Palace of Versailles tickets from Paris in 2027
South-west of the capital, at the end of RER line C, the Palace of Versailles tells the story of more than a century of royal power, from the Hall of Mirrors to the groves laid out by André Le Nôtre. A day out there deserves a little planning: every visitor needs a timed entry slot, the gardens take on a different character on fountain-show days, and the Trianon estate only opens at noon. This guide walks you through everything you need to organise your 2027 visit calmly, from choosing the right ticket to catching the train back into town.
Why the Palace of Versailles is a visit like no other
It all began on a modest scale: in 1623 Louis XIII had a simple hunting lodge built on the hill. From 1664 his son turned that retreat into a residence of extraordinary ambition, first with the architect Louis Le Vau and later with Jules Hardouin-Mansart. On 6 May 1682 Louis XIV moved the court and the government here, and they stayed until 6 October 1789, apart from the interlude of the Regency. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, the estate counts some 2,300 rooms, around a thousand of which are given over to the museum.
The Hall of Mirrors, the heart of the Palace of Versailles
Built between 1678 and 1684 by Hardouin-Mansart, the gallery stretches 73 metres and lines up 357 mirrors across 17 arches, facing windows that open onto the park. Charles Le Brun painted the vaulted ceiling to glorify the reign. This is where the German Empire was proclaimed in 1871 and where the peace treaty ending the First World War was signed on 28 June 1919. A restoration carried out from 2004 to 2007 brought back its original sparkle.
State Apartments and the Royal Chapel of Versailles
The main route runs through a sequence of drawing rooms dedicated to the gods of antiquity, followed by the King's Bedchamber and the Queen's Apartments. The Royal Chapel, the last major building project of Louis XIV's reign, was completed in 1710; you look into it from a gallery, and its white-and-gold nave gives a vivid sense of the ceremonial splendour of court worship.
Which Palace of Versailles ticket should you choose?
The official ticket office offers several options. The Passport bundles the palace, the Trianon estate, the gardens and the temporary exhibitions into a single day: it is the most complete choice, listed at €35 full price and €32 reduced (official price, indicative, checked October 2026). A ticket for the Trianon estate alone is listed at €15 (€12 reduced). Our booking partner also offers a palace-and-gardens version, which suits you well if you only have half a day to spare.
Timed entry is compulsory at the Palace of Versailles
Whatever ticket you hold, booking an entry time is required for everyone, including visitors who qualify for free admission. Buying online guarantees access within the half hour following the time you selected. Turning up early therefore saves no time at all: it is better to arrive just before your slot.
Free entry and discounts at Versailles
- Free entry for under-18s.
- Free entry for European Union residents under 26 to the palace and Trianon.
- Free entry for disabled visitors and one companion, on proof of eligibility.
Even when your admission is free, you still have to reserve an entry time.
Palace of Versailles opening hours by season
The estate follows two seasons. According to the information published for 2026, the high season runs from late March to the very start of November, with the low season covering the rest of the year; the exact 2027 dates should be confirmed when you book.
| Area | High season | Low season |
|---|---|---|
| Palace | 9am – 6.30pm | 9am – 5.30pm |
| Trianon estate | 12pm – 6.30pm | 12pm – 5.30pm |
| Gardens and park | 7am – 8.30pm | 8am – 6pm |
The palace and Trianon are closed on Mondays. The gardens remain open that day, which can work nicely for a simple stroll.
The best time to visit the Palace of Versailles
The first hours of the morning and the late afternoon are generally quieter in the State Apartments. Tuesday, the day after the weekly closure, and weekends tend to draw larger crowds. In the low season, the low winter sun over the Water Parterre makes for lovely photographs and the rooms feel far more spacious.
The Versailles gardens and the Trianon estate
Designed by André Le Nôtre, who was joined by Hardouin-Mansart from the 1680s, the gardens are a masterpiece in their own right. The Grand Canal, dug between 1668 and 1671, extends for roughly 1,500 metres. The Latona, Apollo and Neptune fountains punctuate the great vista, while the groves, true outdoor rooms of greenery, reveal themselves at the turn of a path.
Musical Fountain Shows: the Versailles gardens set to music
In the warmer months, on certain days, the fountains play to music: these are the Musical Fountain Shows and the Musical Gardens. On those days the gardens carry an admission charge, but access is included in the Passport. As the 2027 calendar has not yet been published, check what is scheduled on the day when you pick your date; on evenings of the Night Fountain Show, the gardens may close earlier during the day.
Trianon, the intimate side of Versailles
To the north of the park, the Grand Trianon was built by Hardouin-Mansart in 1687. The Petit Trianon, a neoclassical gem by Ange-Jacques Gabriel, dates from 1762 to 1768. The Queen's Hamlet, built by Richard Mique in the 1780s, reflects Marie-Antoinette's taste for the countryside. Allow for a decent walk from the palace: the estate covers several hundred hectares.
Getting to the Palace of Versailles from Paris
The palace stands on Place d'Armes, 78000 Versailles. Several options will take you there from the capital.
RER C to Versailles Château Rive Gauche
The simplest route is RER C towards Versailles Château Rive Gauche, a terminus around ten minutes on foot from the palace gates. Buy a ticket that is valid all the way to Versailles: the town lies outside the area covered by standard metro tickets.
Trains and buses to Versailles
- Trains from Paris Saint-Lazare (Versailles Rive Droite station) or Paris Montparnasse (Versailles Chantiers), both a little further from the palace.
- Bus 171 from the Pont de Sèvres terminus of metro line 9, stopping right in front of the palace.
- Paid parking on Place d'Armes if you are coming by car.
A full day at the Palace of Versailles
With the Passport, a whole day is hardly too much. Here is a realistic sequence that lets you enjoy every part of the estate without rushing.
- Morning: enter the palace on your time slot, then the State Apartments, the Hall of Mirrors and the Queen's Apartments (about two hours).
- Late morning: walk down to the Water Parterre and the Latona Fountain, then take in the great perspective towards the Grand Canal.
- Lunch: a picnic in the park, away from the formal flowerbeds, or a meal at one of the on-site restaurants.
- Afternoon: the Trianon estate from noon, with the Queen's Hamlet towards the end of the day.
- Return: head back up to Place d'Armes and the RER C.
How long to spend at the Palace of Versailles
The palace on its own takes two to three hours; with the gardens and Trianon, set aside a full day and wear good shoes, as the walking distances add up to several kilometres.
Practical tips for the Palace of Versailles
Bags, pushchairs and security checks at Versailles
There is a security check at the entrance. According to the latest published information, the left-luggage service is temporarily closed and backpacks are exceptionally allowed inside; travel light and leave suitcases at your hotel.
Accessibility at the Palace of Versailles
Manual wheelchairs are lent free of charge, guide dogs are welcome, and parking on Place d'Armes is free for disabled visitors on presentation of proof. Some areas, particularly the sloping sections of the gardens, remain harder to reach.
Audio guide and guided tours
The palace's free official app includes an audio guide. Themed guided tours are also available on site, in addition to the entry ticket. With children, alternate between rooms and open air: the fountains and avenues provide a welcome breather between two gilded salons.
Book Palace of Versailles tickets with our calendar
Further up this page, a calendar lists the days of 2027. Select the date you have in mind and click "Check availability": we check for you whether places remain that day for the Passport or the palace-and-gardens option, and we can alert you by email if the situation changes. The price shown is the price for that day, updated automatically.
Picking your Versailles date in 2027
Keep in mind the Monday closure, the fountain-show days if you dream of fountains playing to music, and the French school holidays, which are busier. Once your ticket is secured, leave a margin for the journey: the entry slot is fixed.
Pairing the Palace of Versailles with other Paris sights
The return journey on RER C follows the Seine and stops at the Champ-de-Mars: an evening at the foot of the Eiffel Tower or a cruise on the river rounds off the day perfectly. The next day, the Louvre Museum, a royal palace before Versailles, sheds light on the earlier chapters of the story, while Les Invalides, commissioned by Louis XIV for his soldiers, completes the portrait of the Sun King. Our 2027 listings of concerts and major matches in Paris help you fit these visits around your evenings out.
Palace of Versailles: practical information
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Palace of Versailles FAQ
Do I need to book a time slot for the Palace of Versailles?
Yes. Booking an entry time is compulsory for all visitors, including those entitled to free admission. A ticket bought online guarantees entry within thirty minutes of the time you chose, so there is no point arriving very early.
Which day is the Palace of Versailles closed?
The palace and the Trianon estate are closed on Mondays. The gardens and park, however, stay open, so a stroll is still possible that day. Also check for any exceptional closures announced for certain public holidays when you book.
What does the Palace of Versailles Passport include?
The Passport gives same-day access to the palace, the Trianon estate including the Queen's Hamlet, the gardens, even on Musical Fountain Show days, and the temporary exhibitions. It was listed at €35 full price in October 2026, as an indication.
How do I get to the Palace of Versailles by public transport?
Take RER C to Versailles Château Rive Gauche, about ten minutes on foot from the palace. Trains also leave from Saint-Lazare and Montparnasse, and bus 171 links Pont de Sèvres with the palace. Make sure your ticket is valid as far as Versailles.
How long should I allow for the Palace of Versailles and its gardens?
Allow two to three hours for the apartments and the Hall of Mirrors. If you add the gardens, the Grand Canal and the Trianon estate, which only opens at noon, a full day is recommended, along with comfortable shoes.
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Palace of Versailles calendar 2026-2027: pick your day
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