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A day in Versailles, France

A Day in Versailles, France

Cécile Meir
Country manager @ Trip.Expert
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1 Day
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Much has been written about the beauty of Château de Versailles and its gardens, and all are true. The place is a masterpiece of architectural design, and the view is spectacular. A world heritage site, the former royal residence, and the center of France's administration, the history of the place is fascinating, and the place is full of exceptional treasures. No visit to Paris is complete without touring the sumptuous Palace and Gardens of Versailles. Do not miss the opportunity to see the incredible Hall of Mirrors and the lavish apartments of the kings and queens of France. That, together with the breathtaking park and its stunning lake and fountains, the Marie-Antoinette's Estate, and much more, are all silent evidence of the glorious and majestic past of this astonishing place.

This Versailles guide will navigate your way from Paris to Versailles, with arrival (transportation and walking) directions. It will also provide a detailed itinerary with all of Versailles highlights and must-see.
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A day in Versailles, France
7 places   
1
08:30 - 09:30
Go to Gare des Invalides Metro and RER station (or the nearest RER C station around your hotel). Make sure you arrive 15-20 minutes before departure so you will have enough time to buy tickets and find the platform. Take RER C (VICK or VITY trains) toward Versailles and get off at Versailles Château - Rive Gauche train station, it will take you about 40 minutes to get there.
  75007 Paris, France
4.2
2
09:30 - 10:00
Versailles Château - Rive Gauche is the Palace of Versailles nearest train station. It takes about 10 minutes of walking to arrive at the Palace and gardens of Versailles. It is very easy to navigate your way to the Château since the way is paved with directions and the locals are also very friendly and helpful.

Leave the station and go to Avenue du Général de Gaulle, then turn left to Avenue de Sceaux. Then again turn right at the Avenue and continue until you will arrive at Avenue Rockefeller. At Avenue Rockefeller, you will need to turn left when you'll see Avenue de Paris. Turn left at Avenue de Paris and continue at Rue de l'Indépendance Américaine until you'll see the Palace entrance.
  78000 Versailles, France
4.8
3
10:00 - 16:30
World Heritage and symbol to hedonism, power, and royals fall, Château de Versailles and the surrounding gardens are a true wonder of beauty. The place played an important part in France's history and was home to royals for more than 100 years until the French Revolution start. This is the place where Louis XVI and his wife, Marie Antoinette, lived before they were forced to leave and later were executed by guillotine in 1793.

The Palace of Versailles is a remarkable place, which tells an important piece of France's history. An exquisite, elegant and engaging, the Palace of Versailles is evidence of the French aesthetic, love of beauty, and nature. It is also a perfect ending to your trip in the captivating and irresistible City of Lights.
  Place d'Armes, 78000 Versailles, France
4.5
The marvelous Palace of Versailles contains 2,300 rooms. Among them, you can find the splendor Hall of Mirrors, maybe the most iconic place in the Palace. The spectacular 73 meters golden hall was built to celebrate France's prosperity and success and exhibit remarkable design, aesthetics, and arts. The grandiose golden hall which is full of mirrors and chandeliers was the royal's favorite for ceremonies and political events.

Other famous must-sees at the Palace are:
The King's Apartment, seven stately rooms which the king holds for official duties.
The Royal Chapel, with the exceptionally beautiful ceiling.
The King’s Private Apartments, lavish private rooms used by Louis XIV, Louis XV, and later by Louis XVI.
The Queen’s Apartments, which were is used by Maria Theresa, Louis XIV’s wife, and later Marie-Antoinette, Louis XVI's wife.
Marie-Antoinette's Private Chambers, appealing and elegant rooms for the Queen's private use.
Madame de Pompadour's Apartments, four private rooms of Madame de Pompadour, Louis XV's famous mistress.
The Empire Rooms, created by king Louis-Philippe to gain the support of Bonapartists and therefore dedicated rooms to the Empire and the memory of Napoleon.
The Gallery of Great Battles, the biggest room in the Palace. 120 meters long gallery that is covered with more than 30 large paintings displaying France's most glorious military operations.
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4
The palace's gardens are absolutely stunning and rightfully gained their world fame. You can spend the entire day there, and it will still be hard to leave those delightful gardens. The gardens are full of impressive green lawns, trees, beautiful flowers, imposing statues, and incredible musical fountains. The royal gardens of Versailles are one of France's most beloved monuments and a memory for a lifetime, for every traveler.
  Pl. d'Armes, 78000 Versailles, France
4.7
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5
The Park of Versailles is monumental, spectacular, and enchanting. It is a direct continuation of the palace's amazing gardens. The large and wide park includes the Grand Canal and the Lake of the Swiss Guards and extends over 800 hectares, approximately. The view of the 1,670 meters long Grand Canal is incredible and amplifies the beauty of the Royal Palace. The Grand Canal was a complex engineering project and was designed by the famous landscape architect and king's Louis XIV head gardener, André Le Nôtre. The work on the Canal starts in 1668 and ends after 11 years, in 1679 and the outcome is grandiose and majestic. The Lake of the Swiss Guards is smaller, yet splendid. It took about 9 years, from 1679 until 1686 until the Lake receive its final shape. Surrounded by vegetation and green lawns, the Lake is fetching and another lovely spot at the fabulous Palace of Versailles.
  78000 Versailles, France
4.6
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The wonderful Grand Trianon was constructed in 1687 and is very unique. It has a bold design and Italian-inspired architecture, it is covered with pink marble, has a black and white floor at the peristyle, and delightful gardens. Designed by the Jules Hardouin-Mansart, the palatial Grand Trianon was a place of escape for Louis XIV from the crowded Palace. It was also in use by Louis XV's wife, Marie Leszczyńska, during the summers. Another important residence of the Grand Trianon was Napoleon, who stayed there when he could. The interior is as well imposing, with fully furnished state apartments, private chambers, and the Cotelle Gallery which has 24 paintings, most of them by Jean Cotelle.
  Porte Saint-Antoine, 78000 Versailles, France
4.5
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Marie-Antoinette's Estate consists of the Petit Trianon, the English Gardens, and the Queen's hamlet. The Petit Trianon was originally ordered by King Louis XV in 1758. It took more than 10 years to build the winsome new palace that was ready for use in 1768. Following the death of Louis XV in 1774, and the beginning of Louis XVI's regime, the Petit Trianon was given to Queen Marie-Antoinette by her king-husband, and it became her favorite residence. The Queen closely supervised the design of the exceptional nearby English Gardens and the creation of the splendid Queen's hamlet which was established on a bank of a lake. While damaged during the French Revolution, it was Napoleon who wish and succeed to restore the palace and its gardens to the original design during Marie-Antoinette's days.

Today, dedicated to her memory of one of the most known royals in French history, Marie-Antoinette's Estate is the last stop in an entrancing journey in breathtaking Paris. A majestic ending of an unforgettable trip in the City of Lights and love, a place where everyone should visit, at least once in their lifetime.
  78008 Versailles, France
4.6