Château de Versailles

Finding yourself at the heart of the most famous château in France brings you face to face with some astonishing numbers :  2,900 sculptures, 55 fountains and ponds and 352 fireplaces ! There is no other historic building like Versailles anywhere in the world. The ultimate royal residence, Versailles gained its reputation because of its famous occupants and its leading role in the History of France. It is easy to imagine Louis XV or Napoleon moving around in the opulent apartments or Georges Clemenceau signing the Treaty of Versailles. It is difficult, however, to imagine that it was originally just a hunting lodge belonging to Louis XIII where his son, Louis XIV, decided to relocate his court.

For all that, the attraction of Versailles does not only lie within its walls. In fact, it would be a shame to limit your family adventure to the Hall of Mirrors and miss the beautiful estate, starting with the gardens. From the Orangery to floral parterres and sculpted groves, the gardens offer regal perspective views for all the family to enjoy. Follow the path beside the Grand Canal or to the Trianon to admire the palace from another angle. 

All the luxury of France in one place at the Château de Versailles

Versailles is far more than a key chapter of French history. Relive important moments from its history with your children in spaces like the Gallery of Great Battles which contains huge paintings depicting great French military victories.  In the same way, a tour of the King’s State Apartment is essential to appreciate the sumptuous decor of the Hercules, Diana and Apollo Rooms. Above the fireplace in the Apollo Room is the best-known portrait of the Sun King.

This page of the History of France also has many surprises in store, like the Coach Gallery where the splendid, collection of deliberately ostentatious vehicles seem to stand awaiting their owners, from gleaming coaches to sedan chairs.

Finally, no visit to Versailles is complete without a stroll through the ‘à la Française’ gardens ! Armed with a map, off you go to discover masterpieces by Le Nôtre like the colouful parterre of the Orangery and the Latona Fountain.





 

By road : via autoroute A13, exit n°5 Versailles Centre/Versailles Château. Follow Versailles, go down Avenue des Etats-Unis then Avenue de Saint Cloud.

By bus : Versailles Express service from the Eiffel Tower to Château de Versailles Tuesday – Sunday :

Departure  07.45, return 15.15

Departure  09.45, return 15.15

Departure  13.30, return 18.00

Departure point at Port de la Bourdonnais in the car park for Bateaux Parisiens beside the River Seine at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. 

 Bus n° 171 runs from Pont de Sèvres (terminus of Métro Line 9) to Château de Versailles in 30 minutes if no traffic.

By rail : RER Line C to Versailles Château Rive Gauche, 10 minutes’ walk from the château.

From Gare Montparnasse station, trains to Versailles Chantiers, 18 minutes’ walk from the château.

From Paris Saint-Lazare, to Versailles Rive Droite, 17 minutes’ walk from the château. 

Opening times

The château opens at 09.00 every day except Monday.

The park and gardens are open every day, free of charge

Prices

Passport 1 day :

20€ except for days when ‘Grandes Eaux Musicales et Jardins Musicaux’ take place

27€ on days when ‘Grandes Eaux Musicales et Jardins Musicaux’ take place

Passport 2 days :

25€ except for days when ‘Grandes Eaux Musicales et Jardins Musicaux’ take place

30€ on days when ‘Grandes Eaux Musicales et Jardins Musicaux’ take place

Admission to château :

Full price : 18€

Reduced price : 13€

Admission Domaine du Trianon :

Full price : 12€

Reduced price : 8€

Address and contact details

Place d'Armes

78000 Versailles

Tél. : 01 30 83 78 00"