vercia

My wife and I will be spending four days in Paris in May, and want to fit in a visit to Palace of Versailles, preferably with a tour as we are new to Paris

We are staying at the Londres et New York, near terminus St Lazare. Does anyone know of good, reasonably priced restaurants near there?

Vercia.

P_M

I don't see why you need a tour. Trains are frequent and a heck of a lot less expensive. Once you get there you can get maps of the grounds and audio headsets that will give you all the info you need as you walk from room to room. Also by going independently you can stay as long as you like. I was there in January and we were at Versailles from 10am to 5ish, and we didn't feel like we saw everything. Please, don't go with a tour and be rushed through such a magnificent place.

ira

Hi ver,

>...want to fit in a visit to Palace of Versailles, preferably with a tour...<

Be adventerous. Take the RER line C to Versailles Rive Gauche.

Buy your tickets and take a tour after you get there.

The fountains are on on Sunday in the season.

See http://www.chateauversailles.fr/en/

monique123

In looking at the different tickets for Versailles, it looks like the Versailles Pass, for 21 euros, which included an RER ticket to Versailles (but not back to Paris??), an audioguide, the palace and the gardens (I'm planning to go on a Sunday, so the gardens would be 6 euros alone). Am I right on this?

elaine

Monique, I've heard of the Versailles pass but haven't researched it. The RER ticket isn't labeled as a 'return' ticket?
Also, what parts of the palace does it include--with normal admission, some rooms are included and some are not.

elaine

also, in case you don't realize, if you were planning on purchasing a Carte Musee/Museum Pass for Paris, general admission for the Chateau of Versailles is included in that.

monique123

I was thinking about purchasing the Carte Musee, but not sure if the timing would work, since Day 1 would be for Versailles on Sunday, leaving Monday and Tuesday for the other museums, and half are closed Monday, and the other half closed Tuesday. According to Rick Steves, the Versailles Pass includes "your train fare from Paris and gives you priority access to these entrances: State Apartments, the King's Private Apartments, both Trianon Palaces, the gardens, and Les Grand Eaux Musicales." Note that it doesn't mention return train fare to Paris. I'm trying to figure out how much, if anything I would save by buying the Versailles Pass. I don't read French, so I don't know if the Versailles website would be of any help. Can anyone out there help out?

P_M

Monique, the web site that Ira posted is in English.

janeg

This was super fun! http://www.fattirebiketoursparis.com/ Used to be Mike's Bike Tours. Someday I want to go back & do their Segway tour.

monique123

Yes, Ira, I know that. But it doesn't have any info on the Versailles Pass. I think the French version probably has the info, similar to how the Carte Orange is never mentioned in the English version of the RATP website.

elaine

I went through the French version of the chateau website, no further details on the Versailles Pass.

ira

Here's what Rick Steves says about the Versailles Pass.

http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/desti...ce/versail.htm

Dave_in_Paris

Hi Vercia,

Not sure whether you want a tour within the palace, or someone to take you to the palace. If it's the latter , we've used Paris Trip
http://www.paris-trip.com/
and been very pleased. They'll pick you up at your hotel in an air conditioned van and there's commentary on Versailles, by a guide, en route. On site, you can visit the gardens or not, as you like. The palace tour is self-guided. You can rent earphones.

vercia

From Vercia

Thanks everyone - how can one go wrong when travelling when one has access to the great help one gets on this forum.? Much appreciated

clevelandbrown

I read the Rick Steves article and he recommends against getting the Versailles pass, unless you intend to see absolutely everything, which is probably more than mortals can do in a day.

As I recall, the train was about 5 euro round trip. We had museum passes (we actually bought them at the grand trianon, bypassing substantial lines elsewhere), but we had to pay a separate fee to get into the gardens, and my fading dated memory is that was 3 euro. There is a shuttle bus from the train station to the gate, but is was overcrowded when we visited, so we walked. Its only a short walk.

It is very often quite crowded. Plan on losing an hour or two waiting in line for the bathrooms, unless you make other arrangements.

elaine

If you are arriving at the Versailles Rive Gauche RER station, I don't recall if there is a bathroom in the station, but when you walk out the station's front door, directly across from you is a McDonald's (no golden arches) and their bathroom is said to be clean--be nice and buy something.

nini

You absolutely do not need a tour. We took the RER, spent a half day there, found a little restaurant nearby and enjoyed a late lunch. When we saw all the people on tours & many buses we were so thankful to not be a part of it.

monique123

I'm planning to go on a Sunday "spray-day," so if I add up what I would absolutely see: State Apts, (7.5 euros), Gardens (6 euros), Trianons (5 euros), Audioguide (4.5 euros) plus RER fare (5 euros): separately this adds up to 28 euros, so I guess the Versailles Pass would make sense at 21 euros, and if I have the time and inclination, can add the King's Aptmts (normally 4.5 euros, but included in the Versailles Pass). I guess I would have to wait and see if it's raining when I'm actually there on April 10. If anyone has done the "whole" Versailles, can you comment on how long it took you and what you would not recommend? Thank you very much for all the replies.

StCirq

I think it would take a full day, and a very long one at that, to see all of Versailles. I've been many times, but the last time we were there for four-five hours and only got to the State Apts., Mary Antoinette's Hameau, and about half the gardens. It was very, very crowded (in July), and the lines were horrible. It's a BIG place, and things are spread out, so plan to do a LOT of walking!

monique123

I just saw something confusing while browsing through a Google search on this subject. One woman complained that the Versailles pass simply gave access to the King's Aptmt., but then one would have to purchase a guided tour to get in? Is this correct? Any comments, and are the King's Aptmts. worth seeing?