The Palace of Versailles began as a modest hunting lodge and became the most imitated palace in Europe. Louis XIV enlarged it again and again, and in 1682 he moved the court and the government here, an arrangement that lasted until the Revolution in 1789. Walking through it today you follow a route through the State Apartments, the King's and Queen's apartments, the Royal Chapel and, above all, the Hall of Mirrors, with painted ceilings, marble, gilded bronze and an endless sequence of rooms built to impress visiting ambassadors. The palace is a museum as well as a monument, so you also meet paintings, sculpture and furniture across the centuries, and temporary exhibitions change through the year. Visits are on timed entry, and you choose a slot when you buy. The ticket choice matters most: the Passport covers the palace, the Estate of Trianon and the gardens on days when they charge admission, while a palace-only ticket suits a short, focused visit. Whichever you pick, the palace is closed on Mondays, so build the day around a Tuesday to Sunday.
Why it is worth the trouble
Versailles is where you can read French history in stone. The Sun King used architecture as politics, and the sequence of grand salons, each dedicated to a classical god, leads the eye and the visitor towards the king's own rooms. The Royal Chapel soars above the court, the Royal Opera is among the most beautiful theatres in Europe, and the Hall of Mirrors, seventy-odd metres of arched windows facing mirrors and a painted ceiling, remains the showpiece.
Plan on three hours for the palace alone, and longer if you add an audio guide or a guided tour.
How to visit well
Buy a timed ticket before you arrive, arrive at the entrance a little before your slot, and go early on a weekday if you can, because late morning and weekends are busiest and the Hall of Mirrors can feel packed by midday. In low season, from November to March, the palace opens at 9:00 and the last entry is at 16:45, so a morning slot leaves the afternoon for the Trianon estate, which opens at midday.
Bags over a small size go in the cloakroom, so travel light, and wear comfortable shoes for stone floors and long corridors. The gardens are free in low season, so you can finish with a walk without spending more.
Know before you go
The palace is closed on Mondays and on 1 January, 1 May and 25 December. The motorway approach from Paris is sometimes closed for works and parking near the palace is limited, so the train, the RER C or a coach is the dependable way to arrive. Check on the day for any room closures, because some apartments close for works or events. A guided tour adds the stories behind the paintings and often shortens the queue, which many first-timers find worthwhile.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided route on timed entry through the State Apartments, the royal apartments, the Royal Chapel and the Hall of Mirrors, with audio guide and guided-tour options.
Best time
A weekday morning slot just after opening, since weekends and late mornings are the most crowded.
How long
About three hours inside the palace, plus time for the gardens and the Trianon estate on a Passport.
Tips
Buy a timed ticket ahead, avoid Mondays when the palace is closed, travel light for the cloakroom and come by train or RER C rather than driving, since motorway works on the Paris approach are common.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Every first-timer: it is the one sight that defines the town and the most complete lesson in French royal history.
- Families
- Children enjoy the scale, the gold and the Hall of Mirrors; keep the visit to two hours and plan a run in the free gardens afterwards.
- Couples
- Choose the first morning slot, then walk the gardens at a slow pace once the crowds have thinned.
- Pair with
- The Hall of Mirrors, the gardens and the Estate of Trianon on a Passport ticket.
- Time needed
- Three hours for the palace alone, a full day with the gardens and Trianon.
Good questions
Should I buy the Passport or a palace-only ticket?+
The Passport covers the palace, the Estate of Trianon and the gardens on show days, so it suits a full day. A palace-only ticket is enough if you have a short visit or will see the gardens for free in low season.
Is the Palace of Versailles open on Mondays?+
No. The palace and the Trianon estate are closed on Mondays, and also on 1 January, 1 May and 25 December. The gardens and park stay open daily except in severe weather.
Do I need a timed ticket for the palace?+
Yes, entry is by timed slot and numbers are limited each hour, so buy ahead and choose your time when you book. Arrive a little before your slot, since the entrance lines are separate for each time.
What are the palace hours in November?+
From November to March the palace opens at 9:00 and the last entry is at 16:45, closing at 17:30. Hours change in high season, so confirm the day on the booking page.
How long should I allow for the palace?+
Allow about three hours for the palace itself. Add another two to three hours if you also want the Trianon estate and a walk in the gardens.
