The Palace
Start hereThe State Apartments run in one line: Royal Chapel first, the Hall of Mirrors in the middle.
10 must-sees in the Palace →
← Versailles guide overview
CHÂTEAU DE VERSAILLES · PLAN YOUR VISIT
How to visit Versailles without running out of day
Which ticket to buy, which train to take, how far the walking really is, and a one-day plan that saves Trianon for the afternoon.
Tickets: get the Passport
The Passport covers the Palace, the Trianon estate and the Musical Fountains or Musical Gardens on show days. A Palace-only ticket exists, but the gardens and Trianon are what make Versailles more than a crowded palace tour.
Book a timed Palace entry in advance, even if you get in free.
Book on chateauversailles.fr ↗| Visitor | Price |
|---|---|
| Passport, April to October | €35 |
| Passport, November to March | €25 |
| EEA residents, Passport | €32 / €22 |
| Trianon estate only | €15 |
| Under 18, and EU/EEA residents under 26 | Free |
| Visitors with a disability + 1 companion | Free |
| Everyone, first Sunday from November to March | Free |
Prices changed on January 14, 2026. Free visitors still need a timed slot. Confirm on the official site before booking.
Opening hours
- MONClosed
- TUE09:00–18:30
- WED09:00–18:30
- THU09:00–18:30
- FRI09:00–18:30
- SAT09:00–18:30
- SUN09:00–18:30
Palace hours from April to October; it closes at 17:30 from November to March. Trianon opens at 12:00. Also closed Jan 1, May 1 and Dec 25. Quietest: the 09:00 slot midweek, or after 14:30. Tuesdays are busy because the Louvre is closed.
Getting there
-
RER C
To Versailles Château Rive Gauche, about 45 minutes from central Paris, then a 10-minute walk.
-
SNCF trains
From Montparnasse or Saint-Lazare to Versailles Chantiers or Rive Droite, then 15 to 20 minutes on foot.
-
Skip the car
Parking fills early on busy days. Buy your return train ticket in the morning.
The distances are real
Versailles is enormous from end to end. From the Hall of Mirrors to the Queen’s Hamlet is about 45 minutes on foot, so decide how far you’ll go before you arrive.
The Gardens
~20 min walkParterres, fountains and the 1.6 km Grand Canal. Free most days, ticketed on Musical Fountains days.
1 must-see in the gardens →
Trianon
+15–20 minThe Grand and Petit Trianon, and Marie-Antoinette’s Hamlet. Opens at noon; the little train helps.
2 must-sees at Trianon →A one-day plan that works
-
08:00 · about 45 min
Leave Paris early
RER C from central Paris to Versailles Château Rive Gauche, then a 10-minute walk.
Aim to be at the gates before your 09:00 slot.
-
09:00 · about 2.5 hours
The first Palace slot
Royal Chapel, then the State Apartments in one direction: Hercules, Plenty, Apollo, the War Room, the Hall of Mirrors, the Peace Room and the Queen’s Chamber.
-
11:30 · about 2 hours
Gardens and the Grand Canal
Walk down through the parterres and fountains to the Grand Canal, and have lunch near the water.
-
14:00 · about 3 hours
Trianon and the Hamlet
Trianon opens at noon, so it’s yours for the afternoon. Walk on to the Temple of Love and the Queen’s Hamlet, or take the little train.
-
17:00 · done
Back to Paris
Walk or ride the little train back to the Palace, then the train to Paris.
Buy your return ticket in the morning to skip the evening queue.
Six small things worth knowing
- Comfortable shoesA full Versailles day is 8 to 10 km of walking.
- Bring water and snacksFood between the Palace and Trianon is sparse and pricey.
- Palace firstGardens second, Trianon after it opens at noon.
- Check the fountain scheduleThe Musical Fountains only play at set times.
- Keep your ticket handyIt’s checked again at Trianon.
- Avoid TuesdaysThe Louvre is closed, so the crowds come here.
Quick answers
Do I need to book in advance?
Yes. Palace entry is by timed slot, including for free visitors.
How long should I spend?
The Palace alone takes 2 to 3 hours. Plan a full day for the gardens and Trianon.
Which places shouldn’t I miss?
Start with the Hall of Mirrors and the Royal Chapel, then see the full 13.
Do I need an audio guide?
The Palace includes its own audio guide. MuseCat adds the walking route between the Palace, gardens and Trianon.
