FRA9 FILE · Museums & heritage
Palace of Versailles: tickets, gardens and a one-day route
Choose the right ticket, distinguish palace, gardens and Trianon, then build a realistic full day at Versailles.
See the essentials at a glance
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key points: Palais · Gardens · Trianon · Journée entière
Versailles: the right ticket, in the right order
Palace, gardens, park and Trianon do not always open together. Your ticket and Palace slot determine the day.
Palace essentials
- Best for
- First visit, limited time
- Duration
- 3–4 hours
- Base
- Paris
- 01Before the slot
Royal Courtyard
Allow for security before the slot.
- 02Palace slot
State Apartments
Follow the route without assuming re-entry.
- 03End of interiors
Hall of Mirrors
Keep time after the densest rooms.
- 04Exit
Water Parterre
Add only the nearby gardens.
Do not miss: This format does not comfortably cover Trianon.
Answers before booking
Is Versailles closed Monday?
The Palace and Trianon Estate close Monday. The park and some access points follow separate rules.
Palace or Passport ticket?
Palace covers the main interiors; Passport targets the whole estate and must be read with the garden programme.
Is half a day enough?
Yes for the Palace and nearby gardens; not for Palace, gardens, Trianon and Hamlet at a comfortable pace.
Which station should you use?
Versailles Château–Rive Gauche is best known for the Palace; Chantiers or Rive Droite may suit some origins better. Check the live journey.
One estate, not one palace
Versailles includes the Palace, gardens, park, Trianon estate and temporary spaces. The Hall of Mirrors is only one stop. Before buying, decide whether the goal is the Palace alone, gardens with shows, or the whole estate.
Choose a ticket without paying twice
The Passport is designed for the whole estate; the Palace ticket targets the main residence. Musical Fountains and Musical Gardens can change paid garden access. Prices vary by season, time, show and status, so use official ticketing and read exactly what is included.
A realistic one-day order
Book the Palace in the morning, cross the State Apartments and Hall of Mirrors before peak density, then eat without going far. Give the afternoon to gardens and Trianon, which opens later. Distances make an improvised return to the Palace expensive in time.
Seasonal opening hours
In high season the Palace normally opens 9 am–6:30 pm, gardens 8 am–8:30 pm and Trianon noon–6:30 pm. Closing times move earlier in low season. Palace and Trianon close Monday; confirm final access and the day’s agenda.
Free or paid gardens?
The park is generally free for pedestrians and cyclists. Gardens may be free on some days but charged during Musical Fountains or Musical Gardens. Do not confuse park, gardens and shows: the official calendar determines the needed ticket.
Getting from Paris and back
RER C to Versailles Château–Rive Gauche is the best-known route, but trains also serve Versailles Chantiers or Rive Droite depending on departure. Works and termini change, so check the outward route and especially the final return that morning.
Distances, baggage and accessibility
The estate involves substantial walking and cobbles are tiring. Bags larger than 55 × 35 × 25 cm are not admitted to the Palace. Travel light, carry water and suitable shoes, and review accessibility and mobility solutions before arrival.
Half day or full day?
Half a day covers the Palace and a nearby garden glimpse; it does not allow a comfortable Trianon visit. Use a full day for the whole estate. Preferential late-day tickets can suit a targeted visit, not an attempt to see everything.
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