On the second day of our Paris adventure, we finally visited the iconic Versailles Palace, the highlight of our trip! Last year’s visit, we had to skip when we ran out of time. This time, we made sure to secure our reservations well in advance. With everything perfectly planned, our family was fully prepared for the day. Let’s take a look back at our wonderful experience exploring Versailles!
In this article, I’ll share the must-see spots in the palace and what it was like visiting with our family. And don’t miss the practical info at the end—ticket details, transportation costs, and some safety tips. Stick around until the end; you won’t want to miss it!
Haven’t read the first part of our Paris travel story yet? Click here to catch up!
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Starting the Day with a Hilton Hotel Breakfast
We meant to wake up early—it was the plan, I promise. But after a long first day and a bit of late-night fun, 7:00 AM felt like the absolute best we could manage. By 8:00, we finally made it down for breakfast, ready to take on the day… after coffee, of course.
Thanks to our Hilton Gold and Diamond membership, breakfast for all four of us was completely free—score! The spread was absolutely gorgeous, with an array of French breads and colorful jams that looked almost too good to eat (almost). And the croissants? Oh, those croissants. Buttery, flaky perfection. It was the kind of breakfast that reminds you how great French pastries are.
As for our youngest, let’s just say he wasn’t exactly a morning person. Dragging him out of bed was an adventure in itself. Skipping the restaurant entirely, we grabbed a croissant for him on the go. He eventually emerged from his morning fog, croissant in hand, as we headed out of the hotel to kick off our day at Versailles.
From Paris to the Palace of Versailles
Getting to Versailles from central Paris is pretty straightforward. It’s about an hour by train or 40 minutes by car (assuming traffic doesn’t decide to ruin your plans). For us, convenience was priority with our limited time in Paris, so we hopped into an Uber.
One of the perks of driving? Catching a quick peek at the Arc de Triomphe through the car window. During our last trip, we visited it on foot, but this time, we got to do the movie-style drive-around experience. Even that brief glimpse had us feeling all kinds of Parisian vibes.
Our departure was slightly later than planned (who’s surprised?), leaving the hotel at 10:10 AM for a 10:30 AM entrance reservation. As usual, we arrived fashionably late—around 11:00 AM—but managed to get in line just in time, breathing a collective sigh of relief.
Uber Cost (one way): €33 *The Uber prices I mention in my blog are all shown before tips are added. I hope this helps as a reference for getting around in Paris!
The Palace of Versailles
Our Uber dropped us right in front of the palace, and let me tell you, it was a jaw-dropping moment. The sheer grandeur of the palace is enough to make you stop and stare, but since we were running late, there wasn’t much time to soak it all in. Off to the entrance we hurried!
Turns out, we weren’t the only ones cutting it close. Plenty of other visitors were also casually strolling in after their scheduled time, so it seemed like the staff were pretty flexible.
First stop: security check. If you’ve booked an audio guide, this is where you’d collect it. However, we decided to go with the “winging it” approach and explore at our own pace. Sure, audio guides are great for understanding the history and significance of what you’re seeing, but with kids in tow, setting our own rhythm felt like the way to go.
Still, I have to admit, the idea of an audio guide is tempting. Maybe next time, when the kids are older and slightly more interested in French history, we’ll take the plunge and learn while we wander.
Do you need an Audio Guide?
Even learning a few basics—like who Louis XIV, XV, and XVI were, and the key players in the palace’s creation—can make a big difference. I found myself googling fun facts as we walked, which worked, but it definitely slowed us down.
Next time, I’ll come armed with more knowledge so we can fully appreciate the experience!
About the Palace of Versailles
The Palace of Versailles was commissioned by Louis XIV in 1661 and became a symbol of France’s absolute monarchy. It wasn’t just home to the royal family; it also housed nobles, servants, and craftsmen—around 4,000 people in total. Imagine an entire mini-city living and working within these walls! The scale of it is truly mind-boggling.
The Layout of Versailles
The palace complex is divided into three main areas:
We began our visit in the main palace. It was late November, a Tuesday, and yet it was already packed with tourists. The lines were long, and the interiors were crowded. Pro tip: layers are your best friend here. Outside, it was chilly, so I’d bundled up with a warm thermal top, only to find myself overheating inside. Learn from my mistake—dress in easy-to-remove layers!
The palace’s layout is straightforward, with a one-way route that ensures you don’t miss any major highlights. However, the sheer number of visitors made it tricky to get close to certain exhibits. The signage throughout is in both English and French, but with the crowd levels, getting a clear view often felt like a game of human Tetris.
Highlights of the Palace of Versailles
The Royal Chapel
The Royal Chapel is where Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette tied the knot—a truly historic venue.
The interior is a stunning harmony of white and gold, with an incredible pipe organ and breathtaking ceiling frescoes. While you can’t walk inside, you can admire it from the upper floor, peering into its grandeur. Of course, getting to the front of the viewing area means more waiting in line, and let me tell you, it was hot. Paris might be chilly in November, but packed rooms with tourists? Different story.
Also, influencers. Lots of influencers striking pose after pose while we stood there sweating. Needless to say, my kids weren’t having it. “Can we go to the next room now?” they asked. So, our time here was brief—but memorable!
The Hercules Room (Le Salon d’Hercule)
The moment you walk in, you’re greeted by an enormous painting titled “The Feast in the House of Simon. “ Then, you look up and—wow—a fresco called “The Apotheosis of Hercules.” Apparently, there are 142 figures painted on the ceiling. Even though this is just one of the first rooms, it’s easy to get lost in its splendor.
The Hall of Mirrors
With its long row of mirrors, sparkling chandeliers, and sheer opulence, it feels straight out of a movie. It was used for royal gatherings, including Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette’s masquerade balls. It’s also where the Treaty of Versailles was signed, ending World War I.
Capturing a good photo here is no small feat, though, with all the crowds. But honestly, just seeing it in person makes the effort worthwhile.
The King’s Bedchamber (La Chambre du Roi)
This is where Louis XIV performed his famous “getting up” ceremony, also known as the lever. After the French Revolution, much of the palace’s furniture was sold off, but what you see today are restored pieces. The ornate bed is a jaw-dropper, though I couldn’t help but wonder: Could anyone actually sleep comfortably here? —a little too grand for my taste!
The Queen’s Bedroom (La Chambre de Reine)
The intricate wall patterns and artwork left me awestruck, but the most shocking detail? This is where her morning routine and even her childbirth were public events! Imagining her giving birth surrounded by onlookers honestly broke my heart.
The Gift Shop
No trip to Versailles is complete without a visit to the gift shop. It’s full of Versailles-exclusive souvenirs like chic notebooks and tote bags.
Versailles Palace Ticket Information
Recommended Ticket: Passport (Palace + Trianon)
Other Ticket Options
Versailles Palace offers a variety of ticket options, with prices depending on the areas you want to explore. Be sure to double-check the details when booking your tickets. There are also special options, like tickets that include meals or passes that make it easy to get between the palace and the Trianon. For all the details, head to the official website! The Palace of the Versailles official website
Things to Keep in Mind at Versailles
While the vast palace and gardens offer endless sights to explore, they also attract large crowds—so be mindful of pickpockets. During our visit, announcements reminding visitors to watch their belongings played frequently. I carried a backpack and, thankfully, had no issues, but I plan to use a crossbody bag next time for extra security.
Having your wallet or ID stolen would be a nightmare, so take precautions and enjoy your visit worry-free!
I’m planning to use these on my next trip—they’re easy to attach to backpacks or bags and add an extra layer of security.
Final Thoughts
We were completely blown away by the sheer opulence of Versailles Palace! The Hall of Mirrors and the Queen’s Bedchamber? Absolutely jaw-dropping. I felt like I’d stepped into a period drama. My teenage boys, on the other hand? Not so much. Let’s just say Versailles didn’t quite make it onto their “top 10 coolest places ever” list.
Their biggest gripes? First, it was way too hot inside. Second, waiting in every room because influencers were busy perfecting their photos. Pose, click, change angle, repeat. I could practically feel the eye rolls coming from my kids. Honestly, I would’ve loved to explore the palace a bit more, but with the collective mood heading south, we decided to call it a day.
Coming Up Next…
After the palace adventure, we headed to the sprawling gardens and the peaceful Trianon area, which felt like a much-needed breath of fresh air. In the next post, I’ll tell you all about the gardens during the winter and the Petit Trianon—Marie Antoinette’s favorite escape. Plus, I’ll throw in some practical tips to make your visit smoother (and hopefully happier family). Don’t miss it!
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