Versailles Palace Guided Tour with Garden Access
Description
Experience the height of French royalty with a boutique, expert-led journey through the world’s most opulent palace. Avoid the stress of the crowds with priority entrance and a limited 20-guest group designed for travelers seeking a personalized experience. Your professional English-speaking guide brings the Greco-Roman splendor of the Royal State Apartments and the Hall of Mirrors to life. After the guided palace tour, the entire 800-hectare estate is yours. Your premium ticket includes self-guided access to the Royal Gardens. You also hold the key to the Estate of Trianon, the King’s private getaway, and Marie Antoinette’s rustic Hamlet. Enjoy the freedom to explore these legendary grounds at your own pace, ensuring a seamless balance of expert storytelling and independent discovery. You can visit for as long as you wish after the tour.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Step into the heart of French history with a guided journey through the King’s State Apartments, prestigious rooms known as the Apartment of the Planets. Each reception room is a masterpiece of Baroque art, showcasing a sophisticated Greco-Roman theme where Roman names for the planets pair with legendary Greek myths to symbolize the absolute power of the Sun King. You will explore the Salon of Venus, the god of love, the Salon of Mars, the god of war, and the majestic Apollo Room, which served as Louis XIV's throne room. The experience reaches its peak in the legendary Hall of Mirrors, where 357 handcrafted mirrors reflect the golden light and manicured gardens through seventeen arched windows. Your guide will then reveal the Queen’s Chambers, where you can admire the bedchamber of Marie Antoinette. Throughout the tour, you will see how ancient mythology and French craftsmanship combined to create the world’s most opulent palace, all brought to life by your expert guide
After your guided tour, explore the 800-hectare Royal Gardens at your own pace for as long as you wish. For a relaxed journey, the "Petit Train" shuttle connects the Palace to the Grand Canal (fees apply). For those who prefer to drive, electric golf carts are available for rent. Please note that cart drivers must be at least 24 years old and present a physical driver’s license and ID. Alternatively, enjoy a beautiful stroll through the legendary groves and fountains of the Sun King’s outdoor masterpiece.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Even with group access, rigorous security checks and monument safety protocols can result in wait times of up to 20 minutes during peak periods, which is beyond our control
- This tour is unfortunately unable to accommodate wheelchairs, strollers, or guests with mobility impairments due to the historic nature of the route.
- Please wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a bottle of water as the visit involves quite a bit of walking
- The group will depart promptly at the scheduled time and late arrivals will be unable to join the tour or receive a refund. Entry is only possible together with the guide at the scheduled time.
- The gardens close at 5:30 PM on May 16th and July 14th, on every Saturday from June 6th to September 19th, and every day from October 25th to March 31st
- From April 1st to October 31st, the gardens of the Palace feature special Musical and Fountain Shows. Fountain Shows take place on Saturdays and Sundays, as well as on Tuesdays in May and June and on national holidays. Please note that the fountains operate according to a set schedule — they do not run continuously throughout the day. On the other days of the week during this period, the gardens host the Musical Gardens, where music is played throughout the groves.
- Plan at the very least one hour when coming from Paris, wether you are using the taxi or public transportation.
- The palace gardens are free from November to March (prices are adjusted accordingly, there are no fountain shows during this period)
- You can cancel your tour up to 24 hours prior to departure and receive a full refund. Please note that late arrivals and no-shows are non-refundable.
Reviews(1)
If you’re planning a trip to Paris, this Versailles tour with gardens ticket is a must! From start to finish, the tour was seamless, enriching and worth every penny. Our tour guide was extremely passionate, knowledgeable and a great storyteller. We learned so much about the history and secrets of the French monarchy, having a guide made a massive difference in navigating the crowds and highlighting things we would’ve missed on our own. What we loved most was the gardens, a self-guided visit was the best way to explore them so the tour is really well designed. We skipped the lines and learned so much about the history, 5 stars all the way!
