Discover Versailles’ grandeur and Marie Antoinette’s private estate. Walk the Hall of Mirrors, explore lavish gardens, and uncover hidden gems.
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Palace of Versailles - Meet your guide in central Paris and enjoy a short, escorted train ride to Versailles. On arrival, let them take you on a journey in the footsteps of the Kings and Queens of France. During the reign of Louis XIV - the Sun King - Versailles was the place to be and to be seen. Nowadays visitors from all over the world still come to Versailles to marvel at the splendours of this incredible palace. Our skip the line access allows you to bypass the long lines that form each day, and our friendly local guides will steer you expertly through the crowds, bringing the famous figures who once inhabited this palace back to life.
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The Hall of Mirrors - Marvel at the glittering Hall of Mirrors, and hear the stories of the Kings, Queens and courtiers who played out their lives in this sumptuous setting.
You’ll learn how the Kings and Queens lived out their lavish lives in public, how they kept the gossiping courtiers under their thumb, and stole Italy’s thunder by making Versailles the artistic center of Europe. Discover a typical day in the life of Marie Antoinette; you’ll quickly understand why she hated the palace so much! Her opulent lifestyle here would ultimately lead to her tragic demise under the French Revolution; she left Versailles in 1789 never to return.
- Jardins du Chateau de Versailles - After visiting the royal apartments inside the palace, your guide will lead you through the spectacular gardens, once the setting of balls, parties and elaborate firework displays. On fountain show days you will discover the amazing waterworks, still running today as they did in the times of Kings and Queens. Otherwise, enjoy the beautiful Musical Gardens as you explore with your guide.
- Le Petit Trianon - We then invite you join us and discover the secret parts of this incredible place. After a break for lunch, spend an afternoon exploring the beautiful hidden treasures tucked away in the expansive gardens. Away from the crowds, see places that only Queens, Kings and their closest friends were allowed access to.
King Louis XVI gave a key encrusted with diamonds to his beloved wife Marie Antoinette. It opened the doors to a secret world, far removed from the public life at the palace and accessible to only a few. Follow in her footsteps, through the beautiful English style gardens, into the elegant and charming rooms of her home, furnished today as they were then. You will also peek into her tiny theater, built specially for her so she could perform on stage, to small audiences made up of friends and servants! This stunning theater is often called the hidden jewel of Versailles.
- Le Hameau de la Reine - At Trianon Marie Antoinette lived a simple, country life. You will discover her Hamlet, a perfect replica of a Normandy village, complete with thatched cottages and vegetable gardens where, far from the elaborate rituals of the palace, she would play at being a shepherdess surrounded by farm animals.
No visit to Versailles is complete without seeing the beauty of the Petit Trianon and Marie-Antoinette’s peaceful hamlet.
For the comfort of your visit we will take the ‘Petit Train’ to and from the Petit Trianon.
- Full day guided tour of the Palace & Gardens of Versailles and the Domain of Marie-Antoinette including the Petit Trianon and hamlet
- Expert, fully accredited local guides
- Round-trip RER transfer from central Paris
- Ride on the Petit Train back to the palace from the Petit Trianon
- Musical gardens or Fountain show: weekends & selected days April through October
- Hotel pick up/drop off
- Gratuities
- Lunch
Join us for an entire day tour of the magnificent Versailles Castle, the most eminent and renowned royal residence in Europe. Walk through the dazzling Hall of Mirrors just like monarchs, royals, and court members did in the past. Discover the luxurious state rooms and wonderful gardens, absorbing the grandeur of the Sun King that radiated worldwide. Explore the exquisite gardens, where extravagant dances and parties were held. Then, delve deeper into Versailles as few have, extending your excursion to explore the personal realm of Marie Antoinette. During the guided afternoon walk, you’ll uncover the beautiful Petit Trianon, her personal villa nestled in charming gardens. Witness the Versailles gem, the small theatre designed especially for her, and conclude your journey at her picturesque village in Normandy, which includes a vineyard, farm, and vegetable gardens. A visit to the secluded estate of Marie Antoinette is crucial for fully comprehending the history of Versailles.
- This tour requires a significant amount of walking. Comfortable shoes are recommended
- There will be a break in the gardens at the end of the morning tour for lunch, where there is a choice of restaurants or sandwich bars.
- Please note lunch is at your own expense
- You can cancel your tour up to 24 hours prior to departure and receive a full refund. Please note that refunds are not possible for missed tours.
- If you plan to arrive at the meeting point by taxi, please ensure you leave yourselves plenty of time, it can often take a considerable amount of time to find a taxi in Paris!
- Please arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before your tour departure time. We have to catch a train to Versailles and we cannot wait for late arrivals.
- Please note this tour requires a lot of walking. The tour is paced to be comfortable but you will need to be able to walk throughout the whole day.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
