Palace of Versailles: tickets, opening hours and main halls
The Palace of Versailles near Paris served as the center of the French monarchy for almost three centuries. Today people come here for the Hall of Mirrors, the King's Apartments, and the gardens by André Le Nôtre. We have put together everything in one text: how the ensemble is organized, what to see first, and how to plan your visit without unnecessary queues.
Opening hours were checked on 09/14/2026 on the official Versailles website, with details in the opening hours section. Ticket prices change by season, so confirm your time slot and cost in advance. Below you will find opening hours, ticket options, and how to get there from Paris.
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What to see at Versailles
💡 In short:
- The palace and the Hall of Mirrors take up the main part of the visit.
- The Grand and Petit Trianon open later than the palace (opening schedule).
- The most convenient way from Paris is the RER C train.
- Tickets and opening hours were checked in 09/2026, source: opening hours and admission.
Versailles includes not only the main building, but also the two Trianons, the Queen's Hamlet, and a large park. You should plan your visit starting from the main palace: that is where the Hall of Mirrors and the state apartments are located. You see the gardens in the second half of the day, and the Trianon last, because it opens later than the other sites.
If you have only one day, first go through the palace following the route from entrance A, then go out into the gardens and walk to the Grand Canal. That way you will see the main sights and not waste time on unnecessary walking.
History of construction
© ToucanWings · CC BY-SAPhoto: ToucanWings, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia CommonsThe history of Versailles begins with the hunting lodge of Louis XIII. His son, Louis XIV, turned the modest building into a residence and in 1682 moved the court and government here (according to history of Versailles). From that moment Versailles became the political center of France, not just a country chateau.
Since 1979 the palace has been on the UNESCO World Heritage list and is considered one of the greatest achievements of 17th-century French art (according to UNESCO status). The kings continued to expand and decorate the ensemble right up until the French Revolution.
In 1789, the revolution forced Louis XVI to leave Versailles and move to Paris. The palace was no longer a royal residence. In the 19th century it was given a new role: in 1837, by order of King Louis-Philippe, the Museum of the History of France opened here. The old village of Versailles had been demolished earlier, in 1673, to build a new town around the palace (according to royal residence).
The artist Charles Le Brun and the architects André Le Nôtre and Louis Le Vau took part in the construction. Their work turned a hunting lodge into the model palace and park ensemble of Europe.
The king's palace
© Jorge Láscar from Melbourne, Australia · CC BYPhoto: Jorge Láscar from Melbourne, Australia, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia CommonsToday the palace has about 2,300 rooms with a total area of 63,154 square meters (according to palace rooms and floor area). The scale is immediately apparent: you walk through enfilades of state rooms and lose count of the doors. Every room is finished with marble, gilding, and wood carving.
Under the king, thousands of courtiers and servants lived here. The old palace had almost no heating or conveniences, and nobody dared leave Versailles without losing rank and privileges. Court life followed strict etiquette, and every detail of the routine demonstrated the king's power.
The walls of the state rooms are decorated with frescoes, velvet, paintings, and silk carpets. Gilded bronze, sculptures, and tinted glass fill every corner of the rooms. The palace became a model for the country residences of other European monarchs.
Rooms and the Hall of Mirrors
© Myrabella · CC BY-SAPhoto: Myrabella, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia CommonsThe state rooms are easiest to tour along a route starting from entrance A. The route begins in the Royal Chapel, a white and gold Baroque hall. Court services were held here, and the chapel itself connects the palace with the Grand Apartments.
The main highlight of any visit remains the Hall of Mirrors. Its ceiling was painted by Charles Le Brun, and along the walls stand mirror arches facing tall windows. It was in this gallery that the Treaty of Versailles was signed after the First World War.
In the southern part of the palace are the queen's apartments with her bedchamber. The most recent restoration returned the rooms to their late 18th-century appearance. Nearby you will see the War Salon with paintings of military victories.
On the second floor is the Hercules Salon, the first salon of the Grand Royal Apartments. The salon was decorated under Louis XV, and balls were held and ambassadors received here. The salon's ceiling features the enormous composition "The Apotheosis of Hercules," one of the largest ceiling paintings in the palace.
Gardens and park
© Chabe01 · CC BY-SAPhoto: Chabe01, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsThe park of Versailles was created by the landscape architect André Le Nôtre, and its layout became the standard of French classicism. The gardens and park are open daily, and on regular days admission is free (source: palace administration data). You pay only on days of the Musical Fountains and Musical Gardens.
You can walk the paths for hours: you reach the Grand Canal, circle the fountains, and return to the palace through the bosquets. Driving into the park has a separate rate: €12 per car through the Queen's Gate (as of 09/2026, park entry rates).
Grand trianon and petit trianon
At the edge of the gardens stand two separate palaces: the Grand Trianon and the Petit Trianon. They served as retreats for the royal family. The king's dinners were held inside the Grand Trianon, and the Petit Trianon became Marie Antoinette's personal home.
© DiscoA340 · CC BY-SAPhoto: DiscoA340, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsAt Marie Antoinette's request, the Queen's Hamlet was built next to the Petit Trianon, with houses under thatched roofs, a mill, and a lake. The Trianon opens later than the main building; the hours are listed in the opening times section (source: Trianon schedule). Keep this in mind if you want to see the entire ensemble in one day.
Opening hours and ticket prices
The palace and the Trianon are open daily except Monday. The main building opens at 9:00, the Trianon at 12:00 (checked on 14.09.2026, source: palace opening hours). The gardens and park are accessible every day, and garden admission is free except on days of the Musical Fountains and Musical Gardens.
The ticket price depends on the season and on what you want to see: just the palace or the entire estate. For a full visit, there is a Passport ticket that gives access to the palace, the Grand and Petit Trianon, and the Queen's Hamlet (Passport ticket). Check the current price for your date at the link: ticket page (as of 09/2026).
The audio guide is available in 12 languages, and it is best to book it in advance together with your ticket (according to audio guide and tickets). A ticket with a time slot saves you time at the ticket office, especially in summer and on weekends.
Tours and tickets in Versailles
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How to get there from Paris
The easiest way to get there from Paris is by RER line C to Versailles Château Rive Gauche station. The trip from the city center takes less than an hour, and from the station to the palace it is about a five-minute walk (according to transport information).
Versailles has three stations: Versailles Château Rive Gauche, Versailles Rive Droite, and Chantiers (according to Versailles stations). Check which station your train goes to so you do not walk an extra kilometer. Buy your RER ticket at the machine on the station before boarding.
⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions
What day is Versailles closed?
The Palace and the Trianon are closed on Mondays year-round (verified 09/14/2026 on the visit calendar). The park and gardens are open daily; entry conditions are described in the opening hours section. If Monday is your only free day, reschedule your visit: you will not be allowed into the halls or ticket offices.
How much time do you need for Versailles?
Allow several hours for the palace and the Hall of Mirrors, and just as much for the gardens and park. The Grand and Petit Trianon require separate time and open later than the palace. If you want to see the entire estate in one day, arrive at opening time and get a Passport ticket (full estate ticket).
How much does a palace ticket cost?
The price depends on the season and ticket type: palace only or the entire estate with the Trianon. Check the exact price for your date at the official ticket office or on Tiqets. Garden entry conditions are described in the opening hours section (as of 09/2026, garden entry).
How to get to Versailles from Paris?
The easiest way is the RER C train; the route is described in the section on getting there from Paris. Versailles has three stations, so check the final stop of your train (as of 09/2026, how to get to Versailles).
Do you need to buy tickets in advance?
Yes, an online ticket with a time slot saves you time in the ticket office line. On Musical Fountains days there are more visitors, so it is better to book a slot in advance. A ticket with a fixed time gives you entry without waiting at the ticket office (as of 09/2026, online tickets).
In short: what to book
If you are visiting the palace for the first time, get a Passport ticket: it covers the main building, both Trianons, and the Queen's Hamlet. A morning slot gives you less crowded halls and a short line. Getting there from Paris and garden entry conditions are described in the sections above.
A small editorial team writing guides for independent travel. We travel ourselves, but we haven’t been everywhere, so we check prices, opening hours and how to get there against official sources.