The decadent and historic Palace of Versailles is an incredible place to explore. With a rich history full of intrigue and luxury, and a great many ancient artifacts, the palace is one of the top things to see in Paris.
While you can access the palace by paying an entrance fee, a guided tour is well-worthwhile, allowing you to know so much more about everything you see. There are a variety of guided tours available. We list a variety of different options making it great for romantics and families alike.
Know before you book:
- Wear comfortable walking shoes
- Strollers and luggage or not permitted
- All tickets include full-day access to Versailles
Highlights:
- See the iconic Hall of Mirrorsli>
- Skip the long queues and enjoy a guided tour
- Learn about the French monarchy while you explore
Built in 1682, under King Louis the 14th, the Palace of Versailles exhibits all the opulence of its period. It served as the royal residence until the French Revolution over 100 years later.
The historic palace is situated about an hour outside of Paris and has been kept in fantastic condition over the years. There is much to see here, and while you can cover the highlights in under two hours, it would take days to see everything!
Tours range from short, two-hour tours around the palace, with full-day access to the palace and its grounds so that you can explore further on your own, to half-day tours, to a full-day tour with lunch. Find the perfect one for you!
Versailles Guided Tour Prices 2021
The cost of the tours starts at about USD $50, including access to the palace grounds, and a guided English-speaking tour with headphones. There are plenty of options to choose from, including tours with and without transport included, evening tours, and full-day private tours with lunch. These cost up to about USD $160.
Compare prices across the ticket providers below:
Times
The Palace of Versailles is open six days a week between 9 am and 5:30 pm. All tours include full-day access to the palace and its grounds. The park is open every day, but for first-time visitors, we suggest you don’t go on a Monday, as most of the palace is closed.
Tuesday – Friday: 9am – 5:30pm
Saturday – Sunday: 9am – 5:30pm
Best time to go
The best time to visit Versailles is during spring and fall when the crowds aren’t as full as during summer, but the weather is still lovely. Versailles is popular throughout the year, so it’s best to go as soon as it opens. You’ll have time to explore before it gets busy!
Versailles Private Tours from Paris
You can find a private tour that runs directly from Paris and includes pick-up from a central point or from your location.
Alternatively, you can catch a train to Versailles. These run frequently and are the cheapest and easiest way to reach the palace. The trip takes up to an hour.
Versailles Private Tour Packages
The classic private tour is short and sweet, offering plenty of time afterward to explore. You can also choose a half-day tour to learn a more about the palace, or a full-day tour, for those looking for something special!
Private Tour Versailles
Skip the lines and enjoy a private palace of Versailles guided tour. Perfect for those with little time, you will see all of the grand palace’s highlights, including the King’s bedroom and the Hall of Mirrors.
The local guides are knowledgable and enthusiastic, and the priority access saves you hours of your time, particularly during peak season! While short, this classic Versailles palace tour also provides you with a full-day ticket. So after your tour ends, you can continue to spend as much time as you’d like exploring before it closes.
- Full-day entrance fees
- Skip-the-line access
- Guided tour
- Access to the palace gardens
- Gratuity
- Food and beverages
- Guided tour of the gardens
- Transport
Once you’ve made your way to the palace of Versailles, you’ll find your guide at a prearranged point. Tour the halls of the palace and learn about its rich and colorful history. The tour group is small, and the guide speaks in English.
There are many visitors at this iconic Paris highlight, so you may be provided with headphones in order to better hear your guide.
Check Price & bookVersailles Half Day Tour
For a more in-detail tour of the palace and its gardens, the Versailles half day tour from Paris is best! The ticket includes hotel pick-up and drop-off, and a multi-lingual guide.
Immerse yourself in this architectural wonder and learn all its many secrets.
Depending on the half-day tour you choose, you’ll either have time to explore the lush, curated gardens, or it will even be included in the tour! Walk in the footsteps of historic noblemen and women, and enjoy the magical French beauty of it all.
- Luxury transport
- Entrance fees
- Skip-the-line access
- Guided tour and headphones
- Access/tour of the palace gardens
- Gratuity
- Food and beverages
Full-day Private Tours of Versailles
For a uniquely luxurious experience, you can enjoy a full-day guided tour of Versailles. Explore the grounds and the palace rooms in your own time with a private guide, and enjoy a delicious lunch facing the Grand Canal.
This tour is perfect for couples on a honeymoon or treating themselves to something special. Guides are available in English, French, Japanese and Spanish.
- Luxury transport from Paris
- Lunch
- Guided tour of the palace and garden
- Entrance fees
- Headset
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Gratutities (optional)
Specification: Versailles Guided Tour (classic, half-day and full-day) 2024
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Photos: Versailles Guided Tour (classic, half-day and full-day) 2024
Anonymous –
This was by far the worst of our tours that we booked in Paris. Our driver/guide was prompt in picking us up and provided good commentary on the many rooms of Versailles and the grounds. The issues were that we did not in fact receive the skip the line option that was promised. We had the same skip the line option for the Louvre, and Eiffel Tower, and they were wonderful. At Versailles we waited in a long line in the bitter cold before we could enter. Once inside the building we were so crowded we could hardly move. The thick crowd, bent on taking pictures of everything, just kind of pushed you out of the way to get what they wanted. It was very frustrating. This is of course was no fault of the guide. He did his best to provide information on what we were viewing, but it was hard to concentrate while being jostled by the crowd who was so interested in taking photos of everything that I do not believe they were really even seeing or appreciating what was in front of them. Very sad. Our guide said that there was a huge influx of tourist due to it being Chinese New Year, and local school holiday. Overall I was disappointed with what I thought would be one of the highlights of our trip.
Anonymous –
Host was very knowledgeable and happy to answer all our questions. It was wonderful to explore and not have the hassle of a crowded bus.