We'll be in Paris on a Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in the middle of May. I'm trying to decide what day to go to Versailles. So far our only limitations are Thursday 7:30 PM ballet tix at Opera Garnier, and Friday 12:30 lunch at Altitude 95 in the Eiffel Tower.

We've been to Paris before, but have never visited Versailles, so this time it's on the "must do" list.

I know that crowds are worse on the weekends, but is it worth it to see the fountains? I see on the Versailles website that there are fountain shows at 11 AM and 3:30 PM, with the morning show lasting an hour, and the afternoon 1.5 hours. The shows are on both Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th.

The other thing to keep in mind is that we will have access to a car on Sunday, if that makes it easier, or could go by train if a car is a hassle.

So--how about some opinions?

The fountain shows are definitely worth it. When we were there in the past the shows were only on Sunday.

If you have never been there you should visit the chateau- the chateau and the fountains wouldn't be too much in one day. I don't know about taking in the Trianons and Hameau and the chateau.

There is no exertion to watching the fountains. When we were there there were two parts to the show.

You can take the RER to Versailles, it is not too far from the train station to the chateau, and the last time we were there there was a van service from the station to the side entrance to the chateau.

The trains run so frequently that you don't have to plan for them.

We will be there on the 10th.

i prefer the car although the parking is not the best on a sunday....go very early and be there when the place opens or before hand and walk around out back---i laugh to myself when i say out back because it is the size of most towns rather than a back yard....you can also drive around out there and go to petite trianon, etc. much more easily...the last time i got a parking space just beside the left side of the palace and could walk right up the steps to the back terrace overlooking the red gardens....very nice....the walking is immense so the car would help you....there is lots to see there so do your planning before hand because you will not probably be able to see everything in one day....i think there are about 7 possible tours if i remember correctly....the theatre tour is an interesting one....they must have a web site to check things out or use your guide book for details...

you might plan on bringing a picnic in the car as i do not remember any place to eat in the palace...it is allowed out back and you will not be alone....if it is a nice day...

enjoy....

The picnic idea is intriguing--are there any restaurants in the village that we shouldn't miss?

Sunday is a good day for the reasons previously mentioned. However, check the weather predictions when you arrive on Thursday to make sure rain is not in the forecast for Sunday. You don't want to go there in the rain. (I speak from experience!)

Hi Barb,

My wife and I consider the picnique lunch we had in the Versailles Gardens to be one of our best memories.

There will be a charcuterie near your hotel that can pack you a lunch and recommend a wine shop to go with it.

Be sure to pack a corkscrew and/or a Swiss Army knife.

you may also want to consider if you want to see the new show at the Equestrian Academy at Versailles. There have been a couple of articles in the New York Times about it, the academy just recently re-opened. They have open rehearsals every day, but they have a show of some sort on Saturdays and Sundays at 2:15: e-mail from the Academy described it as "Horse riders carrousel, and equestrian improvisation".

Just another thing to consider.

Personally I was disappointed in Versailles -- maybe too much hype -- but found the town itself rather charming. Then again, we weren't there on a day when the fountains were to be on...and I'm a sucker for fountains and gardens, so I might have liked that. We were there in April '02 and it was still a bit brisk for outdoor dining, but they seemed to have a number of restaurants that looked as if they might be nice on a warm May afternoon.
We made an easy day trip of it on the RER. It really isn't but about a 5 block walk from the train station.

Yes, there are several restaurants near where the van dropped us off.

We got there about noon had lunch then explored the gardens and were ready to sit down a watch the fontains and listen to the music. (It was little difficult to get back to the station because there was a roller bladers convention in Versailles)

We've pretty much decided to do the Sunday trip--now my question- is take the car or the train?

I've been several times, and I liked Sunday the best because of the fountains. They were worth the crowds. You can spend the whole day there wandering around exploring the grounds.

Last summer I used to head out regularly to Versailles to picnic in the gardens on Sundays. We always took the car (but then, we're used to driving in Paris...).
The nicest route is to exit Paris by the Porte de Versailles, and drive through Issy les Moulineaux, Meudon, Chaville and then arrive along the grand tree-lined avenue that leads to the Palace. It's slightly longer than the direct motorway route but it's prettier, and you get fantastic views of Paris as you drive back. We never had any trouble parking by the Chateau - we just drove all the way up the avenue and parked as near to the place as possible - the road has side-lanes for parking and as it's sunday, it'll be free. I've never seen it get too busy.

Just watch out for the traffic when returning to Paris in the evening, as you can get snarled up for hours. Indeed, this alone might make it worthwhile taking the RER...