Perhaps the most extravagant symbol of royalty in the whole of Europe, the Palace of Versailles was built by King Louis XIV as a symbol of his power. Spread over a vast area of 800 hectares, it offers its visitors a glimpse into the powerful world of French Monarchy. However, the attraction includes much more than the palace. The beautiful garden, the expansive park and the historic Coach Gallery are all worth a visit. Visitors can purchase a Palace of Versailles Passport ticket if they wish to explore the estate in its entirety.
Which is included in the Palace Of Versailles Passport Tickets?
The Palace
Originally built to be a hunting lodge by Louis XIII, it was later renovated to its present glory by his son Louis XIV . The Palace of Versailles. became even more significant in 1682 when it became the base for the government of France. Known for its architectural grandeur and historic significance, the palace attracts large crowds on a daily basis.
The Estate of Trianon
A palace made of exqusite pink marbles, the Estate of Trianon was commissioned by Louis XIV in 1670. The palace, though single storeyed, is an extravagant structure, with an expansive courtyard on one side and perfectly manicured gardens on the other. It houses the elaborate private chambers of the Emperor and the Empress, the State Apartments and the Peristyle.
The Temporary Exhibitions
Apart from the various attractions, the palace also holds interesting exhibitions within its complex. These exhibitions are temporary in nature and will change every few weeks. These exhibitions usually center around the palace, its history and the famous people who have called the palace their home. These exhibitions tend to be elaborate and interesting, and therefore should not be missed.
The Gardens and the Park
Louis XIV started work on the garden around the time he commissioned the palace. It is said that it took nearly 40 years to finish designing the garden. Trees were brought in from different parts of France and numerous sculptures and fountains were built to adorn the garden. The garden as we see it now is an exact replica of the original design, making it even more appealing.
The Musical Fountain Shows or the Musical Gardens
Marvel at the water grooving to the sound of music and watch the Palace of Versailles come alive with the Musical Fountain Show. If you are visiting the palace between April 4th and November 1st, do not miss out this magical experience.
The Coach Gallery
The Coach Gallery with its oak panelling and sedan chairs is indeed a sight to behold. Built years ago during the reign of Louis XIV, it still maintains its original appearance. It also boasts a collection of carriages that were used in the royal era.
Types Of Versailles Passport Entry Tickets
If you wish to make the most of your experience and explore the Palace of Versailles in its entirety, your best option is to purchase a Palace of Versailles Passport Entrance ticket. This ticket will allow you entry to not only the Palace, but also to the wealth of attraction surrounding it. Here's everything you need to know about the Palace of Versailles Passport Entrance ticket.
Passport With Timed Entry
With this ticket, visitors can gain entry to the entire Estate. This ticket also guarantees access to the Palace of Versailles within half an hour of the pre-determined time.
It includes:
- the Palace with timed entry and audioguide
- the Estate of Trianon
- the Temporary Exhibitions
- the Gardens and the Park
- the Musical Fountain Shows or the Musical Gardens
- the Coach Gallery
2-Day Passport
The Passport includes the admission to the whole Estate for 2 consecutive days:
It includes:
- the Palace (with the audioguide)
- the Estate of Trianon
- the Temporary Exhibitions
- the Gardens and the Park
- the Musical Fountain Shows or the Musical Gardens
- the Coach Gallery
What are the advantages of The Palace Of Versailles Passport Entry Tickets?
As you consider all the nattractions in the Versailles complex and plan your days of exploring, choosing a Versailles Passport Entrance ticket is essential to ensure that you do not miss out on the icons that have made it one of the most popular icons in the country.
Timed Entry
Versailles Passport Entry tickets guarantee entry to the palace within half an hour of the scheduled time. This means that no matter how long the queues are or how crowded the palace is, if you purchase the Passport Entry ticket, you can enter the palace withing half an hour.
Priority Access
The Versailles Passport Entry ticket grants priority access to the visitors. There are various time slots like 9AM, 10AM, 11AM, 12PM, 1PM, 2PM and 3PM available, from which the visitor can choose. Because this facilitates priority access, the visitor does not have to spend hours waiting in the entry line. Thus, the Versailles Passport Entry ticket allows visitors to beat the crowd and explore the Palace at their own pace.
Reduced Price
Visiting all the attractions of the Versailles complex such as the Palace, the gardens, the Estate of Trianon etc will prove to be quite expensive. However, if you purchase a Versailles Passport Entry ticket, you can visit all these attractions at a discounted rate. Therefore, if you are a budget traveller, you will not regret purchasing the Versailles Passport Entry ticket.
Explore the Entire Estate
The Versailles complex holds a wealth of attractions inside its curtain walls. What best way to discover these attractions than by purchasing Versailles Passport Entry ticket? Apart from priority access that saves a lot of your time, you get to also save money by opting for a Passport Entry Ticket.
Best Of Palace Of Versailles Passport Entry Ticket Options
Enjoy access to all areas of the royal estate with your Versailles Passport. While a basic entry ticket only includes access to the Royal Apartments, Hall of Mirrors, and the gardens - a Passport also gives you optional entry to Marie Antoinette’s Estate, the King's Private Apartments, as well as the stunning fountain shows.
Palace of Versailles: Essentials
Palace Of Versailles: How To Reach
The Palace of Versailles is located approximately 12 miles (30 minutes) West of Paris, in the village of Versailles. You can reach this attraction by:
By RER or SNCF train
Take the RER line C to Versailles Château - Rive Gauche train station, which is just 10 minutes away from the palace.
Take the SNCF train to Versailles Chantiers train station which is 18 minutes away from the palace or to Versailles Rive Droite train station, which is 17 minutes away.
By Bus
171 of the RATP bus system runs between Pont de Sèvres and the Palace of Versailles. It takes approximately 30 minutes for the journey.
By Car
Drive along the Autoroute A13 towards Rouen and take Exit 6. You can expect a cab fare of about €70 if you are traveling from Paris to Versailles.
Palace Of Versailles: Opening Hours
The Palace
Tues - Sun from 9AM to 6:30PM (high season) 5:30PM (low season)
Last entry to the palace is at 6PM (high season) and 5PM (low season)
Carrosses Gallery (The Royal Stables) Hours
Tues - Sun from 12:30PM to 6:30PM
Last entry is at 6PM
The Garden
Open every day, between 8.00 AM and 6.00 PM
Pedestrians can access the garden via:
The Main Gate (till 5.30 PM)
The Chapelle Gate (till 5.30 PM)
The Dragon Gate (till 6.00 PM)
The Neptune Gate
The Menagerie Gate
The Little Venice Gate
Things To Keep In Mind While Visiting The Palace Of Versailles
- The Palace is open every day from 9:00 am, except on Mondays. However, if you are planning to visit the estate of Trianon and the Coach Gallery, they open only in the afternoon.
- You can visit the Gardens at no cost, except during the days of the fountain shows.
- You can access the estate of Trianon both through the Gardens and through the city.
- The closest train station to the Palace is Versailles Château Rive Gauche.
- Due to security reasons, visitors are not allowed to carry large backpacks, metal baby carriers etc on their visit. They should be deposited at the storage facility provided.
- Read our detailed guide on Palace of Versailles entrances and pick the right entrance for your visit.
