There’s so much to see and do in Paris, it can be hard to decide if you should skip seeing the city for a day to explore Versailles. In this post, I’ve included everything you need to know about a day trip from Paris to Versailles, including whether it’s worth it – or not!
Can you do a day trip from Paris to Versailles?
Absolutely! Versailles is under an hour from Paris by train, and the suburb of Versailles and Palace of Versailles are well laid-out and walkable for tourists. While there’s a lot to see, a day trip is perfect for seeing the highlights such as the Hall of Mirrors, Palace of Versailles and gardens. I arrived in Versailles mid-morning and stayed until late afternoon before heading back to Paris for dinner.
Is Versailles worth a day trip?
Yes! Visiting Versailles was one of my favorite things I did on my recent trip to Paris. The palace itself is gorgeous, not to mention the grounds and gardens. There’s also additional palaces and attractions such as the Queen’s Hamlet, Marie Antionette’s English country garden and cottages, and the Estate of Trianon. Compared to the busy pace of Paris, spending the day at Versailles was a nice change of pace.
How to get from Paris to Versailles
To give you an idea of how far Versailles is from Paris, it’s 45-minutes from the Eiffel Tower to Versailles by train. The easiest way to get to Versailles is on the RER C train, which can be taken right to the Versailles Château Rive Gauche station. From the station, it’s a 14-minute walk to Versailles.
You can access the RER C train from multiple stations throughout Paris including Invalides, Champ de Mars – Tour Eiffel and St-Michel Notre-Dame. Tip: buy a roundtrip ticket so you don’t have to wait in line at Versailles to purchase your ticket back to Paris at the end of the day!
Secure Your Ticket & Timed Entry in Advance
You’ll want to buy a timed entry ticket to Versailles in advance of your visit. Tickets can be purchased on the official Palace of Versailles website here. You can choose from several types of tickets, such as a Passport ticket that gives you access to the entire estate of Versailles: the palace (with timed entry), the estate of Trianon, the gardens and more. This is the ticket I purchased and I loved being able to see everything. If you’re short on time – or interested in seeing something specific – you can buy a ticket that’s limited to a particular area, such as just the palace.
How much time do you need to see Versailles?
The estate is huge – here’s a map to help you plan your visit. I spent the whole day there, walked 20k steps and still didn’t see everything that was included with my ticket! If you get the Passport ticket, give yourself a full day and plan to leave a few things unseen. If you just plan to see the Palace, two to three hours should be the right amount of time.
Arriving in Versailles
When you get to the train station in the suburb of Versailles – Versailles Château Rive Gauche station – you’ll need to walk to the palace itself. Here’s a map showing the route; it’s an easy 14-minute walk on paved surfaces.
When you arrive at the Palace of Versailles, you’ll line up for entry based on the entry time printed on your ticket. Then it’s inside to start exploring!
What to See at Versailles
There’s A LOT to see during a day trip from Paris to Versailles and I recommend making a short list of things you want to make sure to see. Otherwise, it’s easy for the day to get away from you with so much to see and do. For example, I knew I wanted to see the palace, gardens and Queen’s Hamlet. This sadly means I did not make it to the rest of the Estate of Trianon or the equestrian area, both of which I hope to see next time!
Below are some notable things to see during your visit:
The Royal Apartments
One of the highlights of a trip to Versailles is seeing the royal apartments, including the king’s apartment and private chambers; Marie Antoinette’s apartments and private chambers; Louis XV’s daughters apartments, and more. These rooms can be busy and crowded, but the decor and architecture is really stunning. If you purchase an audio guide, you can listen to an explanation of what each room is and notable things to see.
Hall of Mirrors
The Hall of Mirrors is undoubtedly the most famous room at the Palace of Versailles, and perhaps the most beautiful room in the world. It’s where the King of France would have received over heads of state, and the setting of the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, ending the First World War. It’s been featured in movies and tv shows including Emily in Paris, Midnight in Paris and Marie Antoinette.
The Hall of Mirrors is located on the first floor of the Palace of Versailles, adjacent to the King’s Chamber. It’s definitely a can’t-miss thing to see at Versailles.
Gardens of Versailles
You could spend a whole day exploring the gardens of Versailles, designed by André le Nôtre (1613-1700.) One highlight is the Orangery, where you’ll find orange trees from Italy, Portugal and Spain, as well as lemon trees, palm, pomegranate and oleander trees. Other notable things to see include the Great Lawn, fountains, sculptures, parterres, landscaped paths and groves.
The Estate of Trianon
The royal family also had additional estates on the grounds of Versailles, the Estate of Trianon. This estate includes the Grand Trianon, the Petit Trianon, and the Queen’s Hamlet. The Grand Trianon is a large palace influenced by Italian architecture; it served as a second palace for the royal family. Much smaller, the Petit Trianon was built in the neoclassical Greek style and was a favorite residence of Marie Antoinette. Nearby, you’ll find the Queen’s Hamlet, where Marie Antoinette had multiple thatched-roof cottages built around English gardens.
Where to Eat at Versailles
The estate is so big that chances are you’ll be there during a meal time! Located on the grounds are Angelina, a famous Parisian restaurant and bakery; La Petite Venise, serving Italian food; La Flottille, serving traditional French food; and other restaurants. Note: there are actually two Angelina locations at Versailles, one is restaurant on the first floor of the Palace of Versailles, and the second is a smaller bakery and café at the Estate of Trianon.
Getting Back to Paris
Getting back to Paris is easy! Ideally, you’ll already have purchased your return train trip fare, but if you haven’t, you can purchase your return ticket at Versailles Château Rive Gauche train station. From here, you can take the 45-minute trip back to Paris.
Conclusion: Day Trip from Paris to Versailles
I hope you enjoyed this guide to taking a day trip from Paris to Versailles! If you’re heading to Paris, you may also enjoy my list of the 9 best things to do on your first trip to Paris. You can also find more travel inspiration on Instagram.
