My husband and I plan to take the train from Paris to Versailles on Sunday, May 3rd. We have been to Versailles previously, but did not have time to see much of the gardens or the Domaine de Marie-Antionette, which is the purpose of this visit. I have several questions:
1. We are not interested in seeing the Chateau this trip, is there a pass that covers just the gardens and Domaine that can be purchased ahead of time in Paris?
2. If not, do we buy the tickets for the garden and Domaine at the main gate or somewhere else?
3. Once we get our tickets, is it best to enter through the main gate and walk through the gardens on our way to the Domaine? If I am reading the schedule correctly, it looks like the fountains run on Sundays from 11:00-Noon; and the Domaine opens at Noon, which seems to make it a good idea to start in the gardens and walk to the Domaine.
4. Am I correct that the admission for the gardens is 8euro and the Domaine 10euro?
5. If we want to use the Petit Train (tram), do we purchase tickets on the train itself?

Thank you very much for any help and suggestions you can offer.

hi tracilee,

have you accessed the web-site? if so, it would be helpful if you could post the link so as to assist those who are kind enough to wish to assist you.

regards, ann

Yes, I did look at the website, but still my questions remain...

Here it is: http://www.chateauversailles.fr/en/index.php

Looks like what you want is the <i>PASSEPORT GRANDES EAUX</i> which you can buy online through their website.
<i>
This ticket allows you to watch the Grandes Eaux Musicales show in the gardens and discover the estate of Versailles in minute detail. It provides access to all the independent tour paths of the Château, park, Trianon and Estate of Marie-Antoinette.

Note:
An audioguide available in 10 languages is included in the price of the ticket.
The palace is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00am. to 6:30pm.
The Châteaux de Trianon and the Domaine of Marie-Antoinette [Marie-Antoinette Estate] are open Tuesday to Sunday from 12 to 6:30pm.
We suggest arriving in the morning to take full advantage of this offer. The ticket is valid on the date printed on the ticket.</i>

http://billetterie.chateauversailles...4-000000000115

Thanks, yk. I looked at that, but wasn't sure if that was the best bet since we don't want to go to the Chateau this trip. It seems that it would be cheaper to buy the gardens and the Domaine seperately (8 and 10 euro)but it doesn't look like you can buy them on the website.

That ticket, as far as I could tell, DOES NOT include admission into the Chateau. Only the grounds, gardens, the musical show, the trianons and the domaine.

Oh, maybe not. Forget what I wrote above.

The GEM tickets are separate - if you order on line, you pick them up at the booths outside the rear of the central palace, which are accessible by walking around the left side of the main building (tickets to the apartments aren't necessary to go through this way).

Go to maps.google.com and enter <B>48.804177,2.120305</B> to see exactly where these booths are. The trams that take you down the hill to the Trianons and Marie country load here: 48.80557,2.120115

You might want to consider a bike tour of the grounds. In June 2006 our combo group of 5 teens & 4 adults used: www.fattirebiketours.com/paris for a private tour. They offer group and private tours.

All agreed this was one of the highlights of our 2 wk trip in France. From their Paris office with the guide leading the way, we rode bikes to the train station, then the train to the town of Versailles. We rode to the local market, bought picnic food then on to the Palace grounds. We toured around stopping at interesting sights, had a picnic along the canal and then toured the inside of the Palace. In our opinion, the inside of the palace was a bit of a let down compared to the property. Finally we rode back to the train station for our return to Paris. It was an 8-5 day but so worth it.

Thank you all for your quick replies. I will look into the bike tour, my husband likes to bike, so that might be a good idea. And, thank you, Robespierre, for the google link - it gives me a very good idea of where the ticket booths and trams are. If we do decide to just go with the gardens and Domaine, it looks like we will have to buy the tickets once we get there, I don't see this particular combination on the website.