We will be traveling to Paris this summer (after our month long trip to Africa). By the time we get to Paris, our pockets will be close to empty. So, we're trying to decide if we'd enjoy Versailles or a cruise along the Seine River.

What are your thoughts? We'll be there in August, family of 5 (kids are 12/12/13). We will have already done a week cruise along the Nile and I'm not sure if I'd really feel like getting on another boat.

Thanks!

Do both! A Seine sightseeing cruise lasts only about an hour or two, and is a lovely way to see Paris, especially at night. A great way to get more of Paris while resting weary feet after a long day of walking around Versailles.

How long will you be there? If it is just an overnight, I'd pass on both, in August. Although the boat ride is pretty. Hardly a cruise, though. There is plenty to see and do in Paris, and I'm guessing the kids will be happy to be in a "western" city. They might enjoy a movie by then, and you can find new releases playing in English with French subtitles, which they might enjoy.

It would be hard to think of two more radically different activities, but both are very enjoyable. Unless you have a full week in Paris, though, I wouldn't troop out to Versailles, especially in August.

We have 5 days.

I'm not sure why you can't do both - most of the Seine "cruises" are only about an hour. But if you can only do one, the cruise would get my vote.

I enjoy Versailles, but I'm not sure I would do it if you only have five days total. It takes up a full day, or close to it, if you want to see the palace and gardens, and I enjoy the gardens, the trianons and Marie Antoinette's hamlet more than the palace, so it needs a lot of time to do it justice imho. And in August it would probably be unbearably hot and crowded.

They don't at all compete w/ each other. Take a cruise at night and go to Versailles -- IF you decide you can spare the time -- one day.

But you don't have to decide until you are in Paris -- you may find you are doing/seeing so much that you don't want to go to Versailles.

cut out a few croissants and do both - kids will love the Seine cruises even though you may be cruised out - and they are short enough and do not cost a fortune. Lots of things you can cut out to make up the few euros to do both.

A week cruise on the Nile and an hour boat ride on the Seine are two completely different things. Do the Seine cruise at night and look at Paris all lit up.

I don't consider those two activities comparable in any way, so it's like asking what should I do, eat breakfast or go to the Louvre?

It depends on your interests. The cruise is just a pleasant diversion. Versailles is an important historic monument in French and World history, in fact. I would obviously choose Versailles over a Seine cruise if I could only do one for those reasons. But I am very interested in history.

I agree, these are both interesting but certainly not comparable activities. One of the Seine cruises has a coupon on their website that will save you a bit of money -
http://www.vedettesdupontneuf.com/

I also agree not to make a decision about Versailles until you are there. Nothing to pre-purchase or make reservations for.

I'll see if I can find it but somewhere on this forum is a thread about free things to do in Paris and I'm sure there are some that are pre-teen/teen friendly. If I find it, I'll post a link.

I did a search on Bing (free things to do in Paris) and got a bunch of links. Here's one:
http://www.parislogue.com/things-to-do

http://www.fodors.com/news/story_2065.html

I'd also suggest searching this forum to find the thread I was thinking of. Not sure how old it is but I know I copied some ideas from it for my last trip.

Have fun! Sounds like a fun trip!

I would choose Versailles, if it is absolutely one or the other.
Magnifique!

Stay in Paris! If you're trying to save money skip Versailles and take the batobus on the Seine.

I was 13 on my first trip to Versailles and I mostly remember shuffling my feet from room to room and waiting in queues!

The Paris Plage (Paris beaches) should be going on in August along the Seine while you are there which would be fantastic for your children. Even though last July when my DH and I were in Paris we did do Versailles and a Bastille Day dinner cruise, (both spectacular) I'm sad we missed the beaches by a day.

I also say "wing-it" and don't make up your mind until you're there. You don't have to pre-purchase either of those things. They're both easy to get when you're there. We didn't get to Versailles until our 2nd trip back. It did not make the cut on the first Paris trip. Too much to do!

Why not do The Seine Cruise and a trip to Fontainbleau instead of Versailles. It seems the entry fee for Versailles is 20 Euro and Fontainbleau is 5.50 Euro. (Not sure about the difference in train fare). We have visited both and we really preferred Fontainbleau over Versailles.

wow, u all are awesome! Thanks a ton! We'll decide when we get there cls2paris, thanks for the links!

If you buy in advance on http://www.vedettesdupontneuf.com/ you can save €5 each. The tickets dont have a set time, so just print the ticket and go whenever you want.