Versailles - Much More than the Palace!

Old Mar 27th, 2017, 01:04 PM
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Versailles - Much More than the Palace!

Many folks made the trek out to Versailles -just about 15-20 miles east of central Paris - to visit the world's most famous palace (or one of them) and beeline back to Paris. Some take time to linger in the formal gardens or journey around the vast park - especially to the Petite Trianon - a small chateau the King built in the late 1760s and where Marie-Antoinette loved to spend time in this bucolic quiet area well away from the Palace: http://en.chateauversailles.fr/disco.../petit-trianon.

A part of the grounds few visitors see is the Potager du Roi - or 18th-century veggie gardens that produced food for the king and his court. The vast gardens are still there -serving horticultural research in part I think and can be visited most days. There is also a farmer's market of sorts with fresh veggies on sale.
https://translate.google.com/transla...r/&prev=search

Another popular thing to do at the palace is to take in various spectacles - like the splish-splashing fountain shows done to piped in music or shows in the garden arena:

http://www.chateauversailles-spectac...s/grandes-eaux

But there is much more to Versailles than just the Palace and grounds. Versailles away from the palace itself is a sweetupscale regional town well worth exploring.

In future postings I will talk about the town itself and its many things of interest and though I have not been to Versailles in several years I'll try to convince folks that it is well worth spending a whole day at Versailles - about 1/2 a day for palace and parks and the rest of the day exploring Versailles.

TO BE CONTINUED - and at any time all are welcome to jump in with what they found in Versailles outside the palace and grounds themselves (or in the palace and grounds as well!)

.
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Old Mar 27th, 2017, 01:38 PM
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http://www.francetravelplanner.com/g...lles_town.html
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Old Mar 27th, 2017, 01:44 PM
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Thanks for posting palenQ, I've been to Versailles twice. The first time we went straight to the palace and then the grounds and to be honest, the palace was a fairly miserable experience. It was the most crowded place I've ever visited to the point of feeling a little claustrophobic. Later on it occurred to me that a better time it visit the palace would be at about 3pm after the bus tours have gone for the day.

On both visits we spent several hours in the garden including Marie Antoinette's folly and really loved the grounds, including the Petit-Trianon etc. he second time we didn't bother with the palace at all and spent the entire day in the grounds.

I think the Ryder Cup is being played at or near Versailles in sept 2018. We are considering this as part of a trip and would, if possible, stay at or near Versailles rather than trekking from Paris each day.
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Old Mar 27th, 2017, 06:42 PM
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One thing that a lot of people outside France do not know is that the palace of Versailles is the location of Congress -- "congress" being a joint session of the Senate and National Assembly for important events such as modifying the constitution.
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Old Mar 27th, 2017, 09:05 PM
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Versailles is not easy of Paris
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Old Mar 28th, 2017, 01:35 AM
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Sheesh Christina. Knock yourself out. Fabulous helpful post
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Old Mar 28th, 2017, 06:40 AM
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A few years ago, I planned the trip for a small group of friends for a bit of France and Spain. I decided that rather go into Paris first, we would hire a shuttle and go directly to Versailles. It was one of the best travel decisions I ever made. We enjoyed the town a lot.

We arrived a little before noon and stayed in a lovely old hotel across from the Palace. We had a leisurely lunch outside and spent the afternoon wandering the grounds and gardens of the Palace. Some rented bikes. Some went boating. DH and I walked. It was the best way ever to get over jet lag.

We had dinner in the evening in the charming town center and were first in line to see Versailles the next morning. It was crowded, but not as much as it was an hour later. We had a walk about town, walked through the town market (baked goods, cheese, meats, etc. all beautifully displayed) had snacks and left for Paris in early afternoon.

Yes, it was a one night stay, usually not something I would do, especially the first night, but it was such a leisurely prelude to Paris, it was great!

Our next trip to Paris, also with friends, they were anxious to get into the city. It was not nearly as nice or as relaxing. It was OK because DH and I did not go to Versaille, but their experience of Versailles as a day trip was not nearly as wonderful as ours. I was sorry we did not do it the same way again.
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Old Mar 28th, 2017, 09:42 AM
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I'm planning on going back in the fall when I'm in Paris. It will be my third time there and last time we saw some of the grounds but there was a lot more and a restaurant that looked fun. We took a trolley and I think next time I'm going to spring for the golf cart so we can just buzz around.

We also walked a bit of the town. My problem was, I was an idiot (not the first time) and got sucked into thinking the day would be warmer than it was. I did not have my nice wool coat and I was absolutely freezing. My teeth were chattering so anyway, I was not enjoying it so we headed back to the train station. Next trip will be very different and I would like to spend some time in town.
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Old Mar 28th, 2017, 11:26 AM
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One thing that gives central Versailles some pizzaz is its famous Notre-Dame market, in an 1840s market hall and three days a week also an outdoor market.

Those that want to picnic in Versailles gardens can stock up here!

http://www.francetravelplanner.com/g...es/marche.html

https://www.google.com/search?q=vers...ih=864&dpr=1.1
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Old Mar 28th, 2017, 05:04 PM
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The market was fantastic!
We stayed at the Hotel de France. We really liked it, especially for location.
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Old Mar 28th, 2017, 07:47 PM
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Thanks for this wonderful post! We are planning to be in Paris in September and want to visit Versailles. We haven't been to Versailles in over 25 years and loved it the two times we went before. Looking forward to seeing this wonderful palace again and these helpful tips will ensure we have a fabulous time!
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Old Mar 29th, 2017, 05:53 AM
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Versailles is not easy of Paris>

but Christina Paris IS easy of Paris - easy to get to - about a half-hour RER right to near palace gates.

so you are wrong to say Versailles is not easy of (from) Paris!

There are four separate trains linking Versailles with Paris - very very easy to go east of Paris to Versailles. Right?
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Old Mar 29th, 2017, 06:42 AM
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You will never find Versailles if you go east of Paris. You have to go west.

I only know of 3 trains going to Versailles from Paris: the RER C to Versailles-RG Château, the commuter line from Saint Lazare to Versailles-RD, and the commuter line from Montparnasse to Versailles-Chantiers.
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Old Mar 29th, 2017, 07:50 AM
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OK now I get it - west of Paris! Always get east and west mixed up in Europe for some reason- weird. Now I know what Christina was about.

I should have said four ways to get to Versailles by public transit - the three train lines plus metro to Porte de Sevres then bus up to Versailles-part by metro train.
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Old Mar 29th, 2017, 12:49 PM
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If going by train and wanting to also visit the town take RER C to Versailles RG (River Gauche) near the palace gates - then bop over to town center and return to Paris perhaps via commuter train from Versailles RD (River Droit) station.

Chantiers is impractical for just about anyone -a mile or so from the palace, away from town -good though if wanting to do Chartres the same day as Versailles - very possible- same train line.
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Old Mar 29th, 2017, 02:12 PM
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PalenQ, thanks for the great info about Versailles markets. I am a big time market enthusiast and have never tumbled to this. Can't wait to check it out. I think I will try to go early and see it before getting into line for the Palace and grounds. I had a heck of a time locating it on a map but think I finally found it near the Notre Dame church and Rue du Marechal Foch. Hope I have that right. looks walkable from the Palace.
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Old Mar 29th, 2017, 03:11 PM
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looks walkable from the Palace.>

thanks -yes Versailles center is not huge - I think if going to the Petite Trianon area you could enter the park thru an entrance near it and go to the chateau and RER C back to Paris - if convenient take a train from Saint-Lazare to Versailles RD much closer to the town center I think.
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Old Mar 30th, 2017, 07:43 AM
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https://www.osmotheque.fr/en/

Versailles also has a fragrance museum!
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Old Mar 30th, 2017, 01:46 PM
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OTHER THINGS TO SEE -

ROYAL OPERA
JEU DE POMME

(The following is copied from News from France - put out by the French Embassy in the U.S. which spurred this article)

Versailles Palace is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the world, yet few visitors stop to take in the surrounding town, also called Versailles. The quaint city makes a worthwhile destination on its own, with many hotels, restaurants, a popular weekly market, and, of course, convenient access to the palace.

The palace, which was commissioned by The Sun King Louis XIV
during the peak of the Bourbon dynasty, housed the royal family and their entire court until the French Revolution, making it one of the most spectacular buildings in the world.

Besides the palace, there are plenty of historical sites to see in
Versailles, such as the Royal Opera (considered by some the most
beautiful in all of Europe), the Jeu de Paume (site of the famous Tennis Court Oath), the Courtyard of Fragrances (a museum detailing the transformation of French perfume into an art form), and the Potager du Roi (a garden that still uses 17th century agricultural techniques).

The town is also home to the Versailles Academy of Equestrian Arts, open to the public every weekend, which teaches equestrian choreography and dressage.

But perhaps the most impressive site is the town’s gourmet market.
Food markets are a staple of any French town, but Versailles has one of the grandest in its region. Open daily, the market sells fresh and local items such as wine, charcuterie, cheese, fish, pâté, fruits, vegetables and much more.

The enormous gardens of the Versailles Palace are also free and open to the public daily.
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Old Jun 2nd, 2017, 08:18 PM
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@sassafras (or others familiar with this): you mentioned taking a shuttle from CDG to Versailles. What is the best way to book this? There will be six of us in our group: 5 adults (1 senior with a walker) and a toddler so we'd prefer not to have to trot everyone and our luggage on trains. Thanks in advance!
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