Whether you’re a history buff or not, there’s no doubt that Versailles Palace is an awe-inspiring attraction. With its grandiose architecture and lush grounds, it’s easy to see why people have come to love this place.
Tips for Visiting Versailles Palace and Where To Get Your Tickets
So there are three sections to the estate you must visit. The Grande Trianon, The Petit Trianon, and the Queen’s Hamlet. These as well as the hall of mirrors must be at the top of the list. I would suggest looking into getting priority access for a 90-minute tour with an expert guide.
You really need to see a Musical Fountain Show. On days of the Musical Fountains Shows or Musical Gardens, the entrance to the Gardens is free entry only for children under 6 years old. The Musical Fountains Shows and Musical Gardens are open-air walking tours of their water features spouting to the rhythm of baroque music. Totally recommend this over the audio tours.
Take plenty of sunscreen, snacks and comfortable walking shoes for the line tour. You could be in for a long wait in the Summer.
Golf carts and bikes are available to rent to explore more of the formal gardens and beyond.
Opening hours: The palace is closed on Mondays but opens the rest of the week from 9 am to 5:30 pm. The estate of Trianon opens at noon.
Tickets: It’s best to get your Versailles tickets on pariscityvision.com online before you go. Look into booking quite far in advance in high season to get the time slot you want for your day trip. Avoid busy weekends and Tuesdays! You will find the best day is a Wednesday, especially in the low season!
Versailles is One of the Most Famous Historic Sites in France
Versailles Palace is a royal palace located in Versailles in the Île-de-France region of France. The palace was originally built by King Louis XIV, it was expanded by his successors and today it is still used as a residence for the king of France. Versailles Palace is one of the most famous landmarks in the world and has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979.
The palace was built by King Louis XIV who wanted to make it his own personal residence. He hired architect Louis Le Vau and artist Charles Le Brun to design and build it. The construction began in 1661 and took twenty years to finish. Unfortunately, King Louis XIV died before the construction was completed, so his son King Louis XV took over the project. Jules Hardouin-Mansart was a royal architect for the king starting in 1675. He designed and built the Grand Trianon of the Chateau de Versailles.
The wonderful history of the Palace of Versailles starts in the 17th century. Did you know it was first a hunting lodge? Then a seat of power, and finally, from the 19th century onwards, a museum. It’s composed of the Palace, the gardens, the park, the Trianon estate and several buildings in town. The Estate of Versailles now spreads over more than 800 hectares.
The Château de Versailles an architectural wonder is a must-visit for the bucket list.
Here is a rundown of the top 9 reasons why:
1) Versailles Palace was the birthplace of the modern era with its grandeur and scale that put it on par with the ancient world.
2) The palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has been called “the most beautiful monument in France”.
3) The magnificent gardens are just as spectacular as the palace, with formal French gardens, hedge mazes, musical fountains shows, waterfalls, marble statues and sculptures.
4) A stroll around the grounds will take you to the Queen’s hamlet (complete with her private theatre), the Petit Trianon (where she created her own enchanted retreat), and more.
5) There are over 700 rooms in Versailles Palace to explore. One of the most famous rooms is The Hercules Room in the King’s Grand Apartment with its stunning interior decoration.
6) You can see the Marie Antoinette Estate where she lived in the Queen’s State Apartment. Although she preferred her private apartments to the main palace.
7) The palace complex includes many different buildings that are worth visiting separately, like the Royal Chapel.
8) The impressive facade of the building can be seen from miles away and it is one of the most photographed places in France.
9) The Hall of Mirrors, was dreamt up by the famous architect, Jules Hardouin-Mansart. It is almost 240 feet long, and was designed to amaze the visitors of the Sun King Louis XIV; it is lit by 17 windows and 350 mirrors overlooking the palace’s splendid gardens.
How to Get to Versailles Palace
Travelling by car: You can take the A13 motorway and the Versailles Centre exit. Versailles is located about 17 minutes by car from Paris, so it’s easy to get from the Eiffel Tower to here.
If you are arriving via public transportation the regional RER train line C serves Versailles Château Rive Gauche station, which is a 10-minute walk from the Palace.
Extend Your Experience: Get a Guided Tour of Versailles
One of the top reasons to visit Versailles is its vast amount of history. In addition to its history and artistry, Versailles also offers a unique experience that is sure to please visitors so they have the best time. You can explore buildings such as the Petit Palais (the smaller wing on the west side), Sainte-Chapelle (the main church on the east side), or L’Elysée Palace (the presidential palace).
If you want a more comprehensive experience of Versailles, there are also tours available that allow you to see individual buildings as well as all of its associated sights and sounds. A popular option is a walking tour that begins at La Halle aux armes (the front entrance) and travels clockwise around the palace complex; tickets can be bought online or at one of the various tourist information centres throughout town.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a UNESCO World Heritage Site with world-renowned architecture, then Versailles Palace is the place for you! The Palace of Versailles is one of the most famous historic sites in France and offers stunning views of Paris. If you’re looking to experience all that this beautiful city has to offer, then take a tour of Versailles today! By learning about the history of this fascinating city, you’ll be able to appreciate its beauty even more.