Tour Details
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Product Type
- Tour
- Venues
-
- Versailles Gardens
- The Queen's Hamlet
- Grand Trianon
- Petit Trianon
- Versailles Palace and Gardens
Photos & Highlights
- Revel in an personalized experience of this iconic venue, ensuring every question is answered and every corner of the estate is unveilled.
- This extended version of our flagship tour lets you dive deeper and leisurely immerse yourself in the intricacies of Versailles, hosted by a local expert.
Select a date
Tour Description
Your Versailles journey begins with a convenient pickup from your Paris accommodations by our expert guide and a dedicated driver. En route to Versailles, gain insightful knowledge about the estate's rich history. Upon arrival, marvel at the palace's grandeur, explore the meticulously designed royal gardens, experience the elegance of the Trianon estate, and delve into the charm of Queen Marie-Antoinette’s Hamlet.
Your tour typically begins with the palace, showcasing the luxurious chambers of the King and Queen, the Royal Chapel, the Royal Opera, and the famed Hall of Mirrors. Following this, you'll move on to the royal gardens, renowned as one of the world's most impressive open-air museums. These gardens, crafted with precision and creativity, highlight André le Nôtre's unparalleled landscape artistry and skill.
Following a pause for lunch, your Context expert leads you to the intimate Grand and Petit Trianons. You’ll revel in the serene beauty of the Grand Trianon's pink marble façade and harmonious gardens. Then, witness the Petit Trianon's treasures, gifted to Marie Antoinette by Louis XVI, including the poetic Monument of Love and the picturesque Hamlet.
This tour not only reveals the architectural and artistic grandeur of Versailles but also brings to life the stories and figures that shaped its history, ensuring a memorable experience that will resonate long after your visit.
Important Notes:
- To ensure your Driver and Context Guide can meet you at your accommodations on the morning of your tour, please provide your address when booking.
- Our team will pre-purchase timed admission tickets on behalf of your party. However, due to enhanced COVID-19 safety precautions at this venue, there will be a mandatory security line which we must wait in together.
Experts
- You crave an in-depth experience – connecting historical context, remarkable gardens, and the allure of royalty.
- You want the benefit of expert insights, unveiling the secrets and stories behind each ballroom and garden at Versailles.
- Versailles Palace - Did you know? The Palace's Hall of Mirrors was once lit by a staggering 20,000 candles, creating a luminous spectacle in the evening.
- Versailles Gardens - These gardens required more soil to be moved for their creation than during the building of the Panama Canal!
- The Queen's Hamlet - Intriguingly, this village-style retreat was Marie Antoinette's haven, where she played at being a shepherdess away from court life.
- Grand Trianon - Built as a retreat for Louis XIV to escape the rigidity of court life, often with his mistress Madame de Montespan.
- Petit Trianon - This charming chateau was so private that even the King needed Marie Antoinette's invitation to enter.
Tickets
- Includes timed, skip-the-line access tickets to the Versaillles Palace and Gardens
- Note: Our tickets will get us to a special lane where our group will have to stand in line due to security and crowd control measures.
Headsets
- To ensure a quality experience for all visitors and to maintain the serene ambiance of Versailles Palace, all tour groups are required to use headsets. This allows guests to clearly hear their guide without disturbing the surroundings or other guests.
- Please be prepared to wear provided headsets during your guided tour.
Transportation information
- Your tour will begin with a car ride from your accommodation in Paris out to Versailles. Traffic conditions will vary greatly, but it is generally between a 60-90 minute journey.
- Your tour concludes in Versailles.
- You're a short 5-minute walk from the Versailles Rive Gauche Chateau station, where you can purchase tickets to catch the RER C metro back to Paris.
- Alternatively, we offer a convenient return transfer service directly to your Paris hotel. This must be indicated at time of booking.
- While adding the tour to your shopping cart, please tell us your hotel or apartment address in the 'Additional Details' box.
Lunch
- There will be time allotted to take a break for lunch, this is not included in the tour price and will be at your own expense.
Resources
- For more information on planning your time in Paris, take a read through our Context Stories.
- If you are looking to learn more about Paris prior to a visit, check out our online lectures and audio guides.
For more information about Context tours, please visit our FAQ page.
Interested in a shorter version of this itinerary? Check out our Half-Day Tour of Versailles Palace and Gardens.
Interested in a shorter version of this itinerary? Check out our Half-Day Tour of Versailles Palace and Gardens.
Interested in a Tour focused more closely on French Monarchy? Take a look at our Paris History Tour: The French Revolution.
Our tours proceed as scheduled, come rain or shine. We suggest dressing in comfortable walking shoes and layered clothing.
Are there restrooms or coffee breaks available during the tour?
Absolutely! If you need to pause for a moment, just let your guide know.
Can I bring my camera and backpack? Are there limitations?
You're welcome to bring cameras to capture your experience. However, please be aware of any specific restrictions on backpack sizes or items within the palace and gardens.
Can I meet my expert directly in Versailles?
Yes, we can arrange this. Please reach out to our client experience team or leave a note at the time of booking.
Can I meet my expert directly in Versailles?
Yes, we can arrange this. Please reach out to our client experience team or leave a note at the time of booking.
Is this tour wheelchair accessible?
While the palace gardens are not easily accessible for guests with reduced mobility, we do have the ability to alter the tour route in order to better accommodate mobility concerns. Please let us know about any accessibility concerns at the time of booking so that we can best advise.
You can also find additional resources about Accessibility at Versailles here.
Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.
Where You'll Start
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53 Reviews
Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.
Stéphanie did an amazing job! She was very knowledgeable about Versailles and it's rich French history. She made the trip very enjoyable and we definitely got more out of it by having her show us around! Highly recommend!
Ryanmichaelle
Oct. 9, 2024
If you prefer an energetic, passionate guide who is well versed in the tour or subject you selected, Thibaud would be the perfect person. He is well read, provides a perspective that you likely didn't think of or he has hidden gems of knowledge that you will take with you forever. Enjoy!
Richard
Sep. 21, 2024
My husband and I had the full day private tour conducted by Isabelle. The service was exceptional from start to finish. Isabelle and her very professional driver picked us up at our apartment, so on the drive out to Versailles we had the extra benefit of Isabelle explaining many things to us about Paris. Once at Versailles, Isabelle managed our time very well to ensure we toured the vast grounds and the interior of the palace in the most efficient and enjoyable way. Isabelle grew up in Versailles so her knowledge is extensive and she could share many interesting little known facts about the property. We were fortunate that the palace was not crowded on the day, so we could linger in many of the rooms and take wonderful pictures as we absorbed all the history. Isabelle even provided advice on the best way for us to return by train to Paris. We have taken other tours through Context and each one has been very professionally fun with excellent guides. Isabelle is no exception: she is very knowledgeable, friendly and polite, and we would highly recommend her as a wonderful guide to provide a first class experience visiting Versailles.
Edith
Jul. 8, 2024
