The Palace of Versailles, a symbol of the power and influence of royalty that, to this day, captivates visitors. It is one of the most visited attractions in Paris. The Palace offers an incredible insight into French history, showcasing the luxurious and ostentatious lives that ancient monarchs used to have. Would you like to visit the Palace of Versailles? Well, we bring you a guide so you can enjoy it to the fullest. Keep reading!

Palacio de Versalles The Palace of Versailles
Image By Sergey Nemo from Pixabay

History of the Palace of Versailles

Located just 20 km from Paris, the Palace of Versailles was the main residence of the kings of France for more than 100 years until the French Revolution. What was previously a small hunting lodge was initially transformed into a real castle by Louis XIII, who bought the surrounding land to expand his park and gardens.

However, it was Louis XIV who turned this into a luxurious rural property. He moved the court to Versailles, forcing the nobility to spend more time away from their homes. Thus diminishing the ability of these to establish a regional power that could challenge it.

The first major construction to become the palace that it is today, began in 1661 and took almost twenty years to complete. The expansive construction and intricate interior designs were expanded over the following decades.

How to visit the Palace of Versailles?

The palace is located in Place d’Armes, Versailles. It is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm, the last entry being at 5 pm. It is closed on Mondays.

To access you must purchase the ticket “The Passport”. This gives access to all the tours of the palace, the musical fountain show, the musical gardens and the exhibitions. The lines to buy tickets are very long, so be sure to buy them in advance online.

There are several different areas of the palace and the grounds that you will want to visit during your trip:

• The gardens: They are beautiful and cover a large area of land. There are also many sculptures and fountains to admire.

The Palace of Versailles The gardens

• The Main Palace: This is where you will spend most of your time, at least 2 or 3 hours, as there are more than 2,300 rooms in the palace. Some of the most famous rooms are the Hall of Mirrors, Marie Antoinette’s bedrooms, and the King’s Apartments and the Royal Bedroom.

Palacio de Versalles The Palace of Versailles

• Estate of Trianon: These buildings are much less crowded than the main palace, although they are equally impressive.

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• The Queen’s Hamlet: This rustic getaway was built for Marie Antoinette in 1783 as a place where she could escape palace life and enjoy some private time with her closest friends.

Aldea Palacio de Versalles

Travel tips for the Palace of Versailles

Since this is one of the most popular tourist sites in the country, you will need some tips to help you save money, beat the crowds, and have a memorable visit.

Save money

Taking advantage of free tickets. For example, entrance to The Gardens is free during the low season (November to March) and on Wednesdays and Thursdays during the high season. Avoid weekends, during these days the palace is too crowded to enjoy it.

It is better not to eat in the palace

There are some restaurants in the palace that are really expensive. Eat elsewhere to save money. If you plan to sit and eat at the Palace, expect to pay at least 20 euros.

Avoid following the crowd

Most people see the palace first, then the gardens, and then Marie Antoinette’s estate. Go in reverse order to avoid the larger crowds.

Get there early

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Around 10 million people visit the palace each year (an average of more than 27,000 people per day). Expect lots of tour buses and queues. These buses arrive early, so you should arrive before them right when the palace opens.

If you can’t get there early, arrive at the end of the day when the crowds have calmed down and the tour groups have left. Try not to go at noon.

Get a guide

If you really want to immerse yourself in the palace, take a guided tour. Guided tours will cover specific areas of the palace, many of which are otherwise prohibited. One of them is The Private Apartments of the King’s. This is a 90 minute tour and it has an additional cost of 10 euros. It covers many rooms not seen by the public.

Buy a Paris Museum Pass

Although it will not allow you to bypass the long lines to get in, it will give you priority access once you are inside. Take advantage of getting a free audio guide at the palace. You can also download its free application to further enjoy your tour.

Enter for free

Free entry is available to everyone under the age of 18, as well as to EU residents under the age of 26. In addition, people with disabilities will also qualify for free entry. You just need to make sure you bring proper identification to see if you qualify.

When is the best time to visit the Palace of Versailles?

Summer offers the best climate, although you will also face larger crowds. For this reason, it is more advisable to visit the palace in the middle season, late spring and early fall. This way, you get a pleasant climate with significantly fewer crowds.

Is the Palace of Versailles worth visiting?

Of course! Millions of visitors every year confirm this. While it will require some planning, it is definitely a worthwhile visit. It will help you learn a lot about the history of France. In addition, you will appreciate one of the most incredible buildings in the world. No visit to Paris would be complete without seeing the Palace of Versailles!

The Palace of Versailles is one of the favorite places for many travelers who go to Paris. Although it is becoming much more crowded, there are ways to enjoy it. Marvel at the opulence, history and beauty of the palace and surrounding gardens. This place is really gigantic, so you should take your time, visit it without haste!

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