Versailles

Versailles served as the de facto seat of government on multiple occasions throughout French history, and acted as a retreat during periods of revolutionary insurrection in Paris, notably during the years of the Paris Commune in which a leftist government was established in Paris itself, forcing the government of the French Third Republic to move to Versailles.

The Palace of Versailles, also known as the Château de Versailles, has been the scene for several historic events, not the least of which was the signing, on 28 June 1919 in the Hall of Mirrors, of the Peace Treaty between defeated Germany and the Allies that brought the First World War formally to an end. The signing of the treaty at Versailles, of course, mirrored the proclamation, in 1871 within the same long hall, of the establishment of the German Empire under the Prussian king, subsequently the Kaiser. The palace started out as a simple hunting lodge built by Louis XIII. However, after that Louis XIV decided he wanted to build the palace that we know today at that location. In 1789 the palace lost its seat in power, but today hosts the Museum of France's history.

The palace area consists of the main palace, a large garden, an extensive park, as well as a number of annex buildings which all are of historic and cultural interest. Seeing all of this in the pace it deserves, as well as the transport between different sites, take time. If you have only one day to spend at Versailles, make a plan and prioritize what you want to see, and take into account that there are large distances between some of the interesting locations and possibly also lines to wait in at the entrance. Versailles palace is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The easiest way to get to Versailles palace and avoid queues is to buy the ticket directly from the Château de Versailles website and to book a time entrance for the palace, either with a Palace Ticket or with a Passport Ticket: the former includes an audioguided tour of the Chapel and Opera House, the King's and Queen's State Apartments, the Dauphin's and the Mesdames' Apartments, the latter adds the Trianon palaces and estate, and the Jardins musicaux or Grandes eaux musicales when shown. The Coach Museum is free and the temporary exhibitions are included on the tickets.

However, you can get to the Palace easily by train and buy tickets for each attraction once there. This may be the best approach if you want to see something in particular or just want to explore the enormous gardens.

The main city is easily traversable on foot, however a good network of buses run throughout. Tickets t+ (the same tickets as for Paris buses and métro) are valid on Versailles city buses.

Once inside the palace it's possible to hire bikes and battery-powered golf carts (see section below).

• Consider taking an audioguide tour of the château, available in several languages from various reception points within the palace and grounds. The day pass price includes the audio tour.
• Within the grounds in the Summer there are a number of activities including a train ride, rowing boat and cycle hire. The mini-train is really the only time efficient way to get an overview of the entire grounds, which include his and hers residence palaces, which otherwise are at least a 30-minute walk each way from the main palace. The mini-train also stops along the 🌍 Grand Canal, where there is a cafe and a snack shop. For €30 it is also possible to hire a golf-style buggy for one hour in order to explore the expansive grounds.
• Consider taking a guided tour of Versailles that will allow you to bypass the regular entrance line and visit the palace and grounds with your own guide. There are several companies that are known for their Versailles Tours, departing from Paris: Aeon Tours of Paris, Oui Paris Tours, Classic Walks , and Gray Line. If you prefer to go by train (RER C) to Versailles, you will find just outside the railway station Versailles Rive Gauche a local company called Guidatours that offers either entrance tickets or guided tours of the Palace of Versailles at very attractive rates:
• Additionally, a short walk into town can provide a welcome contrast to the hectic, tourist-filled château. The town is like most others in France, with a couple of small, historic churches and lined with small shops. While eating on the grounds of the château can save time and walking, finding food at a small café, patisserie, or sandwich shop in the town is less expensive and an authentic experience. Eating a picnic along the lake at the château is a pleasant experience, and you can find a couple of small grocery stores in town to pick up things like bread, sandwich meat, cheese, wine, etc. to take back for a picnic at the château.
• Look into taking a private tour around the city. There are websites that provide information on tour companies that will provide tourists with personal tours and introduce them first hand to the beauty and culture Versailles has to offer.
• Look into taking a private scooter tour from Paris to Versailles for a guided tour of the castle and to ride inside the park (2 Wheel Tours).
• Shopping is one way to spend some of your time visiting Versailles. The Palace of Versailles contains its own giftshop as well as other souvenir shops outside the Palace. If you're looking for shopping other than souvenir scavenging there are several shops located around the city centre. Most of these shops are located along the Boulevard de La Reine, the Rue Chantiers, Rue Mar Foch, and the Rue Mar Joffre.
• If you are looking for a relaxing time, you can head down to the Cinema Cyrano. It offers patrons showings of films, motion pictures, events. This is a great place to go for everyone whether you are travelling alone, or with the family. It offers tickets at a good price including discounts for students, seniors, and happy hour.

Versailles (the town) has any number of good places to eat whilst visiting. Once you have made it into the palace grounds, however, it is far more convenient to eat there — the alternative is to hike back into the town, before returning to the Palace (time better spent viewing the rooms and grounds). The grounds are also perfect for picnicking in warm and/or dry weather.

A number of other options exist:

• In the Château, there is a Ore restaurant (managed by Alain Ducasse) on the 1st floor (access on the Royal Courtyard), an Angelina restaurant close to the Battles Gallery, on the 1st floor, and a cheaper Grand Café d'Orléans is on the ground floor not far from the Royal Courtyard.
• Within the formal gardens, there are 2 informal restaurants, La Flottille and La Petite Venise, on Petite Venise (from the Château, head back directly through the gardens to the start of the canal - Petite Venise and the restaurants can then be found to the right).
• Several kiosks serving snacks and fast food can be found in the gardens (Bosquet du Dauphin & Bosquet de la Girandole) and an Angelina Terrace near the Petit Trianon.

There are also restaurants outside of the palace that are also enjoyable such as:

• Monument Café, a new innovative restaurant where you'll find excellent all-you-can-eat buffets (brunch, cold dishes, hot French specialities, desserts) in an atmosphere that will show you a virtual visit of Versailles, with high tech tools. They also organize guided tours and wine tastings.
• A wonderfully quaint bistro called Le Resto du Roy. (Closed) Here one can find many delicacies commonly found in France. However, don't be afraid, the chef also makes more commonly recognizable dishes such as scallops or salmon.
• There are many bakeries (boulangerie) throughout the city. During lunch hours many bakeries in the town center operate a fast food service to allow customers the ability to get in and out during which people can get already prepared foods such as pizza and sandwiches. If you're looking for a quick and easy lunch, this is definitely a good spot.
• 🌍 Place du Marché Notre Dame. Place du Marché Notre Dame (the main market square): If you're looking for more of an authentic French experience, the Place du Marché is a wonderful option. It is an outdoor market that offers only the freshest foods one can find. Here you can find vegetables, pizzas, fish, meats, fruits, and cheese. The outdoor market operates on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday mornings and starts winding down around 13:00. Sunday is the busiest day here. There are also sit-down restaurants in the market. 
• The Broadway Café is also known as the American Café because it is decorated with stars and stripes. The Broadway Café offers a variety of foods many of which are more common to American tourists. It offers foods such as burgers, lasagna, pizza, and sandwiches. This is a great place to go if you're looking for an easy, relaxed atmosphere.

Versailles might not be the best town in which to party. However it is fairly easy to mix with the locals.

There is a little concentration of bars (and restaurants) on the Place du Marché (at the junction of the Rue de la Paroisse, and Rue du Maréchal Foch). This is where most young people go out at night. Tables outside the terraces are plentiful in the nice months. Exploring the walking alleys from the Place du Marché can also reveal less know restaurants.

Another popular bar with Versailles' youth is the O'Paris, on the Avenue de Saint-Cloud, very close to the Château's Place d'Armes (on the right-hand side when facing the Château). They often play sport events inside. Tables outside are also available when it is warm enough.

• Huttopia Versailles. A nice place to stay, in the forest and very close to the RER (train) station. This campsite has a swimming-pool. Many accommodations to rent (cottages, ridge tents.). Wi-Fi for a small fee. 
• Hotel Bleu France Eragny, Rue des Pinsons 95610 Eragny (Cergy Pontoise) (on N184 near Cergy Pontoise on the road to Versailles), ☏ +33 1 30378600. Check-in: 13:00, check-out: 11:00. Two star hotel. 42 comfortable rooms with restaurant. €55-71. 
• Hotel La Chaumière Logis de France, 1 bis, rue des Pléiades 78130 Les Mureaux (near Exit 8 of A13 on the road to Versailles), ☏ +33 1 34747250. Check-in: 13:00, check-out: 11:00. Two star hotel with restaurant. €61-65. 
• Hotel Les Jardins d'Epône, 220, av de la Mauldre 78680 Epône (near Exit 10 of A13 on the road to Versailles), ☏ +33 1 30956870. Check-in: 13:00, check-out: 11:00. Includes a beautiful hotel restaurant. €59-61. 
• Hotel Mercure Versailles Parly 2, rue de Marly-le-Roi, ☏ +33 1 39551141, fax: +39 041 5246777, info@hotelparly2.com. 
• The Ibis Chateau de Versailles Hotel is in the centre of town. It has 85 air conditioned rooms, three of which have been altered for disabled patrons. It includes a 24-hour bar, complimentary parking, and Wi-Fi.
• The Pullman Versailles Chateau is a luxury hotel which includes a pool, their restaurant, the LM Cafe which serves Mediterranean cuisine, 24-hour room service, free Internet access, a bar, and a 24-hour fitness center and sauna.
• The Residence Du Berry is the place to stay if you are looking for an old century feel with the amenities of a modern luxurious hotel. 5-minute walk from the Parc de Versailles.
• Chambres de la Marina Hôtel indépendant, 5 Rue Saint Fiacre 78130 Les Mureaux (near Exit 8 of A13 on the road of Versailles), contact@leschambresdelamarina.com. Privative parking, confort, high-end bedding, space, nice decoration, tidy, user-friendly. €130 for 2 nights min. (updated Oct 2021)

• 🌍 Societe Laveries Automatiques Versaillaises, 10 Rue Philippe de Dangeau. 12:00-03:00. Coin laundry. (updated Jul 2019)

• Giverny - Visit the house and gardens of the Impressionist painter Claude Monet.
• For all of the history buffs, jump on the train for a quick ride to 🌍 Place de la Concorde. This is the location where aristocrats were taken during the time of the French Revolution to be beheaded at the guillotine. Also, famous aristocrats, King Louis XVI and his wife Marie Antoinette, were beheaded here. Today it has been replaced by a fountain and an obelisk.
• Saint-Cloud, Rueil-Malmaison and Rambouillet are also major destinations for those interested in French royal history.