Versailles (Château de)

The best-known of France’s chateaux, the Château de Versailles, is also one of the most prestigious monuments of world heritage. Louis XIII’s former hunting lodge was transformed and... extended at his son’s request, to house the seat of the royal court and the French government.
Evocatively-named sites such as the Royal Apartments, the Hall of Mirrors and the Chapel are renowned for the magnificence of their decoration, which has been beautifully restored.
In the 18th century, yet more apartments were added, and the Petit Trianon and the Hameau de la Reine joined the Grand Trianon created in 1687 by Jules Hardouin-Mansart.
The French-style gardens are home to over 400 marble and bronze statues and splendid fountains. The park, designed by Le Nôtre, open on to the Grande Perspective, lined with statues, flowering borders and groves. A sight for sore eyes!
Don’t miss the magical Grandes Eaux Musicales, when the fountains are set in action to music: on until 30 September this year.

ED

Photo D.R.

Practical information

Versailles (Château de)

Etablissement public du musée et du domaine national de Versailles

78000

VERSAILLES

Metro :

RER :

Versailles Rive Gauche

SNCF :

Versailles Chantier/Rive Droite

Bus :

171 (arrêt :Versailles place d'armes)

telephone number :

01 30 83 78 00

mail :

direction.public@chateauversailles.fr

www.chateauversailles.fr

Access for persons with limited mobility

Tourisme & Handicap label

Versailles

More pictures

Current events :

The Petit Trianon has just been fully restored.

Château

EPA

Together with its gardens, the Château de Versailles is one of the most famous monuments of world heritage. The buildings trace the architectural style of the 17th and 18th centuries and comprise: the Royal Apartments, the Hall of Mirrors, the Chapel, the Royal Opera and the Museum of the History of France.
The Park is decorated with statues, flower beds and water and outstanding buildings : Grand Trianon and Petit Trianon, Temple de l'Amour and hamlet of Queen Marie-Antoinette.

Others informations

Architecturals styles :

Classical, Louis XIV style, Louis XV style, Louis XVI style, Neoclassical, Baroque

List of collections :

Sculpture, History, Painting, Decorative Arts, Furniture, Architecture, Interior decoration, Panelling, Tapestries, Art instruments, Rugs, Objets d'art, Organ, Reception halls

Collections period :

17th century, 18th century, 19th century

Garden :

Gardens designed by Le Nôtre.

Opening days and times

Open/Closed :

The chateau: Low season (November 2007 to March) 9am to 5:30pm (last admission: 5pm). High season April 2008 / 31 October 2008 9am to 6:30pm (last admission: 6pm). Marie-Antoinette’s Estate: 1 November 2007 / 31 March 2008. Grand Trianon: from 12pm to 5:30pm (last admission: 5pm). Jardins du Petit Trianon open for walks throughout the day (Petit Trianon closed for renovation works). 1 April 2008 / 31 October 2008 Grand Trianon: from 12pm to 6:30pm (last admission: 6pm). Access to the following visits (except during temporary closure) from 12pm to 7:30pm – access to the inside areas until 6pm. Petit Trianon (currently under restoration works – awaiting date for re-opening). Chapelle du Petit Trianon (chapel). Pavillon français (French Pavillion). Théâtre de la Reine (The Queen’s Theatre). Belvédère (Belvedere). Temple de l'Amour (The Temple of Love). Grotte (Grotto). Jardin anglais (English Garden). Laiterie de propreté (Refreshments Dairy). Hameau de la Reine (The Queen’s Hamlet). Ferme (Farm).

Cash desk closes at :

Last admission 5pm (winter) or 6pm (summer).

Days of week :

Open on those public holidays :

Horaire nocturne :

"Le Parcours du Roi" (6.30pm-9pm): the evenings of the Grandes Eaux Nocturnes.

Individual tours

Independant tour :

See the website www.chateauversailles.fr. Chateau: All year, the ticket for the chateau is €13.50 (Full price), €10 (Reduced rate), RR: €10. Garden: - in low season: free admission. - in high season: free admission, except on Grandes Eaux Musicales days. The Grandes Eaux Musicales days take place on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.

Guided tour :

Booking on site the same day. visites.conferences@chateauversailles.fr

Free :

Free to all people with a disability card and on the first Sunday of each month in low season (except exhibitions).

Free for children :

Chateau, Domaine de Marie-Antoinette, Grand Trianon, Petit Trianon : Free for - 18s (All year). Free admission to gardens except on Grandes Eaux Musicales days.

Group tours

Group tour :

See our website: www.chateauversailles.fr. For group visits: groupelibre@chateauversailles.fr

Services

Foreign language tour.

Foreign language information :

English, German, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Russian, Chinese

Educational activities :

Workshops, visits for children, walks and games in the park.

Combined ticket :

- Grand Café d'Orléans: closed Monday. Open according to chateau opening hours. Food on the premises and to take away. Tea room - La Flautille (Grand Canal) : open daily. Food on the premises and to take away. - La Petite Venise: Restaurant with Italian specialities and take aways. Organization of seminars. Open daily. The Brasserie de la Girandole and the buvette du Dauphin serve light snacks.

Audio guide :

In eight languages: French, English, German, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Russian, Chinese

:

Card of the Société des Amis de Versailles on request

Photo allowed :

No flash photography.

Viewpoint :

View over the Trianon and the Grand Canal.
View of the Trianon, the Grand Canal. View of the Orangerie Garden from the flower beds.
Many perspectives

Restaurant :

- Grand Café d'Orléans : fermé le lundi. Ouverture selon les horaires du château. Restauration sur place et à emporter. Salon de thé. - La Flautille (Grand Canal) : Ouverture de 08h30 à 19h30, tous les jours. Restauration sur place et à emporter. Possibilité de nocturne sous réservation. - La Petite Venise : Restauration de spécialité italienne et vente à emporter. Organisation de séminaires. Ouvert tous les jours de 09h30 à 17h30. La Brasserie de la Girandole et la buvette du Dauphin vous offre un service de petite restauration.

Gifts shop.

Room hire :

Contact : Service des Manifestations - Tel : 01 30 83 78 00 - E-mail : nadine.pluvieux@chateauversailles.fr Prestige receptions : - Les salles des Croisades : 5 rooms with neogothic decor (from 180 to 400 p.) - La Galerie des Batailles ( from 600 p. to 900 p.) - La Galerie Basse, situated under the Hall of Mirrors (Cocktails up to 400 p.) - La Galerie du Grand Trianon ( from 200 p. to 400 p.) - L'Orangerie (May to October only) - From 1200 p. to 2500 p.

Other services :

Museum & Monuments pass		Child minding		Animals welcome
Bookshop

Miscellaneous :

Bookshop and sales points in the chateau. Shop and bookshop in the Park (near the Grand Canal)
Many services in the Park :
- little train (Chateau, Petit Trianon, Grand Trianon, Petite Venise): tel 01.39.54.22.00
- small boat on the Grand Canal (4 persons) : 01.39.66.97.66
- bike hire: tel 01.39.66.97.66
- electric vehicle hire and segways (some adapted for wheelchair-users): tel 01.39.66.97.66