Palace of Versailles
The most opulent royal palace in Europe - the Sun King's vast baroque court of gilded halls and endless gardens, a UNESCO site outside Paris.
Saved in this browser only - no account, nothing sent anywhere. See your map
Illustrative image - a scene in the spirit of the place, not a photograph of it. Real photos are below.
UNESCO World Heritage
Versailles is the most opulent royal palace in Europe, the vast baroque court that Louis XIV, the Sun King, built to dazzle the world and rule France, a UNESCO site outside Paris. Its gilded state apartments, the glittering Hall of Mirrors, and the immense formal gardens with their fountains and the Trianon palaces are the summit of royal grandeur.
What you actually see
- The Hall of Mirrors - the glittering gallery of seventeen mirrored arches.
- The State Apartments - the gilded royal rooms of the king and queen.
- The gardens and fountains - the vast formal gardens, with musical fountain shows in season.
- The Trianon and Marie-Antoinette's hamlet - the smaller palaces and the queen's model village.
When to go
Spring to autumn for the gardens in bloom and the fountain shows; the palace is worthwhile year-round. Book a timed ticket, arrive early, and allow a full day for the palace, gardens and Trianon.
Honest expectations
It is enormous and one of the busiest sights in France, so book ahead, arrive early, and expect crowds in the palace, especially the Hall of Mirrors. The gardens are vast, so a bike or the little train helps. Fountain shows run only on certain days and cost extra.
Nearby
The Trianon palaces are in the grounds; central Paris is forty minutes by train.
What to pack for Palace of Versailles
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
