Paris, the city of love and light, is on every traveler’s to-do list. Neighboring the city is a French icon that resonates well with the glamorous, a la mode history of the French - the Palace of Versailles. Only 16km from the city of Paris, the Palace is a grandiose symbol of the French monarchy, power, and the history of France.

Today, what was once a royal residence stands as the Museum of the History of France and no trip to Paris is complete without a visit to this grand gateway to a glorified and bloody time in the nation’s history. The guided tour to Versailles must not be missed as it brings you ever closer to the lives of King Louis XIV and, successively, King Louis XVI and his Queen, Marie Antoinette.

Book Versailles Tickets

Why Take A Guided Tour to Versailles?

Versailles Guided Tour
  • Navigating foreign public transport can be an arduous task. To make your trip to Versailles effortless, go for a guided tour that includes transportation. Opt for escorted trains or private coaches from Paris to Versailles, avoiding confusion and language barriers.
  • With a guided tour ticket, you can easily bypass up to 90-minute long queues, maximizing your time to explore the palace's attractions without delay. Use the time you save to explore the palace in-depth and learn about its history and architecture.
  • Guided tours offer you a chance to uncover the captivating stories of the French Monarchy. Learn about the tales of banquets, court life, and the grandeur of Versailles' gardens with expert hosts.
  • Optimal for cost efficiency and time management, guided tours offer priority entry, tickets to the Musical Fountain Show, Paris-Versailles transportation, and expert guides. You can choose from audio or expert-led tours.

Highlights Covered on Your Versailles Guided Tour

Royal Apartments

The Versailles Royal Apartments were the living quarters of the French monarchy. Open to the public today, they reveal insights into royal life. The Queen's Apartments mirror the King's State Apartments, featuring the Queen's Guard Room in 17th-century splendor. The King's State Apartment hosted official ceremonies, while the Private Apartments, with the Golden Service Room and Louis XVI's Library, show personal and ceremonial facets of Versailles.

Hall of Mirrors

The Hall of Mirrors in France's Palace of Versailles epitomizes the nation's political and artistic prowess. Spanning 73 meters, it showcases 30 paintings by Charles Le Brun, narrating Louis XIV's early reign. Reflecting economic power, its 357 mirrors mark France's rise in mirror manufacturing. This grand hall witnessed historic events, including the Treaty of Versailles signing in 1919, and remains a prestigious venue for official receptions.

Gardens of Versailles

The Gardens of Versailles, spanning 800 hectares around the Palace in France, are a masterpiece by André Le Nôtre. These formal French gardens feature manicured lawns, sculptures, and the iconic Grand Canal. Maintained by skilled gardeners, they house over 400 statues, making it the largest open-air sculpture museum globally. A UNESCO site, it offers amenities like refreshments and bicycle rentals, drawing millions of annual visitors.

Trianon Estate

The Trianon Estate at Versailles includes the Grand Trianon, Petit Trianon, and Queen's Hamlet amidst enchanting gardens. The Grand Trianon features a central colonnaded gallery built in 1687 as Louis XIV's private retreat. The Petit Trianon, completed in 1768, offered privacy to Louis XV and Madame Du Barry. The Queen's Hamlet, a rustic model village built in 1783, reflects a fascination with rural life.

King's Private Apartments

The King's Private Apartments offer an intimate look into the lives of French royalty. Each space reflects monarchs' tastes and features Louis XV's Dogs' Room, Louis XVI's ornate Clothes Cabinet, and Madame Adélaïde's Golden Service Room. The Queen's Guard Room's preserved marble and the Queen's Bedchamber's historical receptions and births reveal Versailles' rich history on guided tours.

Royal Opera

The Royal Opera of Versailles, designed by Ange-Jacques Gabriel and opened in 1770 under Louis XV, stands among Europe's premier 18th-century opera houses. It served as a venue for diverse performances until the royal departure in 1789. Restored by Louis-Philippe and reopened in 1837, the opera now hosts operas, concerts, gala evenings, and ballets, offering a rich array of musical experiences.

Royal Chapel

The Royal Chapel of Versailles, completed in 1710 during Louis XIV's reign, is the palace's final chapel. Consecrated to Saint Louis, it hosted Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette's wedding and boasts a mix of traditional and modern architecture. Adorned with masterful paintings and sculptures, its Robert Clicquot organ and richly decorated interior continue to enchant visitors with concerts featuring sacred and secular music.

Guided Tours vs Non-Guided Tours of Versailles

Guided Tours

  • A guided tour to Versailles includes an experienced guide who will provide you with all you need to know about Versailles. These tours also have a fixed itinerary covering all the significant spots inside and surrounding the Palace, so you won't miss important. 
  • The tour guides are in different languages, including English, Spanish, and French. Audio guides come in 11 languages.
  • The skip-the-line feature on your guided tour ticket ensures that your host will escort you through the security process and sidestep the lengthy queues.
  • A guided tour usually only comprises a group of 25 people or less.
  • Some guided tours also include bus transfers from and to Paris.
Book Your Tickets Now

Non-Guided Tours

  • With a regular admission ticket, you can explore the historical Palace of Versailles at a leisurely pace.
  • The non-guided tours usually have a timed entrance to the Grand Apartments, so you can only check it out at your chosen time slot. 
  • You can discover the Trianon Estate and Gardens before or after visiting the Grand Apartments. It's recommended that you do so before going to the Grand Apartments.
  • Gardens close promptly by 5:30pm on Saturdays, so keep that in mind with your Versailles non-guided visit. 
  • A non-guided Versailles tour is inexpensive compared to other guided tour tickets, so this is your best option if you have a limited budget. 
Book Your Tickets Now

Frequently Asked Questions About Versailles Guided Tour

Yes, there are guided tours to Versailles that you can book.

More Reads

About

Gardens

King's State Apartments