Palace of Versailles

I wish I would have been there in Spring to see the beauty of the gardens and fountains, but then again, the lines and crowds were much easier in January…

You should go see this palace! Wow!

Unfortunately when my wife and I visited the Palace it was closed!! Still, we had a nice time walking around the gardens…

...to be honest, probably because I visited it after having seen the chateaux of the Loire. I also made the mistake of choosing the chateau over the gardens (it’s not really possible to see both in one day) – my friend who visited the gardens said Marie Antionnette’s village was the best part of her visit. I suppose it’s worth doing if you have the time, but if you’re only in Paris for a few days, I think there are better things to see and do.

I was in Paris for a week 2 years ago and had so much to see in Paris that I didn’t make it out to Versailles! C’est dommage! So next time I’m anywhere near Paris, I’m headin to Versailles to explore the gardens, palace, and whatever else I can find

Of course this isn’t worth missing. If I remember correctly it’s about 20 minute outside of Paris and I believe you can take the “C” train straight there, as I did to save money.

Try to go more toward the end of the day before closing and there will be less people and more chances of you to take picture on the grounds with no one in them – Looking like the Chateau is your very own! When I was there there was like a little mini-tram that took us all around the grounds, (I believe it was free – not totally sure though.) The Grounds of Versailles are lovely serene. However I remember there was a lot of work being done on the gardens when I was there and so I missed out on seeing that splendor. The Grand or Petite Trianon was a pretty pink. (I believe that was the house built for Marie Antoinette or on of the Louis’ wives (I can’t remember don’t quote me on it.). Definitely go though! There’s enough to do in Paris of course but this is a nice side trip.

Extraorinarily Wonderful. Do visit during low season though so you get to see everything without having to wait in lines.

Go early! The gardens are free, and open very early in the summer (I think it was 7 am)... I had the place to myself!

Les jardins sont magnifiques!

I got to pick my own birthday present this year, so I chose a romantic weekend to Versailles, visiting the palace. We went in March, during a very rainy weekend. Not all parts were opened (no Petit Trianon or Hameau) and many of the statues were still covered. But still there were a lot of tourists. We had to stand in line for a short while, but not too long. But the inside of the palace was crowded. You were kind of forced to move along with the flow. People walking with audio guides not paying attention – suddenly stopping in front of you or stepping on you :/.
There was one thing that really annoyed me: scattered inside the palace are several souvenir shops – inside the actual museum rooms. It really disrupted the atmosphere, they should have kept them at the end or outside.
The palace (particulary the furniture) was beautiful though. So I’d still recommend going here. But only go if you can cope with the crowds – I can imagine what it must be like in the summer!

I wouldn’t come back here though, if I’d want to visit another palace I’d try Palais de Fontainebleau