Versailles

Travel Guide

Versailles showing heritage architecture, a statue or sculpture and a square or plaza
Versailles showing a garden and a statue or sculpture as well as a small group of people
Versailles featuring heritage elements as well as a small group of people
Versailles which includes heritage elements, a garden and a pond
Versailles featuring heritage architecture, heritage elements and a statue or sculpture
Come to visit the magnificent palace and stay to explore the historic town, whose elegant museums and cultural hotspots are just as fascinating.

Versailles is synonymous with the extravagant gilded palace bearing its name. Take the time to explore the rest of this interesting town.

Before the palace was built, Versailles was an ordinary small French village. As work got underway on the royal abode in the 17th century, the nearby town was given a makeover to mirror the palace’s opulent style. The old village was demolished to make room for the Notre-Dame and Saint-Louis districts, where large mansions and grand churches were installed.

Make your way through the stately Notre-Dame district, built at the order of Louis XIV. Highlights include the Théâtre Montansier, the Church of Notre-Dame and the Musée Lambinet. Look for theKing's stables, home to the Academy of Equestrian Art and a carriage museum that houses the ostentatious royal carriages of the Versailles monarchs. While here, visit the bustling Notre-Dame Market complex to find fresh produce and snacks.

Don’t leave without visiting the Palace of Versailles. This glittering architectural masterpiece is the town’s star attraction. Next to the palace entrance lies La Cour des Senteurs, a courtyard lined with four perfume boutiques and a museum dedicated to the history of perfumery in Versailles. Step into nearby Potager du Roi, a famous garden that once grew produce for the royal kitchen. Walk along the lawns past fruits and vegetables cultivated using traditional techniques.

Before you visit, check the event listings at l’Opéra Royal de Versailles and book a ticket to see an opera production. This stunning Baroque venue was originally built to celebrate the wedding of Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI.

Versailles is located about 13 miles (21 kilometers) outside Paris. Use a connecting train from Paris to Versailles Rive Gauche station or Versailles Rive Droite station. Both stations are a 15-minute walk from the palace. The palace is closed on Mondays and during major holidays. But even without the palace, there’s still enough here to give you a taste of the royal high life.

Where to stay in Versailles

Versailles featuring night scenes, heritage architecture and a city

Notre-Dame

4.5/5(68 area reviews)

If you're spending time in Notre-Dame, you might enjoy attractions like Palace of Versailles and Grand Trianon. You might also enjoy the neighborhood's ample dining options before hopping on the metro at Les Portes de Saint-Cyr Tram Stop to see more of the city.

Notre-Dame
Inside the castle...

Saint-Louis

4.5/5(26 area reviews)

Unique features of Saint-Louis include the historic sites and bars. Make a stop by Grandes & Petites Ecuries or Jeu de Paume while you're exploring the area.

Saint-Louis
Sunday in the Park at Versailles

Chantiers

5/5(9 area reviews)

You might enjoy the restaurants while you're in Chantiers, and if you want to see some more of the larger Versailles area, you can catch a ride on the metro at Versailles Château Rive Gauche RER Station.

Chantiers
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Clagny Glatigny

4/5(1 area review)

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Clagny Glatigny and surrounding area, you can visit Palace of Versailles and Paris France Temple.

Clagny Glatigny

Porchefontaine

In the south-east of Versailles, this neighborhood boasts a sports complex and a green space enveloped by Versailles, Satory, and Meudon woods.

Porchefontaine
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Jussieu

Though Jussieu might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Palace of Versailles and Paris France Temple.

Jussieu
Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel
Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel
4 out of 5
18 avenue de Suffren, Entrée au 22 rue Jean Rey, Paris, Paris
The price is ¥49,940 per night from Jul 30 to Jul 31
¥49,940
¥57,840 total
Jul 30 - Jul 31
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Paris. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,315 reviews)
"Great experience great location"

Reviewed on Jul 5, 2025

Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel
Novotel Paris Les Halles
Novotel Paris Les Halles
4 out of 5
8 Place Marguerite De Navarre, Paris, Paris
The price is ¥46,609 per night from Aug 3 to Aug 4
¥46,609
¥54,176 total
Aug 3 - Aug 4
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Paris. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,035 reviews)
"Staff and breakfast were amazing. Location was excellent. Only complaint was the air conditioner. We stayed in mid May and apparently the air is controlled to not go lower than 24 C (75 F)"

Reviewed on Jul 9, 2025

Novotel Paris Les Halles
citizenM Paris Gare de Lyon
citizenM Paris Gare de Lyon
4 out of 5
8 Rue van Gogh, Paris, Ile-de-France
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ¥18,145 per night from Jul 31 to Aug 1
¥18,145
¥22,866 total
Jul 31 - Aug 1
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Paris. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,077 reviews)
Modern, but small and inconvenient rooms
"This hotel is new, modern, and well located. More suitable for corporate travel, rather than tourism. The rooms are small and the washroom has a glass door, basically zero privacy. Everything is controlled via an iPad: TV, temperature, lights, curtains, and having your room cleaned. While the iPad ..."

Reviewed on Jul 6, 2025

citizenM Paris Gare de Lyon
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Les Jardins du Marais
Les Jardins du Marais
4 out of 5
74 Rue Amelot, Paris, Paris
Stay at this 4-star luxury residence in Paris. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the spacious ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (2,704 reviews)
"Very nice and clean with friendly helpful staff."

Reviewed on Jul 7, 2025

Les Jardins du Marais
Aparthotel Adagio Paris Centre Tour Eiffel
Aparthotel Adagio Paris Centre Tour Eiffel
4 out of 5
14 Rue Du Theatre, Paris, Paris
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Paris. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (445 reviews)
"Best place of the entire trip"

Reviewed on Jul 2, 2025

Aparthotel Adagio Paris Centre Tour Eiffel
Adonis Paris Sud
Adonis Paris Sud
3 out of 5
196 Avenue de Stalingrad, Chevilly-Larue, Val-de-Marne
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly aparthotel in Chevilly-Larue. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,592 reviews)
"It’s good for the price"

Reviewed on Jul 3, 2025

Adonis Paris Sud
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Reviews of Versailles

4.6
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
45
5 - Excellent 68%
4 - Good
18
4 - Good 27%
3 - Okay
1
3 - Okay 2%
2 - Disappointing
1
2 - Disappointing 2%
1 - Terrible
1
1 - Terrible 2%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

The town is secondary to the grandness of the palace and all revolves around that. We did find a great restaurant for dinner but didn’t spend much time doing anything but eat and visit the palace.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Within convenient walking distance to the Paris Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which is the main purpose of my visit.

5/5 - Excellent

Mike

It’s Expensive but absolutely a must do if you are in the Paris area

5/5 - Excellent

a.testoria

Restaurant don’t open all day and most places close on Sundays.

5/5 - Excellent

Mark

Versailles is great. It is away from the main touristy thing of Paris but still has its own historical and local landmarks to keep you occupied.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Little unimpressed with the gardens.

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