Versailles in March-what to see
Mar 21st, 2011, 08:13 AM
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Versailles in March-what to see
I want to do a day trip to Versailles when I'm in Paris with my family next week (still March so no fountains). I have a 16 year old daughter and 12 year old twin boys. What would be the most interesting to see- and in what order? It seems like it will be so big and overwhelming- I want to have a game plan before we go. Is it expected to be crowded on a weekday in March? Is it possible to rent bicycles there? i heard something about this but not sure. Do we have to buy our tickets in advance this time of year? Thanks!
Mar 21st, 2011, 08:33 AM
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We love renting bikes at Versailles. Bike rental is along the Grand Canal on the right side as you walk. You can ride to the Domaine de Marie-Antoinette, but then must park your bikes at the gate while visiting this area. Highly recommended! Continue riding to the end of the Grand Canal and back up the other side.
Mar 21st, 2011, 09:28 AM
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Just returned from Paris/Versailles 10 days previous. We went on a Thursday and the palace was very busy. The gardens and Grand Trianon, as well as Marie's Hameau were not crowded at all. We saw bicycles, but not the rental area, we bought tickets to the mini-train and used it for transportation all around.
Mar 21st, 2011, 02:37 PM
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Take a tour of the palace, go to both the Petit and Grand Trianon and explore the gardens. Don't miss the Hameau de la Reine. I've been there three times and it is always a full day trip, but I don't like to hurry. You can also explore the town of Versailles as well, which is quite interesting. Wear comfortable shoes!
Mar 22nd, 2011, 08:10 AM
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There's good practical information about visiting Versailles on Rick Steves's site:
http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/desti...versailles.htm
In addition to the great information you have been given here already, I would just add that my 11-year-old granddaughter really enjoyed visiting the royal stables (Grande Ecurie) across the street from the palace. Some mornings you can see the riders in training for their equestrian performances. There's more info on the RS site.
http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/desti...versailles.htm
In addition to the great information you have been given here already, I would just add that my 11-year-old granddaughter really enjoyed visiting the royal stables (Grande Ecurie) across the street from the palace. Some mornings you can see the riders in training for their equestrian performances. There's more info on the RS site.
Mar 22nd, 2011, 09:16 AM
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If you bought a Paris Museum Pass (the one on the official Paris Tourism website) entrance into the Palace, Gardens and all smaller houses is free. You just have to flash your pass to them as you go through each area. I rented bikes during my trip in November which I highly recommend. Once you go through the Petite Trianon into the side garden, make your way to the back. There is an entire village there of cottages and small vegetable gardens etc. Also down the road past the Petite Trianon is a huge field of sheep that I believe are decendents of the originals (not a must see but only a minute or so bike ride from the Petite Trainon and on the way back to the Palace). Just riding your bikes through all of the different paths in the main garden area you will find all kinds of neat statues and fountains. The Marie Antoinette movie is very good and shows a lot of the grounds. There are a few implied sex scenes though just as a heads up.
