In short: tickets, prices and getting there
- Passeport ticket for visitors from outside the EEA: 35 euros in high season (April to October) and 25 euros in low season (November to March).
- Europeans pay less: 32 euros in high season and 22 in low season. Differentiated pricing took effect on January 14, 2026.
- Free: all children and teenagers under 18, and EEA residents under 26.
- The group trick: on a guided tour you pay 25 euros per person whatever your passport, cheaper than an individual ticket in high season.
- What the ticket covers: since the change, the Passeport covers the whole estate: the palace, the Trianon and the gardens.
- Getting there: the RER C to Versailles Château Rive Gauche, about a 10-minute walk from the palace gates.
- How much time to allow: a full day. The palace alone takes about two hours, and the gardens and the Trianon need the rest of the day.
If I had to pick just one palace for your whole visit to France, I’d recommend the Palace of Versailles. It’s without a doubt the most impressive palace in France, and probably in the whole world. No wonder so many kings tried to imitate it (Schönbrunn in Austria, Peterhof in Russia, Caserta near Naples, Drottningholm in Sweden and many more), but none of them managed to outshine it.
The Palace of Versailles is one of the most popular attractions in France, and it’s a must for anyone visiting Paris for the first time (and honestly, the palace holds so many secrets that it suits seasoned Francophiles too). To help you get the most out of your visit, I’ve put together a comprehensive guide with everything you need.
This is a practical guide that answers the most important questions every visitor asks, from how to get to Versailles, where to buy tickets, how much time to spend and what to see, all the way to other fateful questions, like where to eat. Along with all that, you’ll get my “secret ingredient”: the history that will take your visit to the next level. So let’s get going. After all, it’s not polite to keep Louis XIV waiting…
Palace of Versailles tickets (book in advance!)
Since many of you came here to find tickets for the Palace of Versailles (skip-the-line, of course), let’s start with that and then move on to more interesting topics.
On January 14, 2026, Versailles switched to differentiated pricing, like the Louvre and the Sainte-Chapelle. Visitors from outside the European Economic Area pay more. At the same time, the Passeport ticket was extended and now covers the whole estate: the palace, the Trianon and the gardens.
| Visitor type | Low season (November to March) | High season (April to October) |
|---|---|---|
| Visitors from outside the European Economic Area | 25 euros | 35 euros |
| Citizens and residents of the European Economic Area | 22 euros | 32 euros |
| Children and teenagers under 18 | Free | |
| European Economic Area residents under 26 | Free | |
| Guided group visit | 25 euros per person, whatever your passport | |
Last checked: September 2, 2026. If there are four or more of you, a guided tour is worth a look: the group rate is cheaper than an individual ticket in high season.
Palace of Versailles tickets
All types are ticked. Untick what does not interest you, or just click the button.
Showing all 21 options
- Best seller
Passport ticket: the palace, the gardens and the Trianon estate
The full ticket, and the one most visitors need: the palace, the gardens and the Trianon estate in one booking.
The palace is closed on Mondays. You choose your entry time in advance and you cannot be late, so plan your train accordingly and add a quarter of an hour for the security check. On musical fountain days there is a surcharge for the gardens, and it is included in this ticket.
Versailles gardens ticket only
The cheapest ticket, for those who come for André Le Nôtre (1613–1700) and not for the Hall of Mirrors.
The gardens are open every day, including Mondays when the palace is closed. Most of the year entry is free, and a ticket is needed only on musical fountain and musical garden days. Check the calendar before you buy.
Guided tour of the Palace of Versailles
Versailles without a guide is a string of gilded rooms. With a guide it is a story of power, money and pretense.
The tours here run from an hour and a half to a full day, in English, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and Chinese. Check the length of the tour when you book, because the difference between the short and the long one is huge.
Skip the line + guided tour + the King's private apartments
The tour that goes into the rooms the regular ticket does not open: the King's private apartments.
The private apartments are where the king actually lived, as opposed to the state rooms. Groups are small and availability is limited, so this is not a booking to leave for the day before.
Guided tour + transfer from Paris
The most convenient package: they pick you up in Paris, guide you through the palace and bring you back.
The wide time range means there are several versions: from a half day that covers the palace only to a full day that also includes the gardens and the Trianon. Check exactly what is included before you pay.
Entry ticket + round-trip transfer
The entry ticket and the ride in one package, but inside you wander on your own.
Good for anyone who wants to skip the hassle of the RER but does not want a guide setting the pace. Note that the return time is fixed in advance, and the bus does not wait for latecomers.
Round-trip transfer from Paris only
Just the ride, for those who already have an entry ticket from the official website.
I recommend this one with caution: the rating is very low, mostly because of delays and confusing pickup points. The RER C from Paris costs less than ten euros round trip and gets you to a ten-minute walk from the gate.
Versailles and Monet's gardens at Giverny: a full day from Paris
The two most famous gardens in France in one day: the geometry of Le Nôtre and the calculated wildness of Claude Monet (1840–1926).
This is a very long day, and not for families with small children. Check the blooming season at Giverny before you buy: between April and October the garden is at its peak, and in winter it is closed completely.
- Combo price
Paris City Card: a city card that includes Versailles
A card that bundles several major attractions and lets you choose between Versailles and the Arc de Triomphe.
Note that Versailles and the Arc de Triomphe are one choice on the card, not both. The card also includes the Eiffel Tower or the Musée d'Orsay or the Panthéon, and a Seine cruise. It only pays off if you really use three attractions or more.
- Combo price
Versailles + Seine cruise (Bateaux Mouches)
The full Versailles ticket together with a classic Bateaux Mouches cruise on the Seine.
The most common Versailles combo, and also the most sensible: one day out of town and a relaxed evening on the water. The two tickets have separate dates, so you can split them over different days.
- Combo price
Seine cruise (Bateaux Parisiens) + Versailles
The same bundle, with the cruise company that leaves from the foot of the Eiffel Tower and not from Pont de l'Alma.
If your hotel is in the 7th or the 15th arrondissement, the Bateaux Parisiens pier is more convenient for you. The route itself is almost the same.
- Combo price
Seine cruise + 2-day Versailles ticket
For those who understand that one day at Versailles is a race: a two-day ticket, and a Seine cruise.
The two-day ticket lets you give one day to the palace and a second day to the gardens and the Trianon, and that really is the right way to see the estate. The two days do not have to be in a row.
- Combo price
Seine cruise + Versailles priority entry and guided tour
The pampered version: priority entry to the palace with a guide, and a Seine cruise.
The most expensive of the Versailles and Seine combos, and it pays off mostly for first-time visitors to Paris who want someone else to run the day.
- Combo price
Versailles + Eiffel Tower
The two great symbols of France in one booking: the monarchy and the engineering.
Do not try to squeeze both into the same day. Versailles alone is at least five hours including travel, and the tower after it is a recipe for broken legs.
- Combo price
Versailles + Louvre Museum reserved entry
The two attractions that are hardest to get last-minute tickets for.
The Louvre ticket includes a short guided tour of the masterpieces. Each of the two needs at least half a day, and the Louvre is closed on Tuesdays, exactly when Versailles is open.
- Combo price
Versailles + Disneyland Paris
The classic family compromise: one day for the parents, one day for the kids.
The two places are at opposite ends of the Île-de-France, so do not plan them on back-to-back days if you are staying in central Paris with small children.
- Combo price
Disneyland Paris + the fountain show at Versailles
The same bundle, where the Versailles part is the musical fountain show in the gardens.
The fountain show runs only on certain days in the warm season, and it is one of the most beautiful things I have seen at Versailles. Note that this ticket does not include entry to the palace itself.
- Combo price
Arc de Triomphe + 2-day Versailles ticket
A two-day ticket to the Versailles estate, and the climb to the roof of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
A sensible combo if you are staying in Paris three days or more. A small tip: save the Arc de Triomphe for sunset, when the Champs-Élysées light up.
- Combo price
Versailles + Palais Garnier self-guided visit
The two great showpieces of France: the old monarchy and the bourgeoisie that came after it.
The Palais Garnier is in central Paris and the visit is short, about an hour. An easy pairing for a day when you are back from Versailles in the afternoon and want something more to do.
- Combo price
Versailles + the Catacombs of Paris
A pairing of two extremes: the splendor of Louis XIV above ground, and six million bones below.
The Catacombs mean 131 steps down and 112 steps up, and it is 14°C (57°F) down there all year round. It is no place for strollers or for anyone who is claustrophobic.
- Combo price
Trianon estate + musical fountain show
The private world of Marie Antoinette (1755–1793), together with the fountain show in the gardens.
This bundle does not include entry to the palace itself, and it suits those who have visited before and want the quiet, lovely part of the estate this time. A fifteen-minute walk from the palace.
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Visitor information for the Palace of Versailles
🚆 How do I get to Versailles?
There are two main ways to get to Versailles: by public transportation or by car (a rental car or a taxi).
Public transportation (2025/2026 update)
The best and easiest way to get to Versailles is the RER C suburban train. It stops at central Paris stations (like Saint-Michel Notre-Dame, Musée d’Orsay and Invalides), and the line takes you straight into history.
Let me tell you a secret that will save you a headache: since January 2025, the complicated zone system has been abolished! A train or RER ride to any destination in Île-de-France (Versailles included) now costs a flat 2.50 euros.
- Ride to Versailles Château Rive Gauche station. It’s the closest station to the palace (about a 10-minute walk).
- A local’s tip: there’s no need to line up at the ticket machines. Download the Bonjour RATP app, buy your ticket on your phone and use it (through your Wallet) to get through the gates.
- If you have a Navigo pass (monthly or weekly), the trip is of course included.
The RER C splits into several branches (like the complicated family tree of the House of Bourbon). Make sure you board a train showing Versailles Château Rive Gauche as its destination (the train names usually start with VICK). Otherwise, you’ll get an unplanned tour of the suburbs.
By car
- You can also book an Uber to Versailles (it costs around 50 euros each way, depending on the time).
- A final option is to rent a car in Paris. This mainly makes sense if you’re combining Versailles with a wider trip. Take the N118 (about 40 minutes). Paid parking lots (like Place d’Armes) are right across from the palace.
🕰 When can I visit the palace and gardens of Versailles?
Versailles changes with the seasons. So you know what to expect, here’s the current schedule:
❄️ Low season (November to March)
- The palace: open every day except Monday, 9:00–17:30.
- The gardens and the park: free for everyone! (8:00–18:00).
- Bonus: on the first Sunday of the month, admission to the palace is free.
- A tip for seasoned visitors: check the official site for the temporary exhibitions before you go. They’re a great way to get to know the people behind all the splendor.
☀️ High season (April to October)
- The palace: longer opening hours, 9:00–18:30.
- The gardens: open until 20:30 (unless there are evening events).
- The fountain shows: held on weekends (Saturday and Sunday) from early April to late October. On those days (and on Tuesdays with Musical Gardens), there’s a charge to enter the gardens.
Between us? In August, the palace can feel like a royal sauna (most rooms have no air conditioning!). If you’re coming at the height of summer, do yourself a favor and arrive early in the morning or late in the day.
How much time should I set aside for the Palace of Versailles?
If I had a euro for every time someone asked me this question, I might be able to buy the Palace of Versailles and move in 🙂
As you’ll see in the next part of the article, there’s a lot to do and see at the palace and around it. If you want the minimum (a tour of the main palace plus a walk in the gardens), I’d allow at least half a day (a full day is much better). If you also want to visit the two Trianons and the Queen’s Hamlet, the question answers itself, because they set the schedule for your day.
What to see at Versailles
There’s a lot to see at the palace and around it, so I’ve split this topic in two. The first part covers the sights you have to see on your first visit to Versailles. The second part offers a few more options for “seasoned Francophiles”, people coming back to the palace for the second or third time.
Must-see sights at Versailles
A visit to the main palace
Naturally, the first place you’ll visit is the main palace, built mainly by Louis XIV and Louis XV (r. 1715-1774), with a few later additions. There’s a lot to see in the palace itself, but here are a few rooms you simply can’t miss on your first visit.
The Hall of Mirrors
This is without a doubt the most famous room in the whole palace. It was built under Louis XIV to host balls and royal ceremonies. Later, several important historical events took place here, among them the proclamation of the German Empire (1871) and the signing of the Treaty of Versailles (1919). Over the years, the royal apartments next to it changed, and some rooms were “moved” (for example, the King’s bedroom was moved to the central wing, so that it would overlook the Marble Courtyard with its black-and-white paving).
Since these were the official apartments of the King and the Queen, each room is grander than the one before, decorated by the finest artists of the 17th century and later, such as Charles Le Brun (1619-1690). Once you’ve finished with the King’s and Queen’s apartments, don’t forget to go down one floor and visit the Dauphin’s apartments and those of Louis XV’s daughters.
The Royal Chapel of Versailles
The last place inside the palace itself that I consider a must is the Royal Chapel, whose major restoration was completed not long ago.
It’s a beautiful Baroque masterpiece that you can see from the ground floor, as in other churches, but also from the royal gallery, where you look down from above. On top of that, the acoustics in this chapel are simply wonderful, and if you happen to catch a rehearsal for a concert, you’ve struck gold twice.
Here’s an example of what you might get to hear while you’re there:
The Gardens of Versailles
In my eyes, this is the most beautiful and enjoyable part of your whole visit to Versailles, and you must not miss it under any circumstances. It’s a masterpiece of garden design, created by André Le Nôtre (1613-1700), with statues, fountains, impressive tree-lined avenues and much more. In the following video, you can see some of the attractions in the Gardens of Versailles that you really shouldn’t miss.
Since there’s quite a bit of walking, I highly recommend comfortable walking shoes. If you get tired, you can use the little train that runs around the gardens and can take you from place to place. If you have trouble walking, check out this link to read about accessibility and wheelchair rental on site.
The Grand Trianon
This palace was built in the late 1680s on the site of a village called Trianon. Its purpose was to give Louis XIV an intimate place where he could rest from his busy schedule in the main palace. It’s no coincidence that Louis XIV said, “I made Versailles for the court, Marly for my friends and the Trianon for myself.”
Since the Trianon is about 2 km from the main palace, there’s a shuttle to take you from the palace to the Trianon.
The Petit Trianon and Marie Antoinette’s Hamlet
The Petit Trianon was built for Madame de Pompadour (1721-1764), Louis XV’s famous mistress, but she died before construction was finished, and so it passed to Madame du Barry (1743-1793), an equally iconic mistress. When Louis XVI (r. 1774-1792) came to the throne, he gave the palace to his wife, Marie Antoinette (1755-1793), who made it a kind of refuge from the intrigues of the King’s palace.
Here’s a short video filmed inside the Petit Trianon that will let you visit some of its rooms:
Once you’ve finished visiting the palace, head over to see the Queen’s Hamlet (Le Hameau de la Reine). It’s an imitation of a village like the ones you’d find in Normandy, built at Queen Marie Antoinette’s request. You’ll find little houses, a dairy, an artificial lake and more. Contrary to the rumors, it wasn’t the Queen who did the milking and gardening, but professional farmers brought in for the job.
You can see what the Queen’s Hamlet looks like by watching a clip from Sofia Coppola’s film “Marie Antoinette” below:
Sights for seasoned visitors at Versailles
You’ve seen all the “must-sees”, and now that you’re coming back to Versailles for the second (or twentieth) time, you’re looking for a few more places you haven’t seen and that not every tourist knows? Here are a few options.
The King’s private apartments
These aren’t the King’s official apartments, where all the daily ceremonies of Versailles took place, but a small, intimate wing whose windows face a small, secret courtyard. This is where the King preferred to spend his free time with his close friends (quite a few courtiers lived their whole lives at Versailles without ever setting foot there).
You can’t visit these rooms on your own, only on a guided tour. You can read more about it and book tickets at this link.
If you’re like me and aren’t satisfied with “what everyone sees”, I highly recommend reading the article by my dear friend Ronen Sas. He takes you on a virtual “behind the scenes” tour of the palace and reveals secrets that even the guides don’t always know. A must-read for seasoned visitors.
Ronen also recommends two rare guided tours: a visit to the apartments of the King’s mistresses and a visit to the Queen’s private apartments.
The Gallery of Battles
This wing is a must for history lovers like me, and in my eyes it’s a kind of continuation of a visit to the Musée Carnavalet. You’ll find paintings here by the finest French painters of the first half of the 19th century (the best known of them is Eugène Delacroix, 1798-1863). The paintings show a series of historic battles won by the French, and their purpose was to unite the French nation.
A visit to the town of Versailles
When Louis XIV built the Palace of Versailles, not all the courtiers and their servants could live within the palace grounds. As a result, a town was built next to the palace. It later became a city, and it’s definitely worth a visit. I highly recommend not missing the Saint-Louis Cathedral, built under Louis XV, and the neighborhood next to it that bears the same name.
A visit to Madame Élisabeth’s estate
If I had to recommend one place in the town of Versailles other than the palace itself, it would be the town estate of Madame Élisabeth (1764-1794), Louis XVI’s sister. The estate isn’t next to the palace, and you have to make a special trip to get there, but in my eyes it’s definitely worth the effort. Address: 73 Avenue de Paris. Opening days and hours: every day, 11:00–18:00. Check the estate’s website before you go.
Want to take your visit to the palace to the next level? Let me highly recommend reading the article on its history. It will turn your visit from “just walking down corridors” into a rich experience that will make you say “wow”.
Should I stay in Versailles, and if so, where?
Versailles isn’t just a magnificent palace, it’s also a charming town that can be a great base for exploring the Île-de-France. If your budget permits and you want a royal experience, I recommend staying at the Waldorf Astoria Versailles, Trianon Palace. It’s a 5-star hotel built in the early 20th century, right on the edge of the palace park. You’ll find a spa, a gourmet restaurant and plenty of other indulgences.
Waldorf Astoria Versailles
A luxury hotel by the palace park. A once-in-a-lifetime experience, with a spa and fine dining.
More options
Looking for a hotel at a more affordable price? I have a whole list of recommendations in Versailles.
Recommended restaurants around Versailles
You’ve walked, you’ve seen, you’ve been impressed, and now you’re surely hungry. Here are a few recommended places to eat in the town of Versailles and inside the palace itself.
La Flottille
An elegant restaurant right by the Grand Canal. A varied menu: Caesar salad, burgers and pizzas.
Little Italy Versailles
An Italian restaurant a 10-minute drive away. Wonderful pasta and pizza, with options for vegetarians too.
Lucette
A seafood bistro: calamari, shrimp, oysters and fish and chips. A 10-minute drive away.
L’Alcôve
A regal restaurant with an intimate atmosphere. Classic French cuisine with modern twists.
Angelina
A tea room and restaurant inside the palace (elegant). Famous for its hot chocolate and pastries.
Grand Café d’Orléans
A quick-service cafeteria in the palace, with sandwiches and desserts. Good if you just want to grab a bite.
ORE (Alain Ducasse)
Chef Alain Ducasse’s elegant café, overlooking the Royal Courtyard. Expensive, but worth it.
More frequently asked questions
How do I get from Paris to the Palace of Versailles?
Is a combined ticket for Versailles worth it?
Want to see what else is worth a visit in the city? I’ve gathered all the attractions in Paris in one place, with visiting times, metro stations and what you have to book in advance.
