Palace of Versailles: 6 Things to see
The Palace of Versailles is home to several opulent staterooms, bedrooms, and gardens that were all built in the 17th century. The Palace of Versailles is the most famous castle in Paris and was home to King Louis XIV, a UNESCO World Heritage site, it displays the beauty of French Baroque architecture.
The Palace estate is enormous and covers over 2,000 acres. There is so much to do it's unlikely you’ll be able to cover everything in one visit. But to help you to try and see the best bits, here are some of our favourite things to see at the Place of Versailles.
The Hall of Mirrors
The Hall of Mirrors is possibly the most famous room in the Palace; a room of opulence and incredible beauty, it was created to signify the artistic success of France. The room has played host to many key historical moments, from the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919 to a masked ball for the wedding of Marie-Antoinette and Louis XVI.
The Hall of Mirrors is a must-see, however as it is one of the most significant attractions in the palace, the room gets very busy. If you would prefer to avoid the crowds we recommend pre-booking tickets for the palace for quite early in the day.
Things to do?
Admire its beauty and of course, take lots of pictures for the gram.
The Gardens of Versailles
The Gardens of Versailles are as famous as the palace itself. Developed by landscape architect André Le Nôtre, the garden covers 800 hectares of land, featuring grand fountains, flowers sculptures and perfectly manicured lawns. The gardens are tranquil, relaxing and it’s a perfect place for a picnic. You could spend all day exploring the gardens and it would be a day well spent!
The gardens are free to enter. However, during summertime, they host musical shows and there is a small fee for access during these performances.
Things to do?
Hire a segway or electric car and explore the garden's sculptures and fountains in style.
Marie Antoinette private chambers
Marie Antoinette is as famous as Versailles itself. The Queen’s grand apartment features furniture by Jean Henri Riesener, classic Sevres vases, a library and you will get to see the bedchambers where Marie Antoinette escaped from an angry mob through a secret side door during the French Revolution in 1789.
Marie Antoniette was accused of lasciviousness, but it took several years for her and Louis XVI to consummate their marriage.
Things to do?
Capture the moment and exquisite opulence that Maria Antoinette lived in.
The fountains
The fountains are a key element of the design of the gardens. There are more than 30 fountains, the most notable being the Latona and Apollo fountain. But, our favourite fountain is the Neptune Fountain. It sits at the top of the canal, it has 99 jets of water and features sea cupids and sculptures depicting Neptune and Amphitrite the goddess of the sea. Simply stunning.
Things to do?
During the months of March to October, the Palace has a musical fountain show which runs every weekend. Additional shows occur throughout July and September, with additional shows occurring on Tuesdays; Thursday and Friday.
The Grand Canal
The spectacular views of the Palace Gardens are dominated by the Grand Canal that runs along the centre of the Versailles gardens. The canal itself is approximately 1,670 metres long and it took 11 years to complete construction works.
Things to do?
Rent a boat and explore the canal (preferably in the summertime). The boats also offer fantastic views of the Palace.
The art collection
The Palace is inundated with art; from exquisite furnishing, frescoes, sculptures and a plethora of paintings displaying important events in French history. The Palace is home to over 60,000 pieces of art, including the royal chapel were Marie Antoinette married the king. The chapel is opulent and features spectacular sculptured works, with a baroque aesthetic and a nod to Gothic architecture. It is also currently being used for musical concerts and other private events.
The palace has a series of exhibitions throughout the year. Visit the Chateau Versailles website to discover what exhibitions are currently on.
Tips for visiting Versailles
Booking tickets?
Book tickets online to avoid the long queues. Visit the Palace of Versailles Website to book now.
Alternatively, if you don’t book to avoid the long queues and crowds of people within the Palace, we would recommend visiting the gardens first then head to the Palace after.
Best time to visit?
Versailles is a fantastic place to visit throughout the year, however, the gardens are best enjoyed throughout the summertime. We would recommend May or June when summertime shows commence and the crowds at the castle are still manageable. July and August are by far the busiest months of the year.
During the winter, the Palace of Versailles looks sensational when there is snow across the gardens, which can be a beautiful site, however, you most likely won't get to appreciate the gardens in all their glory or the canal.
Getting there?
Versailles is located outside of Paris. It takes a quick one-hour train ride to get there. Versailles Rive Gauche is the closet train station to the Palace and it’s just a short 10-minute walk away.
Guided tours?
We recommend using the audio guide and map available on the free Palace of Versailles mobile app so you can explore the Palace at your own pace.
Location:
Place d’Armes 78000 Versailles, France
Opening Hours:
Daily 9.00 am – 5.30 pm (except Monday)
Last Admission:
5 pm (Ticket office closes at 4.50 pm)
