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What to do and see in Versailles, France: The Best Places and Tips
This former unofficial capital of France sits just 10 miles from Paris and is easily reachable by train. Even though the Chateau de Versailles has been known as the epitome of indulgent luxury for centuries, seeing it in person is a jaw-dropping experience. The chateau's magnificent gardens are free, but it's worth shelling out for a day ticket to see the interior—although it does make going back to even a fancy hotel seem rather humdrum.
Restaurants in Versailles
1. Palace of Versailles
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 20 reviews
Palace, trianon palaces and the estate of marie-antoinette : open daily except mondays and certain public holidays. Gardens and park : open daily.Commented tours, independant visits, musical fontains shows, shows, bowboats, little train, bicycles, bookshop, shops, restaurants...
Reviewed By AlexJames102 - London, United Kingdom
It’s been a lifelong dream of mine to visit the Palace of Versailles and I went with no pre-conceived expectations. In fact, I heavily researched for my visit; which I knew would be busy, being the Easter weekend.
My review is going to be overwhelmingly negative, so I feel it’s important to begin with the positives.
Versailles is simply a marvel; one of the most luxurious and jaw-droppingly beautiful palaces I’ve seen. The Hall of Mirrors is spectacular. The architecture is bedazzling. The interiors are special.
That said, I feel I must warn people about my overall experience visiting the palace. I have no agenda at all except to inform.
Despite arriving at around 10.30am, we queued for over two hours with pre-paid tickets bought online. This massive queue finishes at the actual entrance- a tiny little door. I simply cannot believe that, with the quantity of visitors (10m a year), the Palace can’t organise a better influx into the Palace. There are, after all, a huge number of spacious exits. I know the Palace is world famous and attracts hordes, but the queue is simply outrageously long; with no staff in sight to advise, and poorly managed.
To say that Versailles is overcrowded would be an understatement. It’s claustrophobic, and restricts one’s ability to appreciate the rooms. This, coupled with cameras being shoved in and around one’s person constantly, severely damaged my ability to absorb the splendours of the Palace properly.
And this is where my main criticism lies: the management of the Palace. Elements of the online ticket are simply a scam. Nowhere on the website does it say that two thirds of the house and accompanying estates are closed. Nowhere does it say that even if you buy an e-ticket including access to the Gardens (!) you still have to queue and pay extra to access them on a Saturday. There is, in fact, no live information online detailing day to day details. Let me give an example: the Trianon estate is currently closed for refurbishment. That is not stated clearly on the website. I couldn’t find it anywhere, in fact. But they still charge ticket bundles for it, that cost extra. That is simply a scam.
The staff were unhelpful, and often rude when I asked for specifics. I speak very good French as well. This attitude bore all the hallmarks of a tourist site unconcerned with customer care as they didn’t need to be polite- they will never be short of visitors and ergo don’t face scrutiny.
Versailles was a massive disappointment- and I consider myself a patient and understanding visitor respectful of local culture. I wanted to write a Trip Advisor specifically to warn people.
If you want to visit what is absolutely a fabulous palace, go at 9am, off season, and call to check what’s open and what’s not, and expect queues and people everywhere.
2. The Royal Opera (L'Opera Royal)
Overall Ratings
5 based on 290 reviews
Reviewed By EloZ523 - Paris, France
The end of the theatrical season at the Palace of Versailles gave us a wonderful opportunity to watch a hitherto unknown (to us) opera of Vivaldi (Arsilda) that was recently staged at the small but magnificent opera house tucked in a corner of the palace.
Known to only the cognoscenti it seems, this theatre gives opera-lovers an experience that I think they will not soon forget; not only are the Performances brilliantly executed in a magnficent theatre with wonderful acoustics, but also the intimate atmosphere is enhanced by the blue-cushioned bench seats (‘banquettes’) that do not have armrests separating the spectators from each other. This we experienced in the orchestra section of the theatre.
However, one was rather disconcerted that some spectators came in summer attire (shorts, t-shirts, sandals, etc.). Even if the weather that day was quite sultry, shouldn’t one respect the artists and the venue by at least coming in clothes that are not too overly casual?
Tip: if one has tickets for a matinée performance (as we did) one must arrive with sufficient time before the performance as security lines (for palace, garden and theatre) tend to be long and rather tedious.
3. The Hall of Mirrors
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By Empathy - Fairfax County, Virginia
If you have been to places like this don't take the guided tour but if not you will learn a lot. Even if you are not a history buff it is worth it to see how some people lived. Put yourself in that bed or that chair, ( not really they might take to to jail or something) maybe have some cake after the tour! The walk around the garden will give you a lot more steps for the day.
4. Le Jardin de Versailles
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 926 reviews
Reviewed By Colgate50 - Bristol, United Kingdom
We visited in March so was not able to see the garden in its full glory. The statues were covered, the Fountains were not on and the flower beds being got ready for planting. Even so the Gardens still held a sense of magic. We had a long walk around the lakes, took a while but enabled us to see all of the beautiful scenery and the abundance of snowdrops. Rowing boats are available to hire (presently 13 euros for half hour) and golf style buggies are available (presently 35 euros) which sit 4 people.
5. The Trianons & The Hamlet
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Mandy L - Bundaberg
After the opulence of the Palace of Versaille, this area is much less impressive but still very much worth a visit. The Peiti Trianon is Marie- Antoinette's 'escape from court life' retreat but is still impressive in itself. Set in beautiful Gardens that include the Temple of Love and numerous statues, it is very peaceful to wander the beautiful Gardens. The second Trianon is a stunning soft pink building with some impressive black and white tiling in the outer court. Much of it was closed to renovations however the external area and Gardens are still impressive. The Hamlet is the 'country retreat' of Marie- Antoinette where she would go to enjoy 'country' life and dress up as a shepherdess! A little 'hollywood' but very much worth wandering around for the history, Gardens and peace. If walking or time is an issue, hire a small golf buggy to take the tourist train to save time. We bought 'Jump the line' tickets, but there were so many of these that the line for immediate entry beat us all in!!! Either way - don't short change yourself on time!
6. L'Orangerie
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 131 reviews
Reviewed By Deadman17 - Mumbai, India
Located at the South Western side of the Palace of Versailles, The L'Orangerie is the first garden one comes across after coming out of the Palace. The garden originally grew orange and lemon trees, which however did not exist when we visited. The cobblestone paths gave an excellent idea of the French noble roaming around the garden in full bloom
Because of renovation, we could not enter the Gardens, but we were able to capture the entire beauty standing at the top of the stairs, albeit pictures can never do justice to such a beautiful place.
7. The Royal Chapel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 420 reviews
Reviewed By larke - england
this beautiful chapel 1699 has elegant proportions rich decoration its a perfect jewel a symphony of white and gold multi coloured marble beautiful vault paintingsthree persons of the holy Trinity by Anoine Copel.the chapel is two stories high the galleries on a level with the state suite where the King and royal family and princes of royal blood sat ground floor for the rest of the court.The king attended Mass every day. Mari Antionette was married here well worth a visit for the chapel alone beautiful
8. Eglise Notre-Dame de Versailles
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 204 reviews
Reviewed By Ahmed_Badda - Casablanca, Morocco
You will make more of the visit if you read about events that took place here. Look at the Church from outside to see how much was spent on building the glamorous Church at a time the French people did not have enough to eat. That could explain animosity of the revolutionaries towards religion and their attack of Clergy.
9. Galerie des Carrosses
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 177 reviews
Reviewed By doug b - Greenville, South Carolina
This was recently renovated/opened and a well displayed history of the transportation in an up-close display of the opulence of the day. It's free and as a hint, across the street from the main gates which you will likely pass through to the Palace of Versailles. You will likely see horses being exercised in a ring in front of the area ... and the entrance is to the right corner of that exercise area.
It's a relatively short review - maybe 0:30 minutes inside the display and a good spend of time pre or post Versailles.
10. Grand Canal
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 712 reviews
Reviewed By sfseltzer - West Chester, Pennsylvania
This is probably the 10th time I've been to Versailles. The crowds were crazy. I suggest taking a full day to walk the palace canal and Gardens. Stroll.
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