From Versailles: Skip the Line Royal Palace of Versailles and Gardens Tour
Breeze past the crowds and uncover the secrets of Versailles Palace with an engaging local guide
Already staying in Versailles but need to know the best way to see the Palace without waiting in line? This small-group tour begins in Versailles itself, so no need to pay for train tickets you won’t use. Plus you’ll be able to skip the line and get straight into exploring the Palace of Versailles without the long wait! Along with your expert local guide, you’ll learn all about this historic royal residence, and then you’ll be able to explore the magnificent Versailles Gardens independently.
- Skip-the-line tickets
- Meet your guide
- Skip-the-line tickets
- Pose for the Instagram grid
- Guided Palace of Versailles tour
- The Grand Apartments
- Hall of Mirrors
- Gardens of Versailles
- Free time to explore the gardens
- Hidden groves
You’ll meet your guide in Place d’Armes, just a short walk from the Palace of Versailles. The line to get inside the palace can take hours, especially during busy months, but you’ll be able stroll past like a VIP with your skip-the-line ticket. Once inside, your guide will bring this incredible palace to life with stories of the kings and queens who once ruled over France, their opulent lifestyles, and occasionally grisly ends...we’re looking at you, Marie Antoinette!
After the guided part of your tour, you’ll be able to explore the huge, beautifully manicured Gardens of Versailles at your own pace, stopping in quiet hidden groves and admiring the grand fountains dotted through the carefully planned landscape.
Palace of Versailles Skip-the-Line Tour Description
Your 2-hour tour includes:
Skip-the-line tickets to the Palace of Versailles
Expert guided tour of the Palace
Introduction to the Gardens of Versailles
Free time to explore the gardens and Trianon Estate
Starting point in Versailles
Engaging local tour guide
Maximum group size of 15
Experience the Grandeur of Versailles
After you've skipped the line to enter the palace, your expert guide will begin to show you all of the most fascinating parts of this historic royal residence. A stunning work to behold from the inside and out, the Versailles Palace encompasses over 2,000 rooms, with about as many windows looking out at the immense gardens. The opulent interior holds countless works of art and precious artifacts, so it's easy to see why over seven million people visit the palace each year.
Formerly the hunting château of King Louis XIII, the stunning Versailles Palace and Gardens were built in the 17th century, and UNESCO have declared this place a World Heritage site. The elaborately decorated and expansive palace became the seat of French power during the reign of King Louis XIV. You'll hear stories of the lavish lifestyles and scandals that became a hallmark of the kings and queens who once called this place home.
The Hall of Mirrors and Grand Apartments
Perhaps the most celebrated room you'll visit in the palace is the Hall of Mirrors. Named for the 357 mirrors that line the hall, it was designed with more than just beauty in mind. The intensive reflections required only a few candles be lit to illuminate the entire corridor. It was also the place where the signatories of the Treaty of Versailles made their final and consequential decision, thus ending World War I.
The immensity of the palace can be pretty daunting, but with an expert guide you'll receive an in-depth walk-through of its many treasures and important rooms. These include the stunning apartments of Louis XV's daughters, and the King's State Apartments.
Palace of Versailles Gardens
Just because your palace tour is over doesn't mean you've seen everything. Take a stroll through the painstakingly maintained gardens spread across the immense Versailles estate. They're simply some of the finest gardens in the world, built to such a scale that the King enlisted an entire legion of troops to bring in the trees and statues.
The grand fountains are a huge draw, featuring fantastic water shows in the summer on certain days. You'll receive an introduction to the gardens from your guide, and then it's time to explore on your own!
Your ticket also includes access to see the Trianon Estate, so feel free to wander down to these magnificent buildings that are basically palaces themselves.
What you get with this tour
See what people are saying
17 total reviews
Leave a reviewExcellent Guide & Tour
Steve Verhoff
The tour hit all of the rooms and areas of the palace we wanted to see. Our guide is extremely friendly and knowledgeable. Moving through the lines for entry was smooth and quick. This was the best way to experience the Palace of Versailles and Garden!
Versailles
Cindy Cravens
Tour guide was EXCELLENT and INTERESTING! I have been on 7 tours during the last 3 weeks and this was absolutely our group of 4 favorite.
Great tour!
Lisa Seidman
We really enjoyed our tour of Versailles. Our tour guide shared interesting information and gave us all the highlights.
Frequently Asked Questions
What to bring?
We recommend bringing a bottle of water, and we always highly recommend wearing a pair of comfortable shoes as this is primarily a walking tour.
Is lunch included with this tour?
Lunch isn’t included, but food can be purchased at Versailles Palace or in town. Your guide will be happy to offer some recommendations.
What if I have concerns about my mobility on this tour?
Although it's not an especially demanding tour, you will be walking with your group for the vast majority of the 2 hours, and there will be some stairs involved. If you have any doubts about your mobility, we suggest taking a Private Golden Versailles Palace and Garden Tour so we can better accommodate your needs.
Are train tickets included in the price of this Versailles tour?
Transport isn't included on this tour since it begins in Versailles. Simply meet your guide at the designated meeting point. If you're in Paris, we offer a popular day tour Skip the Line Palace of Versailles from Paris with transportation included.
Is a guided tour of the gardens included?
Your guide will provide a 30-minute overview of the gardens after your guided palace tour. After the overview, you're welcome to explore the gardens
What to bring?
We recommend bringing a bottle of water, and we always highly recommend wearing a pair of comfortable shoes as this is primarily a walking tour.
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