
Things to do in Palace of Versailles
A historical monument and UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Palace of Versailles was the principal royal residence of France from 1682. Today, Versailles is home to wonders: the Hall of Mirrors, the grand royal apartments, beautiful gardens and some incredible collections of art, furniture, chandeliers and architecture.
Within the main palace, The Hall of Mirrors is the largest and certainly the best known of the 700 rooms at the Château de Versailles. The large mirrors face the windows, creating a spectacular reflection of the gardens opposite. Their creation is exceptional in more ways than one. Mirrors were then fantastically difficult to make – and hugely expensive. In fact, France had to persuade skilled Venetian mirror makers to teach them the secrets.
The hall has 357 mirrors, filling a space 73m (220ft) long. The Grande Galerie, as it was called in the 17th century, was used daily as a place of passage, waiting room and meeting place to impress visitors such as ambassadors and foreign leaders. Queen Marie-Antoinette celebrated her wedding here and some historic agreements were signed here, such as the Proclamation of the German Empire and the Treaty of Versailles.
In 2007, a three-year comprehensive renovation of the hall was completed, replacing 48 broken or cloudy mirrors with old mirrors from the French Senate. Others had been replaced in the nineteenth century, but around 60 per cent of the mirrors we see today are originals.
To gain some brief respite from courtly etiquette, the kings of Versailles built themselves more intimate spaces close to the main palace. Visit The Grand Trianon, a small palace built of pink marble renowned for its geometric gardens and unique décor. Marie-Antoinette’s Estate was built especially for the queen, who liked to get away from the grandeur of the palace for a simpler, more rural ambience. The estate consists of the Petit Trianon, where she lived, the hamlet, and the queen’s personal gardens. This is a palace within the palace of Versailles and a real treat.
The famous Gardens of Versailles are an attraction in their own right and took over 40 years to create, involving regiments of soldiers to move earth and create landscapes. Statues and fountains decorate the gardens and are the focus of night-time light shows during the summer months.
Versailles opening times:
April 1 to October 31
Palace: Every day except Monday, from 9am – 6.30pm
Gardens: Every day: 8am – 8:30pm
From 1 November to 31 March
Palace: Every day except Monday, from 9am – 5.30pm
Gardens: Every day: 8am – 6pm
Address
Château de Versailles , Place d'Armes - 78000 Versailles
Getting there
By train:
SNCF Trains
Depart Paris Montparnasse, arrive at Versailles Chantiers
Depart Paris Saint Lazare, arrive Versailles Rive Droite
RER C
Versailles Château Rive Gauche station (buy a pass for Navigo, Mobilis or Paris Visit, including zones 1-4 from Paris). T+ ticket is not valid
RER C line is closed 16 July-27 August between Paris Austerlitz and Javel Reach Javel by Metro
By Metro:
Line 10 from Paris Austerlitz and Saint-Michel Notre Dame (station: Cluny – La Sorbonne)
By car:
A13 motorway, exit at Versailles Centre. Paid parking at the Place d’Armes, Allée de Bailly, Grand Trianon and Petit Trianon
Our recommendations in Palace of Versailles

Tickets for the Night Fountains Show at the Palace of Versailles
Book your tickets to attend the Night Fountains Show at Versailles Palace's gardens. The show takes place every Saturday from 11 June to 17 September 2022.
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Versailles with audio guide and Paris transfer
Experience the royal Palace of Versailles with an audio-guided commentary and luxury air-conditioned transfer to and from Paris. A great day out!
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Bike tour of Versailles Palace with skip-the-line tickets
Buy your Versailles Bike Tour with Musement with our price match guarantee and secure booking. Get informed, plan and book your amazing activities in Paris.
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Morning tour of Versailles Palace and Gardens
Skip the line for an early morning tour of the Palace of Versailles and its gardens! You'll visit the Hall of Mirrors, the King's Grand Apartments, explore the gardens at your own pace...
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Experiences in Palace of Versailles
How to get there

Palace of Versailles
Paris
France
Reviews Palace of Versailles
“The guide was informative inside the palace. However there was more detail he could have provided. The main disappointment was that the trip states we would be taken from Paris to Versaille via Coach and return only by train. This was not the case and we went on the train both ways, there and back. The guide did not stay with us on the train there so there was no information on places passing through. The aspect of taking the journey via train rather than coach was also a let down. We would looked forward to approaching the palace by road rather than a longer walk from the train station.”
“My trip to Versailles was everything I imagined and more! Thank you!”
