Versailles day trip from Paris: how to plan your visit
The Palace of Versailles is very close to Paris, yet its scale surprises almost every traveller. A Versailles day trip from Paris is far more enjoyable when you decide in advance what to see, which day to go and how long to stay. This guide gathers the essentials, with facts taken from the palace's official website.
Where Versailles is and how long it takes to get there
Versailles lies south-west of Paris, about 20 kilometres from the centre of the capital. By car the journey is short, although its length depends heavily on traffic, particularly at commuting hours.
One important point for this season: the palace's official website states that the A13 motorway, the usual route, is closed for roadworks in the Paris-to-Versailles direction from 16 November 2026 to 31 August 2027. Allow extra time and check the situation before you set off.
What to see: the palace, the gardens and the Trianon estate
The estate covers more than 800 hectares and is made up of three main areas.
- The palace: the Hall of Mirrors and the State Apartments of the King and the Queen. The official highlights route takes about an hour and a half.
- The gardens: Louis XIV commissioned André Le Nôtre to create them in 1661. Parterres, groves, fountains and the perspective of the Grand Canal.
- The Trianon estate: the Grand Trianon, the Petit Trianon and the Queen's Hamlet, a more intimate setting, about 30 minutes on foot from the palace through the gardens.
Half a day or a full day
To enjoy the whole estate, the palace itself recommends setting aside a full day. Its suggestion is to enter the palace at opening time, walk through the gardens afterwards and continue to Trianon from midday.
Half a day is enough for the palace interiors and a walk through the nearest part of the gardens. If you would also like to see Trianon and the Queen's Hamlet, keep the whole day free.
Closing day, opening hours and timed entry
The palace and the Trianon estate are closed every Monday, as well as on 25 December, 1 January and 1 May. The palace opens at 9 am and Trianon at noon; closing time is 5.30 pm in low season and 6.30 pm in high season. The gardens and the park are open every day, except in exceptional weather.
To enter the palace, booking a time slot is compulsory for all visitors, including those entitled to free admission. Only the palace requires a time slot; the rest of the estate can be visited freely throughout the day. Hours, closures and conditions change: confirm them on chateauversailles.fr before your visit.
Practical advice for the day of your visit
Versailles is explored on foot and the distances are long. A few simple preparations make the day far more pleasant.
- Arrive early: the palace advises visiting the interiors from opening time, at 9 am.
- Wear comfortable shoes; there is a great deal of walking between the palace, the gardens and Trianon.
- Buy your tickets online in advance and arrive with time to spare before your slot.
- Travel light: suitcases and large bags are not allowed inside.
Versailles with a private chauffeur
With Paseo Privado, your chauffeur collects you from your hotel, drives you to Versailles, waits during your visit and brings you back, with no group timetable. Excursions are charged by the hour: €80 per hour in a sedan (up to 3 passengers) and €120 per hour in a luxury van (up to 7 passengers), taxes included, with a 4-hour minimum for Versailles. Child seats are provided at no charge.
The chauffeur is not a guide: he drives, waits and returns with you. If you would like a guided visit, we can suggest a licensed guide as an option, subject to availability. The service always requires advance booking, and your concierge adjusts the departure time on WhatsApp to match the time slot on your tickets.
Frequently asked questions
Which day is the Palace of Versailles closed?
The palace and the Trianon estate are closed on Mondays, as well as on 25 December, 1 January and 1 May. The gardens and the park are open every day. Confirm the dates on the official website before your visit.
Is it compulsory to book a time slot to enter the palace?
Yes. According to the official website, booking a time slot is compulsory for everyone, even with free admission. The gardens and Trianon do not require a time slot.
How many hours does the excursion take?
With 4 hours, travel included, you can visit the palace interiors and part of the gardens. To add Trianon and the Queen's Hamlet, the palace recommends a full day.
Does the chauffeur accompany us inside the palace?
No. The chauffeur drives, waits and brings you back, but he is not a guide. A licensed guide can be suggested as an option, subject to availability.
