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Palace of Versailles Tours and Activities
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Formerly a humble hunting lodge, the Palace of Versailles (Chateau de Versailles) is the extravagant creation of Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King. Embellished to epitomize royal decadence (the inequality of which tindered the French Revolution), Versailles features 700 rooms replete with frescoed ceilings and carvings, plus the Versailles Gardens (Jardins de Versailles), which brim with geometrically designed walkways and fountains. No visit to France is complete without experiencing the grandeur.
The Basics
Visiting every one of the palace's 700 rooms would take days, so a Versailles guided tour that visits the highlights is indisputably the best option. Gold-framed windows let light into the Hall of Mirrors, while priceless antique furniture decorates the King's Grand Chambers. The Royal Chapel features a number of columns, and in the gardens, the Grand Canal dominates while the Musical Fountains dance to classical music.
Lines can be long, often exceeding two hours, so purchase a skip-the-line ticket to spend less time waiting and more time exploring the Versailles Palace and Gardens. Various combo tours include skip-the-line entry at both the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre museum and a Versailles Palace tour, allowing you to maximize your time in Paris. History buffs should consider a private tour for tailored insight into the residence's history, particularly Marie Antoinette's exile in the Grand Trianon and Petit Trianon, while active travelers can tour Versailles by bike to cover more ground in less time. On a full-day tour, fans of Impressionist art can combine Versailles with a visit to Giverny, the village that inspired Claude Monet's water lily paintings.
How to Get to the Palace of Versailles
The palace is set in the small township of Versailles, 13 miles (21 km) outside of Paris, and is easy to reach by train. Catch RER C from Paris to Versailles Rive Gauche station, only a 10-minute walk from the palace. You can also catch the SNCF train from Paris Montparnasse station to Versailles Chantiers or from Paris Saint Lazare to Versailles Rive Droite station.
When to Get There
The Basics
Visiting every one of the palace's 700 rooms would take days, so a Versailles guided tour that visits the highlights is indisputably the best option. Gold-framed windows let light into the Hall of Mirrors, while priceless antique furniture decorates the King's Grand Chambers. The Royal Chapel features a number of columns, and in the gardens, the Grand Canal dominates while the Musical Fountains dance to classical music.
Lines can be long, often exceeding two hours, so purchase a skip-the-line ticket to spend less time waiting and more time exploring the Versailles Palace and Gardens. Various combo tours include skip-the-line entry at both the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre museum and a Versailles Palace tour, allowing you to maximize your time in Paris. History buffs should consider a private tour for tailored insight into the residence's history, particularly Marie Antoinette's exile in the Grand Trianon and Petit Trianon, while active travelers can tour Versailles by bike to cover more ground in less time. On a full-day tour, fans of Impressionist art can combine Versailles with a visit to Giverny, the village that inspired Claude Monet's water lily paintings.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The palace is incredibly popular—book a skip-the-line ticket to save time.
- The majority of tours from Paris include hotel pickup and drop-off.
- Select a tour that combines round-trip transport with an audio guide for a self-guided experience.
How to Get to the Palace of Versailles
The palace is set in the small township of Versailles, 13 miles (21 km) outside of Paris, and is easy to reach by train. Catch RER C from Paris to Versailles Rive Gauche station, only a 10-minute walk from the palace. You can also catch the SNCF train from Paris Montparnasse station to Versailles Chantiers or from Paris Saint Lazare to Versailles Rive Droite station.
When to Get There
At night, when the palace lights are illuminated and the sun has set, the gardens' Musical Fountains are at their most magical. Visit the Versailles Gardens on a Saturday evening between June 17 and September 16 to see a particularly special fountain performance crowned with a fireworks display.
Address: Place d'Armes, Versailles, Ile-de-France 78000, France
Hours: Tues–Sun 9am – 6:30pm in summer; 9am – 5:30pm in winter. Gardens and park open daily. Closed Jan 1, Apr 5, May 1, May 24, Nov 1, and Dec 25.
Admission: Varies
116 Tours and Activities to Experience Palace of Versailles
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Versailles Palace Priority Access Guided Tour Optional Show & Pickup from Paris
244
Surround yourself in the grand spectacle of the Versailles palace and gardens on a small-group tour from Paris. Enjoy pickup from your Paris hotel, then breeze past the queue at Versailles and take a small-group tour through the castle’s ornate interior. Discover the rich tastes of Louis XIV, who built the enormous 700-room complex, adorning the space with extravagance and luxury. Then take a leisurely stroll in the palace gardens before returning to Paris.
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US$147.43
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US$147.43
Skip-the-Line Versailles Palace & Gardens from Paris with Optional Fountain Show
709
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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US$83.49
From
US$83.49
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
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Versailles Palace Skip the Line Audio Guided Tour & Gardens Access from Paris
179
Travel back in time to the site of France’s most extravagant monarch with this 2.5 hours guided audio tour of the Palace of Versailles. Fast-track entry allows you to skip the lines at this UNESCO World Heritage site, and you’ll arrive in style in a fully air-conditioned coach. Spend time exploring one of France's most famous and impressive landmarks.
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US$83.63
From
US$83.63
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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Versailles Bike Tour with Skip-the-Line Entrance to Palace
645
Pedal your way around the parks of Versailles and enjoy skip-the-line entrance to the magnificent palace on this full-day tour from Paris. Learn the secrets of palace life, the truth about Marie Antoinette and the palace’s role in the French Revolution on a bike tour of Marie-Antoinette's Hamlet and the Petit and Grand Trianons. Next, bypass the queue and head straight inside the Palace of Versailles, where you have time to explore independently and discover the King’s apartments and famous Hall of Mirrors.
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From
US$121.74
From
US$121.74
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
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Versailles Palace & Giverny's Monet House Day Trip with Lunch from Paris
1420
Many visitors to France make time to visit both the Palace of Versailles and Monet's Impressionist garden at Giverny. This day trip from Paris allows you to do both. First, wander through the lush landscape around the artist’s residence, which served as inspiration for his Nymphéas (Water Lilies) series. After lunch, head to Versailles and visit Louis XIV's lavish royal palace. On particular dates, you see the fountains on display.
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US$232.43
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US$232.43
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Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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Small-Group Versailles Guided Tour from Paris
62
Escape the city of Paris for a day, and go on a tour to Versailles, which is known for its magnificent regal architecture. Travel in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle to Versailles, which takes the stress out of organizing transport. Conveniently, an entrance ticket to the Palace of Versailles is included, so you beat the crowds. Your guide enriches your experience with stories about the area’s royal history.
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US$171.40
From
US$171.40
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Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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Versailles Palace Guided Tour with Gardens & Fountains Show from Paris
959
Imagine how the extravagance of Versailles was part of everyday life for Marie Antoinette during a 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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US$109.45
From
US$109.45
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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Best of Versailles Domain Skip-the-Line Access Day Trip with Lunch from Paris
540
Delve into the Versaille’s visionary architectural array on a comprehensive full-day tour from Paris. 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 for a gourmet 3-course lunch (if option selected). Conclude with a visit to the Queen’s Hamlet and the Grand Trianon.
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US$218.90
From
US$218.90
Day Bike Tour of Versailles from Paris
1665
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 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 hamlet, the Petit Trianon, and the Grand Trianon. Stop by the Grand Canal before heading inside the Palace of Versailles with skip-the-line admission.
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US$119.80
From
US$119.80
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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Small Group Versailles Palace, Gardens & Fountains, Hamlet, Day Trip Guided Tour
1254
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, see the Royal Apartments, and 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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US$307.45
From
US$307.45
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Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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Versailles Palace and Gardens Tour by Train from Paris with Skip-the-Line
54
There are few palaces as world-famous as Versailles, but with some 10 million annual visitors, you could spend longer queuing outside than exploring inside. This half-day tour from Paris ensures a hassle-free experience with round-trip train transfers from the city, skip-the-line entrance, and a guided tour of the staterooms, palace gardens, and Marie Antoinette’s hamlet (if option selected).
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US$114.57
From
US$114.57
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Face masks provided for travelers
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Giverny's House & Gardens plus Versailles Palace Day Trip with Lunch from Paris
70
The Palace of Versailles is one of the most visited attractions in France, but many tours only visit the palace itself. This full-day tour from Paris includes a visit to Claude Monet’s home Giverny; lunch at a spectacular riverfront location; a guided tour of Versailles; and a chance to see the popular Musical Fountain show.
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US$260.72
From
US$260.72
Skip the Line: Versailles Palace and Gardens Day Trip from Paris by Train
640
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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US$90.75
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US$90.75
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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Versailles Palace Skip The Line Access Half Day Private & Tailored Guided Tour
23
During this private excursion, beat the crowds at the popular Palace of Versailles with skip-the-line admission tickets, while learning more from your professional art historian guide than travelers exploring independently. Ideal for first-time visitors or those on a time budget, visit the palace, gardens, the Hall of Mirrors, and more, in only half a day.
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From
US$399.32
Price varies by group size
From
US$399.32
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
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Palace of Versailles Skip the Line Audio Guided Tour & Access to Queen's Hamlet
14
Discover the golden age of French royalty on a full-day trip from Paris to the Palace of Versailles, with skip-the-line access and a self-guided audio tour. Explore the stunning chateau at your own pace, and 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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US$109.45
From
US$109.45
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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Giverny and Versailles Small Group Day Trip from Paris
741
Uncover history and art on a small-group, full-day tour from central Paris. Explore Giverny, including its tranquil water lily gardens at Monet’s house. Indulge in lunch at Moulin de Fourges and then discover the splendor of the Palace of Versailles with its decadent Hall of Mirrors and gardens.
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From
US$307.44
From
US$307.44
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More