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The Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of VersaillesMyrabella · CC BY-SA 3.0

What to do · Paris

Palace of Versailles and its gardens, by train from Paris

Day trip · Passeport from €25 · free up to age 18 and for EU residents under 26 · closed Mondays

InformationFrom €25 adult, Passeport in low season
From
€25 adult, Passeport in low season
Duration
6 h
Season
All year, except Mondays
Who it's for
All ages

Louis XIV's palace, with the Hall of Mirrors, the royal apartments, the Trianon estate and gardens that deserve half a day. It lies on the outskirts of Paris and makes an easy day trip.

Which ticket to buy

The Passeport, from €25 in low season, is the only ticket that guarantees entry to the palace, and it also gives access to the Trianon estate (Grand and Petit Trianon, and the Queen's Hamlet from 12:00), the exhibitions and the gardens, including on Grandes Eaux and Musical Gardens days. The Trianon ticket alone costs €15 and does not include the palace. Under-18s and EU residents under 26 get in free, but they must also book their time slot online: it is compulsory for everyone. Tickets are non-refundable and cannot be exchanged.

Opening hours

The palace opens from 9:00 to 17:30 in low season and Trianon from 12:00 to 17:30. Both are closed on Mondays, 25 December, 1 January and 1 May. The gardens and park are open every day from 8:00 to 18:00. In high season the hours are longer: check the website before you go.

Getting there

By train from central Paris: the RER C to Versailles Château Rive Gauche, ten minutes' walk from the Place d'Armes. With a full day you have time for the palace in the morning, lunch in the gardens and Trianon in the afternoon.

Tips

  • Book the first slot At 9:00 you can still see the Hall of Mirrors without a crush.
  • Don't go on a Monday The palace and Trianon are closed; only the gardens are open.
  • Wear comfortable shoes There is a lot of walking between the palace, the gardens and Trianon.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to book to enter Versailles?

Yes. The time slot is compulsory for everyone, including those who get in free.

How much does it cost?

The Passeport, which includes the palace, Trianon and the gardens, costs from €25.

Which day is it closed?

Mondays, as well as 25 December, 1 January and 1 May.

As a familyWith teenagers

Opening hours and prices can change: check them before you go.

Round off the plan

Where to eat, where to stay and what else to do

To eat nearby

The great 1896 dining room, with a skylight and tables with red tablecloths© Bouillon ChartierSince 1896

Bouillon Chartier Grands Boulevards

Restaurant · Grands Boulevards (9th) · €€€€

What to order: eggs with mayonnaise, leeks vinaigrette and the dish of the day.

No reservations · open every day from 11:30 to midnight
The dining room with red banquettes, white tablecloths and columns with posters© Bouillon PigalleOn the way down from Montmartre

Bouillon Pigalle

Restaurant · Pigalle (18th) · €€€€

What to order: classic French bistro cooking at bouillon prices.

22 boulevard de Clichy · open every day · you can book a table on the website
The dining room with light wooden walls, blackboards and wooden tables© Breizh CaféGalettes

Breizh Café Le Marais

Restaurant · Le Marais (3rd) · €€€€

What to order: a savoury buckwheat galette and a salted-butter crêpe for dessert.

Book on the website · vegetarian options available

To stay nearby

The Lutetia's Art Nouveau facade among the branches of the trees© Mandarin Oriental LutetiaSpa hotel

Mandarin Oriental Lutetia, Paris

Saint-Germain-des-Prés (6th) · Five stars · Boulevard Raspail

Why we like it: A grand 1910 hotel on boulevard Raspail, between Art Nouveau and Art Deco, restored by Wilmotte and reopened in 2018 with a spa, brasserie and bars.

The cobbled courtyard of one of the hostel's old houses© MIJEHostel

MIJE Marais

Le Marais (4th) · Three historic buildings · Non-profit association

Why we like it: Three non-profit hostels in old Marais houses, next to Saint-Paul metro, with breakfast included, 24-hour reception and beds in rooms of 2 to 10.

The hotel facade, with flower boxes above the windows© Hôtel Jeanne d'Arc Le MaraisSmall hotel

Hôtel Jeanne d'Arc Le Marais

Le Marais (4th) · Three stars · Quiet street

Why we like it: A three-star hotel on rue de Jarente, a quiet street in the Marais beside place du Marché-Sainte-Catherine and Saint-Paul metro.