The Complete Palace of Versailles Guide 2026

What visitors ask before going to Versailles

Practical basics, tickets, booking and route — everything you need before the visit, in order.

01 Opening hours

High season (Apr 1–Oct 31): Palace 9:00–18:30, Trianon Estate 12:00–18:30, Gardens 7:00–20:30. Low season (Nov 1–Mar 31): Palace 9:00–17:30, Trianon 12:00–17:30, Gardens 8:00–18:00. Closed Mondays, Jan 1, May 1, Dec 25.

02 Best time to visit

Right at 9:00 opening or after 14:30, avoiding 10:00–14:00 and Tuesdays (when the closed Louvre pushes crowds to Versailles).

03 Location

In the town of Versailles, about 20km southwest of central Paris.

04 How long to stay

The Palace alone takes 2–3 hours; a full day (~8 hours) covers the Palace, Gardens, and Trianon Estate.

05 Getting there

RER C to Versailles Château Rive Gauche station, about a 10-minute walk to the Palace entrance (roughly 40 minutes from central Paris).

06 Facilities & accessibility

Free wheelchairs for Palace visits, free entry for disabled visitors and one companion, and a free audioguide for disabled visitors and companions (up to 13 languages).

Read the full guides

Versailles tickets & prices

Passport ticket (Palace + Trianon + Gardens): €35 high season / €25 low season for standard visitors, with a reduced rate for EEA nationals and residents.

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All 13 must-see rooms

Every must-see room at the Palace of Versailles, from the Hall of Mirrors to the Trianon estate.

Read the full guide →

Highlights — the 13 must-see works

Every work on this list is from MuseCat's verified must-see selection, with the exact room it hangs in.

PALACE

Practical tips

Small things that save time once you are there.

Book a timed-entry Passport ticket online in advance — it meaningfully cuts queue time.

Arrive at 9:00 opening or after 14:30 to see the Hall of Mirrors with far fewer crowds.

Avoid Tuesdays (when the closed Louvre pushes crowds to Versailles) and weekends if possible.

The Gardens are free to enter most days — a paid ticket is only required on Musical Fountains show days (weekends and some weekdays, April–November).

The Estate of Trianon (Grand Trianon, Petit Trianon, Marie-Antoinette's Hamlet) is a 30–40 minute walk from the main Palace, or reachable by mini-train, bike, or golf cart — it opens at noon.

A mini-train runs from the Palace to the Grand Canal and Trianon estate and back.

Nearby

Things to see and do nearby once you are done.

The Gardens & Grand Canal steps from the Palace

Formal French gardens, fountains, and a 1.6km canal for boating.

Estate of Trianon & Marie-Antoinette's Hamlet 30–40 minute walk (or mini-train)

Louis XIV's pink-marble Grand Trianon and Marie-Antoinette's rustic retreat.

Frequently asked questions

What does admission cost?

As of January 14, 2026, Versailles uses an all-inclusive Passport ticket: €35 standard / €32 EEA in high season (Apr–Oct), €25 standard / €22 EEA in low season (Nov–Mar). The Estate of Trianon alone is €15 / €12 EEA year-round.

Do I need to book ahead?

Yes — timed entry is required for Palace access, including for free-entry visitors.

What are the must-see rooms?

The Hall of Mirrors, the King's and Queen's State Apartments, the Hercules Salon, and the Royal Chapel (viewed from the gallery).

How long does a visit take?

The Palace alone takes 2–3 hours; the full estate is closer to a full day (~8 hours).

Is an audio guide worth it?

Yes — it's included free with entry, available in up to 13 languages.

What visitors ask before going to Versailles

Versailles tickets & prices

All 13 must-see rooms

Highlights — the 13 must-see works

The Royal Courtyard

The Royal Chapel

The Hercules Room

The Hall of Plenty

The Apollo Room

The War Room

The Hall of Mirrors

The Peace Room

The Queen's Chamber

The Gallery of Great Battles

The Grand Canal

The Temple of Love

The Queen's Hamlet

Don't walk past the paintings you came for

Practical tips

Nearby

Frequently asked questions