Is Versailles Worth Visiting? (Best Ticket Deals in 2025)
Last updated on April 10th, 2025 at 09:59 am
Is Versailles worth visiting, or is it overrated?
As someone who has been to Versailles five times, I can quite honestly, say that, yes, Versailles is definitely worth visiting.
Why have I been that many times? Because it’s so easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer size, opulence and grandeur that you don’t take it all in the first time. Plus, once is just not enough.
And as I live in France, and Paris is only two hours away, it would be rude not to.
Each time I’ve visited Versailles, I’ve taken a different tour and every single time, I’ve learned or seen something new.
Each experience had its own focus, but it was always the tour guides who made the trip so interesting.
Seeing Versailles through their eyes, sharing their passion and listening to them impart their knowledge made each trip special.
Listen to my podcast episode about the history of the Palace of Versailles
Why is Versailles worth visiting?
Where do I begin? I’m a history gal and spend many a happy hour reading up on the past and learning about those that have gone before me. I love it, and Versailles is full of history.
What was once a modest hunting lodge became a gilded palace, embodying the height of French cultural, political, and artistic influence in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries.
The Treaty of Versailles was signed within its walls in 1919, marking the end of World War I.
It was also the site of key political shifts, such as the declaration of the Third French Republic in 1871.
The life and decisions within its walls have had far-reaching impacts, including the onset of the French Revolution, spurred by the extravagance symbolised by Versailles and the disconnect it represented between the monarchy and the people.
Therefore, Versailles isn’t just a magnificent palace it’s a testament to France’s role in shaping modern history, art, culture, and politics.
What is the best way to see Versailles?
Without a doubt, the best way to see Versailles is with a tour guide who knows their stuff.
I’ve done a self-guided tour, and it just wasn’t as good as you don’t have all those little anecdotes and no access to private areas.
Which tour you do depends on what you want. The ultimate way to do this is to take an entire day, so you can take in both the palace and gardens.
But if you’re short on time, there are some great half-day tours that give you the highlights and must-see rooms in the palace.
Or, like I said, if you prefer to have complete flexibility then you can absolutely choose to do a self-guided tour.
My Top 3 Versailles Guided Tours
FULL DAY TOUR
Versailles Palace & Marie-Antoinette’s Estate Private Guided Tour with Lunch
The Ultimate guided tour where you’ll see everything there is to see, enjoy a gourmet lunch and have VIP access to places you won’t see on your own.
Skip-the-line access everywhere you go and luxury transport to pick you up and take you back to your hotel in Paris. Plus, all 5-star reviews make this one a great choice.
Book the Full Day Private Tour of Versailles with Lunch >>>
HALF DAY TOUR
Half-Day Private Guided Tour Of The Versailles Palace With Skip-The-Line Access
In just four hours, your guide will show you all the hotspots inside the palace, as well as, allowing you time to explore the gardens.
Skip-the-line access means you can optimise the time you have, and round-trip transportation from your Paris accommodation keeps things low-stress.
Book the Half-Day Guided Tour of the Palace of Versailles >>>
SELF-GUIDED TOUR
Versailles Palace Entrance Ticket and Breakfast at Restaurant ORE
This is the most recent visit to Versailles that I’ve done. It was December, so we focused solely on the Palace, although the ticket did give us access to the gardens.
We treated ourselves to breakfast with our ticket, and it was a great way to start the day.
Book your Self-Guided Versailles Ticket with Breakfast >>>
10 Reasons to Visit Versailles
There are so many reasons to visit Versailles beyond the history. Below, I’ve highlighted ten things you might enjoy during your visit.
No 1 The Hall of Mirrors
Probably the most famous room in the entire palace, the Hall of Mirrors takes your breath away. Any photos you’ve seen just don’t do it justice.
It’s where Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI celebrated part of their wedding, and it connected the King’s apartments to the Queen’s.
Constructed during the reign of Louis XIV, the gallery spans 73 metres with 17 large arched windows, matched by 17 arcaded mirrors on the opposite wall, totalling 357 mirrors.
Designed by architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart and decorated by artist Charles Le Brun, the hall was used for important court ceremonies and events, including the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919, which I mentioned earlier.
No 2 The King’s Grand Apartments
The King’s Apartments are a suite of rooms used for the daily private and public lives of the French kings, primarily Louis XIV, XV, and XVI.
There are seven rooms, each dedicated to a different celestial deity and aligned with the days of the week. The rooms include the Salon of Venus, Salon of Diana, Salon of Mars, Salon of Mercury, Salon of Apollo, Salon of Mars, and the Salon of Hercules.
They do a great job of showcasing the opulence of the French monarchy, with all the rich tapestries, ornate furniture, and ceiling paintings by prominent artists of the time.
The layout and decoration of the King’s Apartments were designed to serve both functional and symbolic purposes
They were the setting for the daily ceremonial rituals of the royal court, such as the lever (the king’s waking) and the coucher (the king’s retiring).
No getting up on your own and throwing on a pair of joggers, a hoodie and some runners.
Oh no, every single movement the King made, including getting out of bed and going to the toilet, was part of a bigger plan to reflect the grandeur and absolute power he had.
It was the same in the Queen’s apartments. She had someone to get her out of bed, someone to dress her, someone to brush her hair, and so it goes on. I can’t think of anything worse. Imagine not being allowed to dress yourself.
It’s a little overwhelming with the number of ante chambers and bedrooms each apartment has, not to mention the fact, that members of the court seemed to come and go as they pleased.
Privacy wasn’t easy to get in the Palace if you were the King or Queen.
No 3 The Royal Chapel
If you love architecture, the Royal Chapel is worth taking a look at. It was completed in 1710 and was the final building constructed during the reign of Louis XIV.
It was designed in the French Baroque style by architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart, with his successor, Robert de Cotte, overseeing its completion.
The chapel is dedicated to Saint Louis, the patron saint of the Bourbon monarchy.
It was designed with two levels, with the upper level reserved for the King and the royal family.
It was the place where many important events took place, including daily masses, royal weddings, and baptisms, most notably, the wedding of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette in 1770.
No 4 The Museum of the History of France
Established by King Louis-Philippe in 1837, the museum was part of Louis-Philippe’s larger project to transform Versailles from a royal residence into a national museum dedicated to “all the glories of France.”
The museum’s creation was a significant cultural and political act, symbolising the transition from monarchical to democratic France.
The museum’s extensive collection focuses on major events and figures in French history from the Middle Ages to the 19th century.
It includes paintings, sculptures, and artefacts that depict or are associated with significant historical events, royal figures, and key moments that have shaped the nation’s history.
No 5 The Gallery of Battles
This room, part of the Museum of the History of France, is huge, measuring 120 metres in length, and was designed to celebrate French military successes from the Middle Ages to the 19th century.
It was inaugurated in 1837 by King Louis-Philippe I, who transformed Versailles into a museum dedicated to the glories of France.
The gallery contains 33 large paintings depicting key battles in French history, including famous victories such as those at Tolbiac, Poitiers, and Bouvines, as well as more contemporary triumphs like the battles of Valmy and Jemappes.
No 6 The Congress Room
Another room created under the direction of King Louis-Philippe in the 19th century, this time for the meeting of the French National Assembly and the Senate.
It was used for key political events, most notably the declaration of the establishment of the Third French Republic in 1871.
Since then, it has been the site where the French Parliament meets in a Congress of both houses to revise the constitution or for other exceptional purposes.
No 7 The Gardens of Versailles
The gardens are a day’s visit on their own and are renowned for their size, grandeur, and symmetrical design.
Created during the reign of Louis XIV and primarily designed by André Le Nôtre, the gardens cover approximately 800 hectares and are a classic example of the French formal garden style.
One of the most distinctive features of the Gardens of Versailles is the numerous fountains, each with its own unique design and sculpture, such as the Apollo Fountain and the Latona Fountain.
The gardens also include the Grand Canal, a 1.6 kilometre long waterway, which was used for boating parties in the time of Louis XIV. I’d love to be able to travel back in time to see exactly what one of these parties was like.
Plus, there are several smaller groves and parks within the gardens, each intricately designed with a specific theme and decor.
And don’t miss the Orangery, with its collection of tropical and subtropical plants, including orange trees, palms, pomegranates, oleanders, and myrtles.
No 8 The Grand Trianon
In the same way as Marie Antoinette needed to get away from it all, so did the King. The Grand Trianon, located within the Palace of Versailles complex, is a separate estate built as a private retreat for King Louis XIV.
Constructed in 1687 under the direction of architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart with its distinctive pink marble façade, it replaced an earlier porcelain pavilion.
As you’d expect, it’s ornately designed with beautifully decorated rooms and furniture to match.
It has served various purposes over the centuries, including a residence for Napoleon Bonaparte and a guest house for distinguished visitors during the French Republic.
The estate also includes the Petit Trianon, a smaller château built later for Madame de Pompadour and famously associated with Marie Antoinette.
No 9 The Petit Trianon
As mentioned above, the Petit Trianon is part of the Grand Trianon estate. It was originally designed as a retreat for Louis XV’s mistress, Madame de Pompadour, but she died before it was completed.
It was actually Madame du Barry, his last mistress, who was the lucky recipient. However, when Louis XV died, she was banished from the palace, and it was gifted to Marie Antoinette by her husband, Louis XVI.
She transformed it into a private place of leisure and entertainment, where she could indulge in lavish parties and games away from the eyes of the court. The interior design and furnishings reflected Marie Antoinette’s preference for a less formal, more intimate style of living.
The grounds of the Petit Trianon also include the Queen’s Hamlet, a mock rural village with a working farm.
No 10 The Queen’s Hamlet
The Queen’s Hamlet, located within the grounds of the Palace of Versailles, is a rustic retreat built for Marie Antoinette between 1783 and 1787.
It really is lovely and was designed by the architect Richard Mique and landscaped by the painter Hubert Robert.
It was created as a private leisure space for the queen away from the formalities of court life.
The hamlet includes a farmhouse, dairy, mill, and several other structures and cottages sat around a lake designed in a rustic style, contrasting sharply with the classical grandeur of the main palace.
Marie Antoinette used this space to escape the rigours of palace life and indulge in the fantasy of rural living, and I don’t blame her.
But it’s not just a retreat, it’s also a functioning farm, managed by staff who tended to the gardens and livestock, providing a semblance of country life.
Where to buy tickets to the Palace of Versailles
The biggest tip I can give you if you’re planning to visit Versailles is to book your ticket in advance, regardless of whether or not you take a tour.
The Palace is one of the most visited attractions in France and it’s always busy, so having a ticket will save you a lot of time and hassle.
If you’re staying in Paris for a few days, it’s worth investing in the Paris Museum Pass, as this gives you access to over 60 museums and landmarks in Paris and beyond.
Alternatively, Viator has a selection of tickets available here >>>
When is the best time to visit Versailles?
The best time to visit Versailles largely depends on your preferences for weather, crowd sizes, and the types of experiences you want to have.
Generally, the best times to visit Versailles are during the spring (April to June) and fall (September to October).
- Spring (April to June): This period offers mild weather, and the gardens of Versailles are in full bloom, making it an ideal time for outdoor exploration. The estate’s natural beauty is at its peak, with flowering plants and greenery providing a stunning backdrop. However, be aware that late spring can also be quite popular, leading to larger crowds.
- Fall (September to October): The weather is still pleasant, and the fall colours in the gardens are beautiful. Visitor numbers tend to be lower than in the summer, providing a more relaxed experience. It’s a great time for those who want to enjoy the palace and gardens with fewer people around.
- Summer (July to August): While the weather is warm and ideal for strolling through the gardens, this is also the peak tourist season. Expect larger crowds and longer lines. The palace hosts several special events during this time, like the Night Fountain Shows and Musical Gardens.
- Winter (November to March): The least crowded time, but with colder weather. The gardens are not in bloom, and some outdoor features like the fountains may not be operational. However, winter visitors to Versailles can enjoy a more peaceful visit inside the palace.
FAQS: Is Versailles worth it?
What is the best day to visit Versailles?
The best day to visit Versailles is typically on a weekday, as weekends tend to be more crowded. Tuesdays are often the busiest as many other Paris museums are closed that day. Visiting early in the morning or later in the afternoon can also help avoid crowds. Remember, the palace is closed on Monday, and the first Sunday of the month from November to March is free for everyone to enter, so it’s busy.
Is Versailles in Paris?
No, Versailles is not in Paris. It is located in the city of Versailles, which is about 17 kilometres (10.5 miles) southwest of Paris. It is easily accessible from Paris by train.
What time does Versailles close?
The closing time of Versailles varies throughout the year. Typically, the palace closes at 5:30 PM in the low season (November to March) and 6:30 PM in the high season (April to October). The last admission is usually an hour before closing.
Can I visit Versailles without a tour?
Yes, you can visit Versailles without a tour. Visitors can purchase individual tickets and explore the palace and gardens at their own pace. Audio guides are available, providing detailed information about the site’s history and attractions. However, a tour gives you access to private areas and skip-the-line tickets.
Final thoughts on why the Palace of Versailles is worth visiting
The Palace of Versailles, along with the Louvre Museum, is an iconic landmark in France, and if you have the chance to go, then do it.
As someone who has been five times and will no doubt go again, I can’t recommend it enough.
Along with seeing the Eiffel Tower and Palais Garnier (the Paris Opera House), it’s one of my favourite places to go when I come to Paris.
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