Two days in Versailles France and a visit to the Palace and Gardens

We spent two days in Versailles France and visited the Palace of Versailles and it’s Gardens. A visit to the Palace of Versailles has always been on our bucket list and was one of our favorite trips.

Located in the Île-de-France region of France, it is a short drive or train ride from Paris. We decided to stay for two days in Versailles France to further explore the Château, it’s gardens, as well as the city of Versailles. 

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How to get to Versailles

Versailles is an easy day trip from Paris, it’s only a 30 minute drive, or a short train ride.

If you’re getting here by car, there’s paid parking in front of the Palace, at Place d’Armes, as well as a few other places in the city.

You can easily take the train from Paris to Versailles and stop at the Versailles Chateau-Rive Gauche train station. From there it’s just a 10 minute walk to the Palace of Versailles.

Where to purchase tickets to the Palace of Versailles

A visit to the Palace of Versailles was always a dream of mine. Getting to actually walk through the Palace on the tour was such a pinch me moment!

However, the long lines and crowds were a big hassle! Although the line did move fast enough, trying to entertain our little was the biggest hurdle.

I suggest purchasing your tickets online, more importantly, to choose the Passport ticket with timed entry. This is the best way to avoid the long queues, and make the most of your visit to the Palace of Versailles.

Access to the Gardens of Versailles is free except during the high season (from April to October), on days of the Musical Fountain Shows and gardens.

If you don’t have time to take a tour of the Palace of Versailles, then the gardens are worth the visit instead!

Palace operating hours

The Palace is open everyday, except on Mondays and May 1st. Hours are 9:00am-6:30pm, last admission is at 6pm and ticket office closes at 5:50pm.

The Gardens are open daily from 8:00am-8:30pm, with last admission at 7:00pm.

Top things to do in Versailles

Palace of Versailles Tour

Château of Versailles was first built in 1624 as a hunting lodge, and was later enlarged into a royal palace by Louis XIV.

It’s architectural grandeur has made it one of the top tourist destinations in the world, and is quite incredible. We went on a self-guided audio tour of the Palace of Versailles, and it was one of the most beautiful we’ve ever seen.

Strolling though each room, you can’t help but be in awe of its grandness and the extravagant lifestyle of that era. Each room was even more beautiful and opulent as the next. The Palace of Versailles was built to impress!

King Louis XIV built the Palace of Versailles to show the world he was “the King”. A fine example of his grandeur is in the Hall of mirrors.

Back then, mirrors were usually imported from Italy, but the king wanted to show the world that France can also produce mirrors, and so he did.

The Hall of mirrors is one of the most extravagant rooms in the palace. It was used mostly as the Kings passageway from his room to the chapel, as well as for family and court functions.

Walking through the Hall was truly spectacular, and one of my favorite rooms in the whole palace. A tour of the Palace of Versailles is definitely the highlight of our visit, and is so worth it!

The Gardens of Versailles

Stroll through the Gardens of Versailles

Our next stop on our visit to Versailles, is a stroll through the Gardens of Versailles. The Gardens of Versailles is one of the largest and most extraordinary gardens we’ve ever visited.

Built the same time as the Palace, work on the gardens took forty years. It was an immense project that took lots of manpower and lots of resources to make it what it is today. 

Covering roughly 800 hectares, the gardens are absolutely breathtaking! It’s beautifully manicured lawns are surrounded by vast forests with gorgeous hedged trees, and grand fountains sprinkled throughout the gardens.

Best time to visit the Gardens of Versailles

The best time to visit the Gardens of Versailles would probably be during the spring and summer. We were here in February, so the gardens weren’t as vibrant, but still very beautiful!

The Gardens of Versailles are such a vast garden to explore, one day really isn’t enough time to see it all.

Luckily, there are a few transportation rentals to help you explore the Gardens of Versailles. You can rent bikes, Segways, electric vehicles, row boats and a train ride.

If you’re short on time, then a leisurely stroll around the gardens on foot will allow you to still enjoy all the beauty of the Gardens of Versailles.

Visit the Grand Trianon

During our visit to Versailles, we got to visit the Grand Trianon. If you purchased the Passport tickets to the Palace of Versailles, then admission to Grand Trianon is included. Otherwise admission is 12 euros, kids under 18 are free.

The Grand Trianon was built at the request of King Louis XIV of France, as a retreat for himself and his mistress of the time. It was also a place where he and invited guests could take light meals away from the strict étiquette of the Court.

Walking through the Grand Trianon was quite different from the main palace. It was still extravagant, but more of a place to party and have some sort of “normal” life.

I especially loved the colorful rooms, with pink and yellow furniture, it was quite amazing! Our little one loved it so much, that she declared she wanted her room to be just as colorful and extravagant.

A tour of the Estate of Trianon should definitely be on your Versailles itinerary. There are so many other places to visit in this massive Estate if you have the time, such as the Petite Trianon, the English Gardens, and much more.

Explore the City of Versailles

We spent our last day in Versailles exploring the city. I’m sure the city of Versailles gets sidetracked as most tourists come to visit the Palace and Gardens. But I say add a sightseeing tour of Versailles as well, it’s so worth it!

You can easily explore Versailles on foot, it’s such a compact city, and all you need is a few hours to see it all.

Some of the city of Versailles other attractions to explore are it’s beautiful churches, and just getting lost in some of the picturesque streets and alleyways.

Visit the Churches in the city of Versailles

In Versailles there are a couple of churches worth noting. The Nôtre dame de Versailles, and the Cathedral Saint Louis. Cathedral Saint Louis, is the seat of the Bishop of Versailles.

Built in the 18th century, it’s Baroque interior is absolutely beautiful. Considered a historical monument in the city, it’s definitely worth a visit if your ever in town. 

The Nôtre Dame cathedral of Versailles was built in the 17th century. It was declared the cathedral of Versailles, before the title was given to Cathedral Saint Louis two years later. It is also considered a historical monument in the city. 

I hope our Versailles travel guide inspires you to plan that trip to France and discover all there is to see in this wonderful city.

We had the best time exploring Versailles and it’s Palace and Gardens. The Gardens of Versailles is so expansive, you would need a few days to explore it all!

We spent two days in Versailles France and felt it was enough time to see the main highlights of the city.

Although we didn’t get to see as much of the Gardens as we wanted to, it was still quite an experience.

Plan your family trip to France and visit the Palace of Versailles and Gardens, it’s an easy day trip from Paris, and so worth the visit!

Where to stay in Versailles

During our visit to Versailles, we stayed at Hotel Le Versailles. This hotel in Versailles was the perfect stay, with great rooms, friendly staff and parking.

The best part about our hotel in Versailles was the short walking distance to the Palace and Gardens.

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