Palace of Versailles 2026: All the information a traveler needs for a perfect visit

If I had to choose just one palace during your entire visit to France, I would recommend the Palace of Versailles. It is undoubtedly the most impressive palace, in France in particular and probably in the entire world. It is no wonder that so many kings have tried to imitate it (Schönbrunn in Austria, Peterhof in Russia, Caserta in Naples, Drottningholm in Sweden, and so on), but no one has managed to overshadow it.

The Palace of Versailles is one of theMost popular attractions in France, and it is undoubtedly a must-see attraction for anyone visiting Paris for the first time (and the truth is, the palace holds so many secrets that it is also suitable for advanced Francophiles). To help you maximize your enjoyment of visiting the palace, I have put together a comprehensive guide for you that contains everything you need.

This is a practical guide that answers the most important questions every tourist asks, from how to get to Versailles, where to buy tickets, how much time to spend on a visit and what to see, to other fateful questions, such as where to eat there. But along with all this, you will receive my “secret spice”, which is the historical knowledge that will enhance your visit. So let’s get started. It’s not polite to keep Louis XIV waiting…

Tickets to the Palace of Versailles (advance booking recommended!)

Since a good number of you came here to find tickets to the Palace of Versailles (without standing in line of course), let's start with that and then move on to more interesting topics.

🎟️ Individual tickets and tours

✨ Combined tickets (best value)

Information for visitors to the Palace of Versailles

What to see in Versailles

There is quite a bit to see in and around the palace, so I have divided this topic into two parts. The first part deals with the must-see sites when visiting Versailles for the first time. The second part provides a few more options for “advanced Francophiles,” those returning to the palace for the second or third time.

Must-see sites in the Versailles area

Visit to the main palace

Naturally, the first place you will visit will be the main palace, which was built mainly Louis XIV and the 15th (with some later additions). There's quite a bit to see in the palace itself, but here are a few rooms you simply can't miss if you're visiting for the first time.

Hall of Mirrors

This is undoubtedly the most famous room in the entire palace and was built during the reign of Louis XIV to host royal banquets and ceremonies. Later, several important historical events took place here, including the declaration of Germany (14) and the signing of the Treaty of Versailles (1871), which ended World War I. Here you will find 1919 mirrors, gilded statues and, of course, swarms of tourists.

Residence of the King, Queen and Crown Prince

These are the official residences where the daily rituals of the king's life at Versailles took place (for example: the ceremony of getting out of bed). It was also where the important discussions in which the king and ministers participated took place. Over the years, the residence underwent changes and some of the rooms were "moved" (for example, the king's bedroom was moved to the central wing, so that it would overlook the courtyard paved with black and white marble).

As this is the official residence of the King and Queen, each room is more magnificent than the previous one and was designed by the best artists of the 17th century onwards, such as Charles Le Bern. After you have finished visiting the King and Queen's residence, don't forget to go down one floor and visit the Crown Prince's residence and the residences of Louis XV's daughters.

The Chapel of Versailles

The last place inside the palace itself that is a must in my opinion is the Royal Chapel, whose extensive renovation was recently completed.

This is a beautiful Baroque creation that can be seen both from the ground floor, as can be done in other churches, but also through the royal balcony, from which you can view from above. Furthermore, the acoustics in this chapel are simply wonderful and if you happen to listen to the rehearsals held there, in honor of a concert, then you have earned it twice.

Here's an example of what you might hear when you're there:

Gardens of Versailles

In my opinion, this is the most beautiful and enjoyable part of your entire visit to Versailles, and you should not miss it under any circumstances. It is a masterpiece of garden architecture, created by André Le Nôtre and contains statues, fountains, impressive tree-lined avenues and much more. In the following video you can see some of the attractions in the Gardens of Versailles, which are definitely not to be missed.

Since there is quite a bit of walking involved, I highly recommend wearing comfortable shoes. If you get tired, you can use the miniature train that runs around the gardens and can take you from place to place. If you have difficulty walking, go toLink this And read about accessibility and wheelchair rental on site.

The Grand Trianon

This palace was built in the late 80s, on the site of a village called Trianon, which stood there, and its purpose was to provide Louis XIV with an intimate place to come to rest from his busy schedule at the main palace. It was not for nothing that Louis XIV said, “I created Versailles for the royal court, the Château de Marly for my friends, and the Trianon for myself.”

Since the Trianon is located about 2 km from the main palace, there is a free shuttle that will take you from the palace to the Trianon.

The Petit Trianon and Marie Antoinette's Village

The Petit Trianon was built for the benefit of Madame de Pompadour, the famous mistress of Louis XV, but she died before construction was completed and so it passed into the possession of Madame du Barry, an equally iconic mistress. When Louis XVI came to power, he gave the palace to his wife Marie Antoinette, where she created a sort of refuge for herself from the intrigues of the king's palace.

Here is a short video that takes place inside the Petit Trianon and will allow you to visit some of its rooms:

After you have finished visiting the palace, you are invited to go and see the Queen's Village (Le Hameau de la reine). This is an imitation of a village, similar to the one you can find inNormandy, created at the request of Queen Marie Antoinette. You will find small houses, a cowshed, an artificial lake, and more. Contrary to rumors, it was not the queen who was involved in the milking and gardening, but rather professional farmers who were brought to the place for this purpose.

You can see what the Queen's farm looks like by watching a clip from Frances Ford Coppola's film "Marie Antoinette" below:

Advanced sites in Versailles

You've visited all the "must-sees" and now that you're returning to Versailles for the second (or twentieth) time, are you looking to see a few more places you haven't seen and that not all tourists know about? Here are some options.

The King's private residence

This is not the king's official residence, where all the daily ceremonies of Versailles took place, but a small and intimate wing, whose windows face a small and secret courtyard, where the king preferred to spend his free time with his close friends (there were quite a few courtiers who lived their entire lives in Versailles and never set foot there).

You cannot enter these rooms independently and can only do so with a guided tour. You can read more about this and book tickets atLink this.

Battle Gallery

This is a must-see section for history buffs like me and, in my opinion, is a kind of continuation of a visit toCarnival MuseumHere you will find pictures painted by the best French painters of the first half of the 19th century (the most famous of which is Delacroix). These pictures depict a series of historical battles in which the French were victorious and whose purpose was to unite the French nation.

Visit to the town of Versailles

When Louis XIV built the Palace of Versailles, not all of his courtiers and servants could live within the palace grounds. As a result, a town was built near the palace, which later became a city and is definitely worth a visit. I highly recommend not missing the Church of Saint-Louis, built during the reign of Louis XV, and the neighborhood next to it that bears the same name.

Visit to Madame Elisabeth's Palace

If I had to recommend one place in the town of Versailles, other than the palace itself, it would be the municipal estate of Madame Elisabeth, sister of Louis XVI. The estate is not near the palace and you have to go there especially, but in my opinion it is definitely worth the effort. Address: 73 Av. de Paris. Opening days and hours: Every day from 11:00-18:00. Link to the estate's website.

Is it worth living in Versailles and if so, where?

Versailles is not only a magnificent palace but also a charming town that can be a great base for a trip to Ile-de-France. If you have the money and want a royal experience, I recommend staying at the Waldorf Astoria Versailles – Trianon Palace. This is a 5-star hotel, built in the early 20th century and located on the grounds of the palace itself. You will find a spa, a Gordon Ramsay restaurant, and a host of other treats.

Recommended restaurants in the Versailles area

You've walked, you've seen, you've been impressed, and now you're probably hungry. Here are some recommended places to eat in the city of Versailles and also inside the palace itself.