Louis XIV moved the seat of French government here in 1682, turning a hunting lodge into a palace built to project absolute royal power, and it stayed the political center of France until the Revolution. The Hall of Mirrors, where the 1919 treaty ending World War I was signed, runs the length of the garden facade with seventeen mirrored arches facing the windows. The formal gardens, laid out by André Le Nôtre, extend for miles and include the fountains and the Grand and Petit Trianon retreats.
The Palace of Versailles, set at Place d'Armes in Versailles in the Yvelines département of the Île-de-France region, is the former royal residence of Louis XIV and the most visited château in France. A visit divides into three parts: the palace itself, the formal gardens, and the Trianon estate at the far end of the grounds. Inside, the State Apartments lead from the Hercules Salon through the King's and Queen's chambers to the Hall of Mirrors, a 73-metre gallery whose seventeen arches of mirrors face the garden windows. The Royal Chapel and the Opera House, built for Louis XV, are also on the route. Outside, André Le Nôtre's gardens spread across the estate with parterres, groves, the Orangery, the Latona and Apollo fountains and the cross-shaped Grand Canal, where rowboats can be hired. The Grand Trianon, the Petit Trianon and Marie-Antoinette's Hamlet lie roughly a 25-minute walk from the palace, or a short ride on the garden train or by bicycle. A thorough visit takes most of a day: about two to three hours for the palace, then the gardens and Trianon estate. Photo angles favour the Hall of Mirrors from its south end in late morning light, the Parterre d'Eau from the terrace above the Latona fountain, and the Grand Canal from the top of the main axis. Crowds are heaviest on Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, and between 10:00 and 14:00, when tour groups converge on the Hall of Mirrors. Arriving at opening time or after 15:00 is quieter. The palace is closed on Mondays, and the Musical Fountains Shows and Musical Gardens run on selected days from spring to autumn, which is when the Passport ticket costs more. Entry is by timed slot, and booking online avoids the longest queue at the entrance.
| Admission | Palace €21; Palace + Gardens fountain days €31; free under 18 and first Sunday Nov–Mar (~$22.90 / ~$33.80) |
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| Hours | Tue–Sun 09:00–17:30 (Nov–Mar); 09:00–18:30 (Apr–Oct); closed Mon |
| Typical visit | 4–8 hours (full estate requires a full day) |
| Best time | Arrive 08:45 to beat the main coach groups; avoid Tue morning (busiest) |
| Getting there | RER C to Versailles Château Rive Gauche (40 min from Paris, ~€4 each way); Bus 171 from Pont de Sèvres |
| Address | Place d'Armes, 78000 Versailles, France |
Location
Place d'Armes, 78000 Versailles, France
48.8048, 2.1204 View on map
Highlights
- The Hall of Mirrors, 73 metres long with seventeen mirrored arches facing the gardens
- The King's and Queen's State Apartments, including the Queen's bedchamber
- André Le Nôtre's formal gardens, the Latona fountain and the Grand Canal
- The Grand Trianon and Petit Trianon with Marie-Antoinette's Hamlet
- Musical Fountains Shows on scheduled summer days
Tips for visiting
- Book a timed-entry ticket online and arrive at 09:00 opening to avoid the longest security queue.
- Avoid Tuesday mornings and weekends, when the State Apartments are most crowded.
- Plan the visit around a Musical Fountains Show day if working fountains matter; the Passport ticket applies then.
- Wear comfortable shoes: the gardens and Trianon estate involve several kilometres of gravel walking.
- Bring picnic food or eat in the gardens, since on-site restaurants are busy and pricey at midday.
- Under-18s and, from November to March, all visitors on the first Sunday of the month enter the palace free.
When to visit
Arrive at 09:00 on a weekday outside school holidays, or after 15:00 when tour groups leave. Late spring to early autumn is best for the gardens and fountain shows.
Accessibility
Much of the palace is accessible by lift and ramp, and wheelchairs can be borrowed at the entrance. Gravel paths and distances in the gardens are tiring, so a garden shuttle or mobility vehicle is useful for visitors with limited mobility.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to the Palace of Versailles take?
The palace interior takes about two to three hours, and the gardens and Trianon estate add another two to four hours. A full day is needed to see the whole estate.
How do visitors get to Versailles from Paris?
RER line C runs to Versailles Château Rive Gauche in about 40 minutes, and bus 171 from Pont de Sèvres is an alternative. The station is a short walk from the palace gates.
Is the Palace of Versailles worth it for children?
Many families find the gardens, the Grand Canal boats and bicycle hire more engaging than the palace rooms. Under-18s enter the palace free of charge.
Is photography allowed inside the palace?
Photography without flash is generally permitted in the State Apartments for personal use. Tripods and selfie sticks are not allowed.