The Palace of Versailles is one of the most iconic landmarks in all of France, and one of the most visited tourist destinations in the country. One of the marvels of 17th century European architecture, it was originally built as a royal palace, but has since been used to hold everything from prisoners during World War II to the Declaration of Human Rights after World War II. Explore this stunning destination with these fascinating facts about The Palace of Versailles in France.
What is Versailles?
Versailles, located in France, is a stunning palace built during King Louis XIV’s reign. This palace was built as a grand place for him to live while serving as French king. Versailles is known for its beauty, size and historical significance. Every year, it draws thousands of tourists who love to visit and marvel at its beauty. Versailles has a long history, with many significant events that have taken place there. For example, Marie Antoinette married the future king of France when she became Queen Consort of France on 10 October 1770. The two were then crowned king and queen on 11 May 1775! It’s amazing to think about how this event would have been an even more memorable occasion.
Of course, you can’t talk about Versailles without mentioning it’s breathtaking gardens. The parks were designed by Andre Le Notre, and a few are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In fact, there are two famous gardens within your estate: The Grand and Petit Trianon Gardens. At both sites, you’ll enjoy green spaces and can explore delightful fountains, grand walkways and more.
What do I need to know before going there?
The palace is open to visitors. There are ticket options ranging from €8 to €30. The site is only open April through October, and tickets sell out months in advance, so it’s best to book as soon as you know you want to go. It can take 2 hours or more to tour both outside and inside, depending on how many rooms you want to see, so make sure that you bring water if you plan on doing a lot of walking. There are plenty of places around the palace where you can hangout with friends or even have a picnic (outside, not inside!) with your family. There are also lots of cafes, shops, and other things for tourists to do in the area near the palace. Hang out at one of these after touring the palace and then head back to Paris when you’re ready! If you’re looking for something a little more touristy than just hanging out, there’s always shopping.
Tourists who visit often like to pick up souvenirs from their trip to remember their trip by- t-shirts, keychains, pins- anything goes!. Café de la Concierge has great food and amazing pastries too if you’re looking for some tasty French cuisine. Enjoying some cheese croissants or hot chocolate while sitting down in this cute café may be just what you need after being on your feet all day long!
Planning tips
A visit to Versailles is a must for every vacation. It’s important to have an idea of where you’re going and how long it will take to get there before you arrive, so plan ahead. Parking may be an issue, but it’s available for purchase close by. Take note that most museums are closed on Mondays and that many restaurants in Versailles don’t open until after 10am, so if your tour takes you there early in your trip, be sure to plan accordingly.
Note that Versailles is a huge area, so there are several different attractions you could visit in one day. For example, it’s possible to take in a guided tour of some parts of the Royal Apartments and Chambers, then walk around and see everything else. Tourist season begins in April and hits its stride during July and August when millions of people flock to France for vacation. Plan your trip accordingly to avoid any crowds, especially during high season.
It’s a good idea to show up early at Versailles, so you can see everything, as well as skip the crowds. You could also choose to just pick out a few of the attractions that are most interesting to you, and only visit those. Even if crowds don’t bother you, consider going to a little-visited site that’s part of your admission just because so many people don’t want to.
What should I wear?
In order to get an idea of what kind of attire is necessary, visit Le Petit Trianon. Although The Palace Of Versaille’s dress code isn’t strict, it is recommended that you dress modestly. Wear comfortable shoes; you’ll likely be walking a lot and not just from one building to another in The Palace Of Versaille because there are multiple buildings and courtyards to see throughout your visit! To make sure your day at The Palace Of Versaille goes smoothly with no headaches, make sure you’re prepared for all weather conditions by packing layers like rain gear. You don’t want to get soaked on your day at The Palace Of Versaille.
It’s best to avoid wearing any type of hat, due to security measures at The Palace Of Versaille. If you want to pack extra clothing or accessories like a camera or binoculars in your carry-on bag, make sure it isn’t too big and fits within The Palace Of Versaille’s guidelines for carry-on bags. You may be surprised by how large a bag can be, but most airlines will have specific rules regarding luggage which you can learn more about by visiting their website before heading out. Some airlines allow certain items to count as part of your one carry-on item, so check with your airline beforehand so you don’t have any surprises while on The Palace Of Versaille!
Where can I stay?
If you’re just visiting for a day or so, staying in Paris and taking a train to Versailles is an option. But you’ll spend most of your time traveling instead of exploring Versailles—not very efficient! You can stay in a hotel within walking distance from either palace (though they will likely be pricey), but booking them months in advance will make finding affordable rooms difficult. Instead, head 15 miles southwest to the town of Rambouillet; it’s got decent hotels at reasonable prices without being far from either attraction.
Tickets to visit each palace costs €17 (approximately $21.50). The less expensive alternative is to buy a combined ticket for €26 (around $33), which gives you access to both cathedrals. Or you can choose a guided tour, which only features commentary in French and English, for €8. You can get free audio guides, or use your smartphone if you don’t want to pay extra. If you want to skip the lines and go straight in, you will pay at least €35 ($44) per person for a standard ticket plus advance reservation. Would you like to spend some time at a picnic, just the two of us?
Before you go
Make sure you check out our travel guide before visiting Versailles. The palace is an absolute must for anyone looking to learn more about French history and see amazing architecture. And, believe it or not, it’s a lot less crowded in off-season months, so plan your trip around those dates if you can! Also make sure you go with friends; getting there by yourself might seem like a great idea at first, but it’s no fun just wandering around by yourself all day. Take advantage of one of our Eiffel Tower tours and Hangout with friends while touring Paris as well! It’ll help keep your stay busy and educational at once!
There are three things you’ll want to see if you plan on visiting The Palace of Versailles: You’ll have to go into two separate museums, one for Louis XIV and one for Marie Antoinette. If you only have a few hours or so, focus on getting in-and-out quickly because both are basically massive. And if you can, make sure to see both – they’re totally different!
