Visiting Versailles is a must when you’re in Paris, especially if you’re traveling with your family. Here’s how to make the most of your day trip to Versailles, from how to get there to the best tips for exploring.

Check out How to Take Your Family to Paris Using Points and Miles to discover how you can fly to Europe for under $200 per person and enjoy a $0 hotel stay. Learn the insider tips and strategies for maximizing your rewards and making your dream Paris vacation affordable for the whole family!

Now back to Versailles!

Getting There: Train, Tour, or Uber?

There are several ways to get to Versailles from Paris, each offering a different experience.

1. By Train: One of the most convenient and affordable ways to get to Versailles is by taking the RER C train from Paris. It’s an easy ride from central Paris to the Versailles Château – Rive Gauche station, which is about a 10-minute walk to the Palace. The train takes about 30-40 minutes, making it a quick and straightforward option.
2. Book a Tour with Transport: If you’d rather not worry about the logistics, booking a guided tour with transport is a great choice. Many tours offer round-trip transportation from Paris, skip-the-line access, and a knowledgeable guide to help you navigate the palace and gardens. It’s hassle-free, especially with kids in tow.
3. By Uber: If you’re looking for more comfort or flexibility, taking an Uber is another option. It’s about a 45-minute drive from central Paris, depending on traffic. While it’s pricier than the train, it might be worth it for a more private and comfortable ride.

Arriving Early for the Best Experience

To maximize your experience at Versailles, it’s essential to get there early. Arriving for the first open slot of the day is the key to beating the crowds, especially during peak travel seasons.

The Palace opens at 9:00 AM, so it’s a good idea to arrive 15-20 minutes early. Once you enter the gates, head to the right and go straight to the Hall of Mirrors. This iconic room, where Louis XIV held grand celebrations, is a must-see. By getting there early, you can beat the crowds and have a better chance of capturing the stunning mirrors, chandeliers, and gilded decorations without the usual crowds in your photos.

Marie Antoinette’s Estate: A Fascinating Escape

A visit to the Petit Trianon, Marie Antoinette’s private retreat, is a must. Located on the Versailles grounds, this estate gives a peek into the personal life of France’s last queen. You can tour the small palace and walk through the gardens, where Marie Antoinette escaped the formalities of court life. My kids were really interested in her story, especially the fact that she enjoyed pretending to be a shepherdess in her rural-themed hamlet. I loved the kitchen gardens.

Exploring the Gardens: A Golf Cart Adventure

After spending a few hours exploring the palace, we decided to rent a golf cart to check out the huge grounds. The gardens at Versailles are massive, covering over 800 hectares, and are full of fountains, sculptures, and perfectly manicured lawns. Renting a golf cart was a lifesaver since we had already done a lot of walking around Paris and didn’t want to wear ourselves out.

The gardens were definitely one of my favorite parts of the trip. It’s hard to wrap your head around the scale and beauty, especially when you think about how they were built during a time of poverty in France. It’s crazy to consider the amount of money and resources spent on creating such a grand retreat. The kids loved driving around the gardens, which made for a fun and memorable experience for all of us.

Book Your Tickets in Advance

One tip I can’t stress enough: Book your tickets for Versailles in advance. We opted for the Paris: Versailles Palace and Gardens Full Access Ticket through GetYourGuide, and it was worth every penny. During peak travel seasons, tickets can sell out quickly, so don’t wait to book—secure your spot to avoid missing out on this incredible experience. With your full access ticket, you can skip the lines and go straight into the palace, saving you time.

Interesting Facts About Versailles

1. The Hall of Mirrors is not just for show—it’s where the Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919, officially ending World War I.
2. The Gardens are home to over 50 fountains, many of which are still powered by gravity from a massive reservoir at the top of the hill.
3. Louis XIV was known as the Sun King, and he wanted Versailles to be the center of his reign. The palace was constructed to reflect his power and wealth, leaving no expense spared.
4. The Grand Canal in the gardens is so large that it was once used for boat races.

During its peak, the Palace of Versailles was home to around 5,000 people, including the royal family, courtiers, servants, and other staff. This number includes:

• The royal family (King Louis XIV and his immediate family)
• Nobles and courtiers who lived there to gain favor with the king
• Servants and staff, including cooks, gardeners, seamstresses, and soldiers

The entire Versailles complex, including the palace and the surrounding grounds, employed tens of thousands of workers to maintain the gardens, buildings, and other royal affairs. In addition to those living in the palace, the total population working and living on the grounds of Versailles could have easily surpassed 20,000 people during the busiest times, especially when the court was in residence.

It was truly a small city, with a mix of privilege and hard work, and the sheer scale of the operation made it one of the most impressive royal estates in Europe at the time.

A Day to Remember

Visiting Versailles is a trip into the past, where you can immerse yourself in history, art, and opulence. Whether you’re marveling at the grandeur of the palace, learning about Marie Antoinette, or enjoying the gardens on a golf cart, there’s something for everyone in the family. It’s a day trip from Paris you won’t soon forget.

Travel to Paris for Pennies on the Dollar: Booking Your Stay with Points and Miles

If you’re looking to make your Paris trip even more affordable, booking your stay with points and miles is the way to go. There are several ways to maximize your travel rewards, from hotel loyalty programs to credit card points. You can easily use points to book stays at top hotels in Paris.

Additionally, using miles for flights to Paris can save you hundreds of dollars. By earning points through everyday spending and taking advantage of transfer partners and special promotions, you can turn your dream trip to Paris into a reality without breaking the bank.

Check out How to Take Your Family to Paris Using Points and Miles to discover how you can fly to Europe for under $200 per person and enjoy a $0 hotel stay.