How to Plan the Best Paris to Versailles Day Trip

No Paris holiday would be complete without a trip to the magnificent Palace of Versailles, the highlight of French monuments.

Versailles is conveniently located in the city center and provides a flavor of French royal extravagances, lovely gardens, and grand buildings.

If history, culture, or an entertaining day out is on your list, booking beforehand will enable you to make the most of your holiday.

In this article, we’re going to inform you of all that you might wish to do in planning a hassle-free day trip to Versailles from Paris, from getting there to things that you absolutely must see and insider tips behind the scenes so that you can get the most out of the experience.

Getting to Versailles

There are different ways of getting to Versailles, depending on budget and preference.

1. By Train (RER C Line)

A very inexpensive and convenient mode of travel to Versailles is by the RER C train from central Paris.

Travel time is 45 minutes, and the closest station to the palace is Versailles Château–Rive Gauche. The grand palace entrance is a 10-minute walk away from there.

Train Cost: Around €4 single ticket
Departure Points: St-Michel Notre-Dame, Musée d’Orsay, or Champ de Mars Tour Eiffel

2. By Shuttle or Bus

There is direct transportation from Paris to Versailles offered by different tour groups and shuttle operations. They have a comfortable drive with commentary in case you’re not up to the hassle and want the convenient option.

3. By Taxi or Car

It takes approximately 30-40 minutes by car, traffic permitting. Parking is scarce, though, so get there early. You may take a taxi or ride-hailing services, but this might be extremely pricey.

4. Take a Guided Tour

To prevent stressing out and to learn on a study tour, many visitors choose to book a Versailles tour from Paris. Priority entry, transfers, and guides with on-hand knowledge at providing some interesting historical facts on the palace are normally included in most tours.

Best Time to Visit Versailles

Avoid the crowd, and the most ideal time to go to Versailles is weekdays during the morning. The palace is closed on Mondays, and the weekends are crowded.

The ideal months to go are spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October) since the weather is pleasant, and the gardens are in full bloom.

Top Attractions in Versailles

There are a lot of great tourist attractions all over Versailles loaded with historical references. So, if you want a list of places to visit in Versailles, here is a whole list of it below.

Most Popular Paris Day Trips to Palace of Versailles

These are the top-rated day trips to Versailles that you need to book fast, because they fill up really quick, so try to book as early as possible.

Popular Versailles Day Trips from Paris:

Versailles Skip-the-Line Guided Tour & Gardens

‣ Optional garden tour

Palace of Versailles & Gardens

‣ Audio tour; choose a half day or a full day tour.

Giverny & Versailles Guided Day Trip

‣ See both of these famous tourist attractions in one day.

Versailles Bike Tour with Palace & Queen’s Farm Entrance

‣ This is a tourist must try; it is a highly rated tourist attraction that you need to check out.

Traveling to Versailles on your Own? Book tickets with a reserved time slot for fast entry.

Versailles Palace & Gardens Full Access Ticket This includes the entire Estate, that is: 3 palaces, the gardens that includes (Musical Gardens or Fountain show from April – October), & Marie-Antoinette’s Hameau (farm and village)

1. The Palace of Versailles

The palace is the feature attraction, its 700 gorgeously decorated rooms smell of history and beauty, all of which are of the royal sort and of exquisite artworks. Among the most sought-after attractions are:

The Hall of Mirrors: An awe-inspiring picture gallery that is made up of 357 mirrors that revive the grandeur of Versailles.
The King’s State Apartments: The imperial living rooms of King Louis XIV.
The Queen’s Hamlet: A small village especially constructed for Queen Marie Antoinette.
The Royal Chapel: In 1770, 15 year of Louis XVI married the 14 year old Marie Antoinette.
Art at Versailles Palace: There are 33 huge paintings showing 1500 years of French history in the Gallery of Great Battles, the largest room of the Palace.
Royal Opera House: Louis built this huge opera house out of embarrassment that the Palace of Versailles didn’t have an opera house.

2. Versailles Gardens

With a surface of more than 800 hectares, the gardens are a French landscape masterpiece. Don’t miss:

The Musical Fountains Show (daily during indicated days)
The Grand Canal, where there is boat rental
The Orangery, one beautiful greenhouse full of orange trees
The Grand Trianon Palace was built for Louis XVI as a private place for rendez-vous with his mistress.

3. The Trianon Palaces & Marie Antoinette’s Estate

A short walk from the palace center, Grand and Petit Trianon show us even more of the secluded royal life. The chateau is home to Marie Antoinette’s Hamlet, a charming little rustic hut constructed for the queen.

Smooth Visit Tips

To ensure that you have a smooth trip while you are at Versailles, here are a few things that you can try out. That way you are gonna have a great experience while traveling to Versailles.

Purchase Tickets in Advance – To get away from waiting time charges, purchase your tickets in advance online. A Passport Ticket gives entry to the palace, gardens, and Trianon estates.
Comfortable Shoes – Versailles is walked through, particularly the gardens.
Snacks & Water – There are cafes within, but not budget-friendly.
Weather – It’s all outdoors, so dress for it accordingly.

Last Thoughts

One day excursion from Paris to Versailles is a revelation of French decadence, culture, and history.

Head there, head for a visit to Versailles from Paris, whatever the medium, and do not worry even a bit because nothing is merely easy, trouble-free, and laid-back.

Let go all, wake up early, and proceed to experience one of the most sought-after attractions of France!