Versailles

Royal grandeur just outside Paris

Versailles stands as a major city in France, located about twenty kilometers west of Paris. The area is known for its grand history and royal heritage. Key attractions include the Palace of Versailles, famous for its large gardens and opulent rooms once used by French kings. Visitors can explore ornate halls like the Hall of Mirrors and learn about court life from centuries ago. The city also features museums, parks and cafes that reflect both historic charm and modern daily living.

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City in France

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$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 7.2

General Safety:	7
Health & medical:	8
Accessibility:	6
Tap water:	7

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4/5

English is widely spoken in the palace, museums, and most hotels and restaurants. Signage and audio guides are available in English, making it easy for international visitors to get around and enjoy the sights.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Versailles Summary

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World-class for royal history and palace architecture. Tour lavish palace halls, stroll grand gardens, watch fountain shows and explore historic estates and museums.

Place score

8.5

Best at:

Historic sites

Castles

Museums

Guided tours

Gardens & parks

Personal score

Suited for

👶 6

Families

🧓 6

Seniors

❤️ 8

Couples

🛡️ 7

Travel Beginners

France – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type E Type C: Type E: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Euro (EUR) £1 ≈ €1.19
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted, especially in cities and tourist areas. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is optional but appreciated in restaurants (5-10%) and for exceptional service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is allowed in designated areas, but restrictions apply in some cities.
Public smoking:	Smoking is banned in indoor public spaces but common in outdoor cafes.

Bastille Day (July)	Parades and fireworks occur nationwide.
Easter (March/April)	Cultural celebrations and closures.
Christmas (December)	Markets and festive events.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 112 (EU emergency), 15 (Ambulance), 17 (Police), 18 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Bolt, Heetch
Other:	France offers diverse experiences, from art and culture to nature and cuisine. Be cautious in crowded areas.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

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Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Versailles, France

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Jun

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High season:	April - Sep.
Shoulder season:	March, Oct.
Crowdedness:	9 (Very crowded)

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Climate details

Palace closed Mondays; book timed tickets ahead, queues are long from April to October

Musical Fountain Shows run at weekends from April to October, Musical Gardens daily in the same period

Fountains and gardens are quietest and least attractive from November to March

Don't miss

🪞 Stand in awe inside the Hall of Mirrors
🌳 Explore the sprawling Gardens of Versailles
🏡 Visit Marie Antoinette’s charming Queen’s Hamlet
🚣‍♂️ Rent a boat on the Grand Canal
🎨 Discover history in the Gallery of Battles
🎶 Attend a Musical Fountains show in summer

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Why travel to Versailles?

The Palace of Versailles is a masterpiece of art, architecture and ambition – Louis XIV’s vision of royal power, now a UNESCO World Heritage site. You’ll wander through glittering halls, lush gardens and hidden groves, learning about the kings, queens and revolutions that shaped France. Beyond the palace, Versailles itself is a charming town with lively markets and classic French cafés. Be prepared: crowds can be huge, especially in summer and on weekends and the estate is vast – wear comfortable shoes and plan ahead. Security is tight and large bags aren’t allowed, so pack light and expect bag checks at entrances.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Palace of Versailles
The Palace of Versailles is a magnificent former royal residence, featuring opulent halls and gardens spanning vast grounds. Its iconic Hall of Mirrors reflects light across expansive rooms, while formal fountains and manicured lawns create a breathtaking landscape that once hosted European royalty.
2 Petit Trianon
3 Grand Trianon
4 Hall of Mirrors

🎡Places for activities

1 Le Potager du Roi
2 Square de Versailles

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Grand Parc
2 Orangerie Museum
3 Park of Versailles
4 Grand Canal

🛍️Shopping

1 Palace Souvenirs
2 Cave vin bio Satory
3 Galeries Lafayette l'Outlet
4 Rue du Maréchal Foch

🎈Events

Musical Fountains Show
Night Fountains Show
Royal Serenade
Versailles Festival
Christmas at the Palace
Spring Garden Festival
Heritage Days (Journées du Patrimoine)
Versailles Grand Masked Ball
Open-Air Opera
Art Exhibitions

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Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Reserve a timed-entry ticket; queues get long quickly.
Arrive early and start with the palace rooms, then explore gardens later when crowds spread out.
Wear comfortable shoes; distances are large across gardens, Trianon and the estate.
Visit on a weekday and bring a picnic – locals relax near the Grand Canal away from tour groups.

How to travel to Versailles

Versailles is about 19 km from Paris. The easiest way is by RER C train to Versailles Château Rive Gauche station (10-minute walk to the palace). Trains also run from Paris Montparnasse and Saint-Lazare stations. The town is accessible by car, but parking near the palace can fill up quickly.

Access summary

From Paris CDG/Orly: RER/metro plus train, usually 1–1.5 hours.
From Paris centre: RER C or Transilien trains, about 30–45 minutes.
Many visitors combine Versailles as a half- or full-day trip from Paris.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Versailles

Versailles has a range of hotels, from elegant boutique stays and classic French inns to budget options. Many are within walking distance of the palace and town center. Book ahead, especially in summer or during major events.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Hotel Le Versailles

8.6

Le Louis Hotel Versailles Château - MGallery Collection

9.2

Waldorf Astoria Versailles - Trianon Palace

9.0

Hotel de la Residence du Berry

9.0

Novotel Chateau de Versailles Hotel

8.7

ibis Versailles Chateau

8.4

Mercure Paris-Velizy Hotel

7.8

Hotel des Roys Versailles

8.4

Campanile Paris Ouest Chaville

8.0

HOTEL QUORUM

8.5

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Versailles

Versailles is walkable, but the palace estate is huge – consider renting a bike, golf cart or using the Little Train to get around the gardens and Trianon estates. Local buses and taxis connect the palace with the town and train stations. Comfortable shoes are a must.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

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+10 %

Daily expenses in Versailles are around 10% higher than the average across United States. That means you'll spend more on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-3 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to EUR) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£86	£195	£468
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£45	£104	£207
🍝 Food per day	£33	£82	£233
🚕 Transportation per day	£8	£9	£29

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£31
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£19
🍟 Fast food combo	£9
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£11.50
☕ Cappuccino	£3.40
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£5.50

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.80
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£17
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.50

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£11.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£23
🤧 Cold medication	£4.10
💇 Basic haircut	£19

Safety information overview

General safety

Versailles is very safe, with low crime. Expect security checks at entrances and keep an eye on your belongings in crowded areas. Large bags are not allowed inside the estate.

Health & Medical

Medical care is excellent, with pharmacies and clinics in town. The palace grounds are extensive — stay hydrated and take breaks as needed. Emergency services are reliable and easy to access.

Accessibility

Most main areas are accessible, but some historic rooms and garden paths have steps or cobbles. Wheelchair access is good in the palace and gardens, with adapted toilets and rental wheelchairs available.

Tap water

Tap water is safe and widely available. Public fountains are found in the gardens and park, so refill your bottle as you explore.