Château de Versailles Français

Palaces of Versailles

The Palace of Versailles is one of the largest castles in the world. The palace counts not less than 2300 rooms! Versailles with its splendid gardens remains one of the tourists' favorite visit when coming to Paris: In 2010 about six million visitors have discovered this architectural and cultural masterpiece. Please find here below informations about history, opening hours, tickets price, road direction and means of transport from or to Paris city center.

Shows tickets & city tours

Enjoy a romantic dinner cruise on the Seine River,
visit Palace of Versailles with a guide, get tickets for Paris best cabaret shows. See: Paris city tours

Paris city tours

Transportation between Paris and city of Versailles

Guide to transport between Paris and Versailles covering metro, buses, taxis and airport shuttles.

Transportation from Paris to Versailles

Private transfer services

A few companies operate private transfer service between Paris city center hotels and Palace of Versailles. The journey must be booked in advance. Please use our price comparison tool...
Read more: Transfer Paris - Versailles

Taxis

Taxis use fare meters. The cost for a transfer from or to Paris is usually about 35 to 45 euros and the duration is about 25 minutes. However expect total fare and travel times to be much higher during rush-hour times (7am-9am and 4pm-8pm).

Bus - Coach

There is only one direct bus line from between Paris and Versailles. Bus line 171 runs from Pont de Sèvres (Metro station) to Versailles (Through Sèvres, Chaville and Viroflay).

Rail - Train

Connection to Versailles is made by RER C - a suburban train serving the following parisian stations: Austerlitz, Notre Dame, Musée d'Orsay, Invalides and Tour Eiffel. Travel time is about 25 minutes and cost is 3.9 euros one way. Other train services are also run out of Saint Lazare and Montparnasse railway stations.

History of the Palace of Versailles

The story of the Palace of Versailles started when King Louis XIII - father of the Sun King - decided to build here a small hunting lodge, which was first a little castle of brick and stone. After a few years the lodge was transformed into a real castle and Louis XIV who also liked this place decided, once king, to make it the official royal residence. More than 20 years were necessary for the architect Louis Le Vau and the landscape architect André Le Nôtre to make from Versailles what is is today: One of the largest and most extravagant palace in the world.

Visit the castle: Tips, tickets price and opening hours

Practical and useful information to plan a visit to the Palace of Versailles

Our tips for visiting the castle and its gardens

Our tips: First of all it is wise to arrive early morning when the place is less crowded with visitors. The best time to visit is certainly on weekends during spring and summer when the fountain show "Les Grandes Eaux" takes place however expect very long queues. Good to know: If you want to skip queues book a guided tour with one of local tour operators: A special fast line is set for them. See below for information about guided tour online booking.

Tickets price & opening hours

Tickets price: Single ticket - pass costs from 15 to 25 Eur depending on season and places visited (Palace, gardens, Trianon Palaces and Marie-Antoinette's Estate) - Tickets valid for the whole day, no exchanges or refunds. Good to know: An audio-guide in 10 languages is included.
*Tickets prices are indicative only (As shown on official website - Sep 2011).
Winter opening hours: Open Tue-Sun. 9am-5pm (Palace) and 8am-6pm (Gardens).
Summer opening hours: Open Tue-Sun. 9am-6pm (Palace) and 8am-8.30pm (Gardens).
Grandes Eaux - Fountain show: Every weekend from early April to late Oct.

Book a guided tour of Versailles and skip queues: Versailles tickets and guided tour

Useful resources

Map: Where is Versailles located?

Picture of Versailles Palace

Visit Paris: Travel guide & City Map

Planning a trip to Paris? Here is our city guide and ou travel tips. Visit Paris - Travel guide

Shuttle-paris.com