If you do any research about what day trips to take from Paris, you’ll come across one dominant suggestion: take a trip to Versailles. It’s a quick and easy train ride from the city center, and can be done in as little as a half-day if you’re pressed for time.
So, on my last full day in Paris, I embarked on a journey to the palace of the Sun King. My adventure began with a metro ride to Saint Michel, where I made a transfer to continue my journey on the train. The ride to Versailles was pleasant, and upon arrival, I only had a short walk to reach the palace entrance.
I bought a ticket for a 9 a.m. entry (the earliest of the day), and arrived at 8:45. The line was already long, and only got longer the closer we got to opening!
It pays to arrive early in more ways than one, as you can see in the images below!
I spent nearly three hours exploring the palace’s interiors and marveling at the decorations and intricate details. I could have spent more time indoors, but it was getting super crowded, and I still had yet to explore the gardens. In fact, in hindsight, I wish I had saved more time to explore the expansive gardens and grounds.
To make the most of the time I had left, I purchased a ticket for the petit train, which took me from the main Palace to the Grand Trianon.
I only spent a few minutes there before walking the short distance to the Petit Trianon.
From there, I wandered to the Queen’s Hamlet, taking in the picturesque surroundings before heading back to catch the train back to the palace entrance.
I wandered around the gardens, enjoying the landscaping while waiting for the musical fountain show to begin. It was absolutely fantastic to see the historic fountains in action.
I had hoped to stay for the historical display, but my time in the gardens came to an end when the sky turned an ominous gray… I left before any rain started, but it was fortunate that I made the call to leave when I did, as it started raining heavily as I was arriving at the train station.
Overall, my visit to Versailles was a remarkable experience. The grandeur of the palace and of the gardens left a lasting impression. If I were to revisit, I would definitely allocate more time to wander through the vast grounds and soak in the beauty that Versailles has to offer.
There are many different booking options, both through the official site and third party providers. I elected to purchase the ‘Versailles Passport’ that allows entry to Palace (timed), Estate of Trianon, and the Musical Gardens (seasonal).
Love the time comparison photos! Definitely motivation to get up early!