Tips for Versailles

Hi

We are staying at the Hotel Le Chat Noir, near Blanche metro in late July, was just wondering the best way to get from there to Versailles so we are nice and early. Also any other tips for beating the crowds, is the inside worth the wait and price, or are the gardens sufficient? I%26#39;ve tried looking all this up on the %26#39;official%26#39; website, but in terms of actual usefulness, it is quite lacking I find.

Can%26#39;t wait to get back there again, this will be my second visit to Paris, first was just last year.

Thanks in advance.

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We took the RER from Paris to Versailles. It is just about 45 mins. Not sure where Blanche is.

Going inside is definitely worth it. The palace is beautiful . Dont miss it. Also check out the timings for the Musical Fountain show in the evenings at the gardens. There are 2 palaces inside - the main palace and the antoinette palace I think. So getting there early will give you some time to see both. The gardens are so pretty too.

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There are many posts with the website to ratp which provides a map and will outline a trip. You might search for that.

Just looking at the map it looks like you could go from Blanche direction Porte Daughine and get off at the next stop: Place de Clichy.

Get on line 13 direction Chatillon-Montrouge and get off at Invalides. Transfer to RER C - be sure to take a train that says VICK, as the line splits.

Be sure you have your ticket before you go - either the Museum Pass or purchase on-line for Versailles. The lines to buy tickets can be long.

Yes, the inside, especially the Hall of Mirrors, is definitely worth it. It is self-guiding, so you don%26#39;t have to spend lots of time. We also enjoyed the Grand Trianon in the park - you could actually imagine living there.

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Hi Matt,the highlight of our trip to Versaille was hiring the golf buggy %26amp; driving it around the paths to see the garden.You have to go like the clappers to be back on time but we laughed so much (%26amp; also argued about directions).I think I remember seeing a cafe down by the lake that I thought would have been nice to sit by,also boat hire.If you havn%26#39;t seen inside before I think its worth it.

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As already stated, buy your ticket in advance or go with museum pass. The lines for ticket purchase are a bit crazy. Go early to avoid the crowd of bus tours.

And once you are in the chateau, find the restroom. Those lines get crazy as well.

Bring a lunch (stop at a Monoprix or other grocery store before you leave Paris) and leave it at the bag desk. Then retrieve bag after the chateau and explore for a place for a picnic.

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Don%26#39;t miss Marie Antoinette%26#39;s hamlet! It%26#39;s a far walk but worth it. They have farm animals there, a large pond with swans, and these beautiful little houses. (When I was there in September, you couldn%26#39;t go inside)

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If you have been inside Versailles before, I personally felt that the gardens and Trianon were enough for me and I didn%26#39;t need to do the inside main palace again. Also, if you have seen the royal apartments inside the Louvre, I think of Versailles as %26quot;100 times%26quot; what%26#39;s inside that section of the Louvre. It all depends on how much time you have in Paris and what else you%26#39;d like to see. We were going 13-14 hours straight each day and it was kind of exhausting but we only had 3 and a half days to see %26quot;everything%26quot;. I say that just to support that you can also rest and relax as much as you need and are able to and I feel like next trip I will do less official sites and slow down :). Whatever you choose, it will be great.

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Do go inside and do buy the audioguide. There is very little signage and without the audioguide, you won%26#39;t know what you%26#39;re looking at.

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Brilliant, thanks for all the advice, should be a good trip!

The golf buggies do sound like a laugh!