Versailles is located about 21 km from the center of Paris. The Château de Versailles, or the Palace of Versailles as it is known in English, is one of the must-see destinations for travelers in France. Versailles is an outstanding example of 18th century French art and architecture and a place of great historic significance in French history. A number of tour companies offer group, small group and independent tour packages to Versailles.
Brief History of Versailles
The French Kings Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI preferred to conduct their government affairs from Versailles and thus it was the unofficial capital of France from 1682-1715 and from 1722-1789.
The royal quarters at Versailles were originally little more than a modest hunting lodge built by King Louis XIII. Louis XIV, the “Sun King,” chose to make his seat of power in Versailles. He commenced the construction of a vast architectural design, commissioning the architects Le Vau and Le Nôtre to transform the hunting lodge of Louis XIII and surrounding grounds into a symbol of royal absolutist power. Louis XV expanded Versailles considerably by constructing ministerial buildings.
Many of the prominent events of the French Revolution took place at Versailles. In 1789, the Third Estate convened at Versailles and took the Tennis Court Oath; in addition, it was at Versailles that the National Constituent Assembly abolished feudalism. When Louis XVI and the royal family were forced to move to Paris, Versailles ceased to be the unofficial capital of France. In 1837 Louis-Philippe transformed the Palace of Versailles into a national museum.
Places to See on a Tour of Versailles
The Palace of Versailles and the surrounding grounds offer so many things to see that a full day of visiting is recommended. However, many tour companies offer half-day tour packages. The following sites are open to the public.
1. The Palace of Versailles
The Palace complex includes the Hall of Mirrors designed by Mansart, the King and Queen’s Grand Apartments built in the 1670s, the Museum of the History of France, and the Chapel and Opera built by Louis XV.
2. The Gardens and Park
Louis XIV commissioned royal gardener André Le Nôtre to design and construct the expansive gardens of Versailles. This huge undertaking produced the Grand Canal, numerous sculptural fountains and the Orangerie.
3. The Grand Trianon
Louis XIV commissioned Jules Hardouin Mansart to design the Grand Trianon, a single-story palace and courtyard surrounded by a French-style garden.
Also known in some tour packages as Marie Antoinette’s Estate, this was the private domain of the Queen where she could escape from the pomp of Versailles. Designed by Ange-Jacques Gabriel in the neoclassical style and constructed 1762-68, the Petite Trianon has only been open to the public since 2006.
5. Versailles Fountain Show
The Versailles Fountain Show is available on Saturdays and Sundays from April 3rd to October 31st and on Tuesdays from May 18th to June 29th. The fountain show includes lasers, water effects and fireworks to the sounds of French baroque music composed during the time of Louis XIV. Shows begin at 9 p.m. and end at 11:30 p.m. Except for the half-day tours that begin in the morning, the Versailles Fountain Show is an option that can be included on almost all of the tour packages.
Palace of Versailles Tours
Versailles receives 3 million visitors per year and the queue to get in can sometimes be very long. Many tour operators advertise that if you book your tour with them you will be able to skip the long lines. Most tours include
admission tickets in the tour package price. Typically, food, drinks and hotel pickup and drop off are not included in the price of the tour. Check with the specific tour operator.
Versailles Group Tours
A number of companies offer guided group tours of Versailles. Group tours are available as half-day tours (4 hours long) or full-day tours (usually 8 hours long). The half-day tours are divided into morning and evening tours with an option for adding the Versailles Fountain Show to the evening package. Morning tours depart at 8:30 a.m.; evening tours depart at 2:00 p.m. There is usually some free time at the end of the tour to enjoy the gardens and sculptures. Be aware that the Versailles Fountain Show is not available year round; it is only available from April to October. If lunch is included it is at a restaurant by the Grand Canal.
Versailles Small Group Tours
Small group tours offer a more personalized experience and are usually limited to 8 persons. Small group tours are organized into half-day or full-day tours, the latter sometimes includes lunch in the tour package price. Half-day tours include the Palace of Versailles, the Hall of Mirrors and the Royal Apartments; full-day tours usually include additional sites such as the Gallery of Battles and the Grand Trianon.
Bike Tours of Versailles
If you prefer to go at your own pace or want to avoid the large crowds around the main sites, consider booking a bike tour of Versailles. Using an audio guide (available in most languages), the bike tour allows one to see more of the expansive palace gardens and surrounding forest and trails. Bicyclists are able to take in a number of sites that foot visitors often miss, e.g., the Grand Trianon, the Petit Trianon and Marie Antoinette’s Hameau. Most of the bike tours allow 8 hours to explore the palace and surrounding grounds.
Tours of Giverny and Versailles
Some tour companies offer a full-day tour (about 9 hours) of Giverny and Versailles that begins with a visit to Claude Monet’s house in Giverny. Claude Monet, one of the founders of French impressionism, lived in Giverny from 1883 to 1926. Visitors can see the pond, the Norman garden, and the water garden made famous in Monet’s ‘water lily’ and ‘Japanese Bridge’ paintings. Please note that Giverny is closed November through March and on Mondays. Summer time, when the flowers are in bloom, is the best time to visit Giverny. After spending the morning in Giverny, the tour proceeds to Versailles. Most tour operators will include the entrance fee to Monet’s home in their tour package price and some even include lunch with drinks.
Independent Half-Day Tour of Versailles
The Independent Tour of Versailles option includes air-conditioned transportation to and from Versailles as well as the entrance fee. Visitors can independently explore the grounds for 4 hours in the afternoon. Visitors have the option to include the Versailles Fountain show.
Versailles Tours Audio Guides
Audio guides for tours of the Palace of Versailles are available in a number of languages (English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Spanish and Chinese-Mandarin).
Versailles Tour Guides
Most of the tour companies offer services with English-speaking tour guides. Spanish is also common. However, some languages, such as German, Russian or Japanese, may or may not be available so be sure to check ahead of time with the tour operator.
Versailles Hours of Operation
During the high season, the Palace of Versailles, the Trianon palaces and Marie-Antoinette’s Estate are open everyday except Mondays and some holidays; however, the Garden and Park are open everyday. During the low season, the Palace of Versailles, the Trianon palaces, Marie-Antoinette’s Estate, the Garden, and the Park are open everyday except Mondays.
