Versailles Palace Half-Day Tour with

Skip-The-Line & Gardens

1 to 20

4 hours

from 89.90€

Flexible cancellation policy

We understand that plans can change, which is why we are happy to offer a full refund with no questions asked, up to 24 hours before your tour departure time.

Within 24 hours we’ve already started preparing for your tour and can’t easily fill your slot, so we won’t be able to provide a refund after that point.



See the dazzling splendor of the greatest royal palace, the sparkling Hall of Mirrors, splendid gardens and dancing fountains: magnificence fit for kings!
Take a journey in the footsteps of the Kings and Queens of France, as you visit the most famous and prestigious royal palace in Europe. Walk through the glittering Hall of Mirrors, explore the lavish state apartments and spectacular gardens, and learn how the glory of the Sun King shone throughout the world. Our skip the line access allows you to bypass the long lines and an expert guide will bring the extravagant lives of the royal family and the French court at Versailles back to life.
Highlights
Description
What's included
Add-on
Reviews
FAQ
Book your tour departing from Paris

Shared

20 guests

Book you tour departing from Paris

Shared

20 guests

Book your tour departing from Versailles

Private

Benefit from a private guide, just for you and your family or friends
Tailor your visit to suit your own specific needs and wishes
Visit during 3h at your rythm
Explore at your own pace

579€

Price for 2 guests

Book Now

Shared

20 guests

Book you tour departing from Versailles

Private

Benefit from a private guide, just for you and your family or friends
Tailor your visit to suit your own specific needs and wishes
Visit during 3h at your rythm
Explore at your own pace

545€

Price for 2 guests

Book Now

Shared

20 guests

Share your experience with a small group of people from all over the world
Save time with our pre-reserved entrances
Enjoy exploring with the best hand-picked local guides

Price will vary depending on events taking place in the gardens on the day of your visit.

Book Now

Highlights

  • Enjoy a guided visit to the spectacular Palace of Versailles, home of the Sun King Louis XIV.
  • Stroll through the magnificent gardens with your guide.
  • Skip the famously long lines with reserved entry times.
  • Marvel at the incredible Fountain shows or Musical Gardens (if tour is selected on days when they run).
  • Benefit from escorted round trip transportation from central Paris to Versailles by RER train.

Tour Description

During the reign of Louis XIV – the Sun King – Versailles was the place to be and to be seen. Nowadays visitors from all over the world still flock to Versailles to marvel at the splendours of this incredible palace. Our skip the line access allows you to bypass the long lines that form each day, and our expert local guides will steer you expertly through the crowds, bringing the extravagant lives of the royal family and the French court who once inhabited this palace back to life, and making sure you don’t miss a thing.

Learn how the Kings and Queens lived out their lavish lives in public, how they kept the gossiping courtiers under their thumb, and stole Italy’s thunder by making Versailles the artistic center of Europe. Discover a typical day in the life of Marie Antoinette; you’ll quickly understand why she hated the palace so much! Her opulent lifestyle here would ultimately lead to her tragic demise under the French Revolution; she left Versailles in 1789 never to return.

After visiting the royal apartments inside the palace your guide will lead you through the spectacular gardens, once the setting of balls, parties and elaborate firework displays. Explore hidden groves and view magnificent perspectives stretching to the horizon – nature, water and earth were harnessed for the king, their beauty conveying the might of France. On fountain show days you will discover the amazing waterworks, still running to music today as they did in the times of Kings and Queens. Not simply an artistic triumph, but a spectacular feat of engineering genius, your guide will ensure you’re in the best spots at the perfect time (note that each fountain is switched on at different times).

At the end of your tour your guide will be happy to give you advice on further places to visit or where to enjoy a great meal in this beautiful royal city.

What’s included

  • Guided visit of the Palace & Gardens of Versailles
  • Skip the line entrance ticket to the Palace & Gardens of Versailles
  • Expert, English-speaking tour guide

Our specially selected recommendations to enhance your experience

If you’d like to add any extras onto your tour, you can do so during the booking process.

King’s Lunch at Ore, restaurant of Chef Ducasse

After your tour, take the opportunity to dine like a king at the restaurant Ore, set in spectacular 18th century salons at the Chateau of Versailles and run by renowned chef Alain Ducasse. Chef Ducasse is world famous for his inspired cooking, combining fresh, local ingredients to produce timeless and contemporary French dishes. Admire the beautiful views of the chateau while you feast on a delicous, seasonal 3 course lunch with wine. It’s the perfect way to end your tour!

65€

FAQ

How do we get to Versailles from Paris?
We will take the suburban RER train from central Paris. Your guide will accompany you to Versailles.
Is the meeting point in central Paris?
The meeting point is at Javel metro station, which is in central Paris and easily accessible.
How long does it take to get to Versailles from Paris?
It takes around 20 minutes from Javel, then it’s a short 5-10 minute walk to the Palace.
Can I meet the guide in Versailles?
You can meet your guide in Versailles, just make sure you book the tour that departs from Versailles. However if you’re planning on taking a taxi to Versailles, we recommend you meet us in Paris. We’ll escort you to Versailles and it will be much cheaper for you!
How much walking is there on this tour?
There is a reasonable amount of walking inside the Palace. Everyone has to follow the same route inside, and so you do need to complete this in order to be able to exit the palace. We also provide a guided tour of the gardens, again a reasonable amount of walking, although you can opt to stop and leave the tour at any time in the gardens if you need to.
Will we skip the entry lines?
We have a pre-reserved entry time that allows us to use a different entrance and skip the long ticket lines. If the staff are sending people through on time there should be minimal waiting time, if they are delayed for any reason we will need to wait a few minutes until it’s our turn, but this is usually minimal and our guides are there of course to get us in as fast as possible!
Will we get a tour of the gardens?
You will get a tour of the gardens as part of your visit. Your guide will show you hidden parts of the gardens and advise you if you want to stay and explore more afterwards.
Will I have to pay extra for the gardens?
The tickets to the gardens are included in your tour price, you do not have any extras to pay.
Will the fountain show be on in the gardens?
The fountain shows run from April through September on weekends and some Fridays. The musical gardens run on Tuesdays and some Fridays during the same months.
Can I take photos?
You can take photos inside and outside.
Can I bring a stroller?
Strollers are not allowed in the palace, but there is a cloakroom where you can leave it during your visit. You can then pick it up at the end of the palace visit if you want (note that you will need to leave the group to go back around and get it, and then catch up with them) or when your visit is over. There are a lot of cobblestones and the gardens are gravelled, so it is not very stroller friendly.
Can I join this tour if I am in a wheelchair?
The palace is wheelchair accessible, but it is very tricky. There are large cobblestones in the entry courtyards, and lots of steps in the garden, making it very difficult to access in a wheelchair. Please contact us if you want more information and advice.
Are there places to eat in the palace?
There are several restaurants and cafés both in the palace and the gardens, your guide can help you if you want to eat after your tour.
Can I stay in Versailles after the tour has finished?
You can stay in Versailles after your tour. In fact we recommend it! There is so much to see and do, your guide will be happy to advise you.
Will my guide accompany me back to Paris on the train?
Your guide will not accompany you back but they are there to ensure you have no problems! They will provide you with tickets, point you back to the station and give clear instructions to ensure you can get back easily. You will see it’s very simple! The train station is close to the palace, and all trains go to central Paris. They leave approximately every 15 minutes and it’s impossible for you to get on the wrong train! They stop at several stations in central Paris.