Beyond Paris
Versailles: the back story
The back story
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Myrabella · CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia CommonsAbout Versailles: the back story
The Palace and Park of Versailles, listed by UNESCO since 1979, lie south-west of Paris: the palace with the Hall of Mirrors, the gardens and fountains, and Marie-Antoinette’s estate at the Trianon.
Getting there
By RER C to Versailles Château Rive Gauche, or by train from Saint-Lazare or Montparnasse.
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Anitsircana · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia CommonsThe palace
The State Apartments and the Hall of Mirrors; book a timed ticket on the palace’s official website.
RER C runs to Versailles Château Rive Gauche; trains also leave from Saint-Lazare and Montparnasse.
The gardens
The gardens and the Trianon estate.
Our advice: arrive at opening time, and see the gardens in the afternoon.
Why it's on our list
- Getting there
- The palace
- The gardens
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Versailles: the back story before you go.
What’s nearby
Distances from Versailles: the back story are approximate, measured in a straight line (as the crow flies). Times are approximate too: walking at about 80 metres a minute, cycling at about 14 km/h and driving at typical city-traffic speeds. Traffic and routes vary.
Key sights
- Eiffel Tower14 kmCar or taxi 52 min
- Arc de Triomphe15 kmCar or taxi 55 min
- Musée d’Orsay16 kmCar or taxi 59 min
- Place Vendôme17 kmCar or taxi 61 min
- The Louvre17 kmCar or taxi 62 min
- Palais Garnier17 kmCar or taxi 62 min
- Notre-Dame18 kmCar or taxi 64 min
- Sacré-Cœur19 kmCar or taxi 67 min
- Charles de Gaulle Airport40 kmCar or taxi 138 min
Main railway stations
- Gare Montparnasse15 kmCar or taxi 55 min
- Gare Saint-Lazare17 kmCar or taxi 62 min
- Gare de Lyon19 kmCar or taxi 69 min
- Gare du Nord19 kmCar or taxi 69 min
- Gare de l’Est19 kmCar or taxi 69 min