Check temporary closures as some rooms may occasionally be closed, either for renovation or to accommodate state functions (the palace is sometimes used to host visits of foreign dignitaries or joint meetings of the National Assembly and the Senate).
Another famous "must see" location on the western outskirts of Paris. Not only does it have enormous historical significance but also it is a very beautiful building. Do other tourists a favour: do not use your mobile phones inside as it ruins the atmosphere. Selfie sticks are prohibited inside the palace. Some parts of the palace are usually partially covered by scaffoldings due to the constant maintaining works in progress.
Since June 2020, a booking is mandatory to enter the palace - even if you have Museum pass or benefit from free entrance (under 26 (EU only), under 18 (everywhere else), or with an EU student visa over 6 months). Slots can be booked online or on spot, and guarantee an entrance within 30 minutes from the entrance slot booked. Book early to be sure to entrance the palace on the time you want. Missing the booked time does not necessarily mean losing your money, as the personnel at the ticket office will try to allow you to entrer later in the day, provided there are still slots available.
There is no time slot to visit the gardens, park and Trianon, so you may choose to visit one of these spots and the palace on a different order.
As a result, the long lines meandering over the entire square in front of the entrance do not exist anymore.
- Alternatively, especially if you have young children, access to the grounds is free.
- Note that it is often free to access the park from the Rue de la Paroisse entrance (leads to the Bassin de Neptune), or if you are walking, from the Boulevard de la Reine (next to the four-star hotel Trianon Palace).
If you are travelling with children then beware that you are not allowed to bring the baby trolley inside the palace. However, there are plenty of chairs around the palace that can be used to have a rest.
Other attractions on the palace grounds include:
- If you are in Versailles between the beginning of August to late September, you may have the opportunity to view a show put on at 21:30 by the French government. The show includes fantastical fireworks, classical music, and about 200 people dressed in period costume.
