling grounds on foot, pedal your way around with an informative guide on this full-day Versailles bike tour from Paris. Discover a leisurely 10 miles of garden trails and tree-lined paths behind the palace, and reach parts of the grounds that visitors on foot do not frequent, including Marie Antoinette's country-style Hameau, the Petit Trianon and the Grand Trianon. Stop by the Grand Canal for a picnic lunch before heading inside the Palace of Versailles.
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$142.41 USD
Viator Exclusive: Versailles Palace and Marie-Antoinette's Trianon from Paris
- Experience the opulence of Versailles and Marie Antoinette’s personal palace, Le Petit Trianon, on a fascinating day tour from Paris. Enjoy a skip-the-line guided tour of the magnificent Palace of Versailles and see Marie Antoinette’s elaborate fairytale village and residence at the Queen’s Hamlet. Complete your royal tour with a stroll through the labyrinths and fountains of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Versailles Gardens.
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$112.74 USD
Small-Group Palace of Versailles Audio Guided Tour from Paris
- Go back in time to experience the opulence of the Palace and Gardens of Versailles on this small-group tour from Paris. Walk through the glittering Hall of Mirrors and see the Royal Apartments. Admire the enormous gardens and beautiful fountain displays. Weekend visitors from April to October can see the famous fountain shows. Choose either a half-day independent tour in either the morning or afternoon, or a full-day guided tour. Pick-up and drop-off at central Paris hotels is included to make everything hassle-free.
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$65.27 USD
Skip the Line: Versailles Half-Day Tour
- Spend a half-day exploring the unforgettable attractions of Versailles, the extraordinary gardens and opulent palace that are both on UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites. Follow a knowledgeable guide through the historic buildings and monuments of King Louis XIV's 17th-century residence, imagining the ornately-decorated Baroque rooms as a private home for the royal family and the nobility they entertained. Enjoy it all without waiting in the long queues, thanks to this skip-the-line admission ticket.
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$89.00 USD
Skip the Line: Versailles Palace and Gardens Day Trip from Paris by Train
- Don’t like to waste time waiting in lines? Book this half-day Palace of Versailles tour that includes round-trip train transport from Paris, a skip-the-line entrance ticket and an audio-guide. After reaching Versailles by RER train, an informative guide takes on you a pleasant 2-hour tour of the garden grounds. Then, sail past the queue at the palace and explore its stately rooms at your own pace before returning to Paris via train at a time of your choosing.
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$73.58 USD
Versailles Independent Tour from Paris
- This tour allows you to explore Versailles independently and includes round-trip transportation from Paris to help make things easier for you when traveling. Skip the hassle of figuring out your own transport and settle in for the ride to Versailles, listening to recorded audio commentary about the French landmark as you relax on the way over.
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$104.43 USD
Palace of Versailles with Skip the Line Audio Guided Tour and Access to the Queen's Hamlet
- Step back in time to the golden age of French royalty on a full-day trip from Paris to the Palace of Versailles, with skip-the-line access, comfortable transport and a self-guided audio tour. Explore the stunning chateau at your own pace, and learn about France’s royal intrigues and revolutions, as well as the kings and queens that lived in the palace. Enjoy time to visit the remarkable grounds and gardens, including access to the Grand Trianon, Petit Trianon and Marie Antoinette’s ‘hamlet,’ the queen's make-believe rural village and mill pond.
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$176.82 USD
Versailles Walking Tour with Optional Fountain Show
- Enjoy skip-the-line access to the Palace of Versailles to avoid the often-long queues. Explore the opulent palace and expansive gardens, and — in the summer — take in the optional Versailles Fountain Show. This is a great way to see this must-see attraction outside Paris.
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$237.34 USD
Private Tour: Best of Versailles Day Trip from Paris Including Skip-the-Line Palace of Versailles Tour and Grand Canal Lunch
- Spend a full day exploring the historic grandeur of Versailles with a private tour from Paris. Skip the long lines at the Palace of Versailles and wander through the mesmerizing Hall of Mirrors and the fantastically ornate apartments where French royalty once lived. Stroll through the sprawling palace gardens, and visit the Grand Trianon palace and Queen’s Hamlet — a recreated country village built as a private escape for Marie Antoinette. Midday, take a break for lunch with a gourmet three-course meal near Versailles’ Grand Canal.
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