we have a limited 2 1/2 day stop in Paris, early Sept, and have almost finished our plans for the hi-lights (Louvre, etc etc).... we wanted to see the Palace Versaille but, most reviews I've seen lately report long lines, huge crowds, and the grounds a little worse for wear ? with so many other sites to see, is it worth the 20 train (or 1 hour depending on the source) and the cost to see this attraction ? my wife saw it 43 years ago on a school trip,

With such a short stop in Paris, I wouldn't use most of a day to leave the city to see anything. I suggest you save it for another time when you have a week or more. Especially since you seem to have an aversion to crowds, as do I.

On the other hand, though probably not for this trip, there's what seems to be a little-known garden in Versailles, not far from the palace, called Le Potager de Roi, the king's vegetable garden, which I photographed some years ago. I loved the place and I was nearly alone.

For the garden-lovers: http://www.potager-du-roi.fr/site/potager/

With a mere 2.5 days in Paris, I wouldn't do it. Indeed, we opted not to do it when we had 10 days in Paris. We didn't want to tear ourselves away from the city for the day trip.

NO - stay in the city and eat and enjoy the sites in Paris

Make it unanimous! Stay in Paris this time.

As much as I loved Versailles, there is so so much to see and do in Paris, I would give it a pass. You will want more time to see Versailles without rushing and it is always busy. Paris is divine.

We just spent 6 days in Paris last week and we are sorry we spent one of those days in Versailles. We had tickets for a 9:30am guided tour of the apartments which helped because we did not stand in line to get in but touring the rest of the palace was very unpleasant - it was so crowded, people were pushing and shoving in some rooms, raised hands with iPhones and cameras blocked everything, it was NOT enjoyable at all. After seeing the Hall of Mirrors we got out of the palace as fast as we could. We took refuge in the gardens. When we left at about 2pm, the entrance was still a veritable mass of humanity.

I'll be a contrarian and say that you should go to Versailles if it really interests you - especially if you are planning a lot of museum and attraction hopping in Paris, a leisurely stroll through the gardens of Versailles can be a fantastic way to relax and be awed by (landscaped) natural beauty in good weather.

My first visit to Paris was last October, and with only 3 nights/2.5 days, I did elect to visit Versailles, and cut some other things to accommodate it. I went around lunchtime on a Saturday, brought a picnic, and started with the gardens, grounds, and Petit and Grand Trianon. Then around 3-3:15 PM, I made my way to the palace where the lines had died down as people were leaving or heading to the gardens. There were some areas more crowded than others (Louis XVI bedchamber) but the Hall of Mirrors was fairly people free and I did not feel overwhelmed at all.

I love green spaces and like to mix up city with some parks/gardens, so I loved my time at Versailles. Yes, you'll be missing something else in Paris, but if you do intend to come back, you'll have a chance to revisit. Either way you won't get to see it all, but if Versailles is really of interest to you, I'd say don't dismiss it out of hand.

I'm heading to Paris again in September, with my boyfriend for 5 nights. This time I'll get to the Louvre, since I cut that with too little time for me to feel I could do it justice, but I probably will (happily) visit Versailles again since he is desperate to go.

This was my post about experiencing Versailles (which I never got around to including in my trip report):

http://inspiredexplorer.com/versailles-chateau/

http://inspiredexplorer.com/versaill...of-versailles/

No.
If you ask yourself (and the forum) you are not a freak of Versaille.
So don't go.

I went to Versailles the other day with friends. It opens at 9am. We were in the ticket-holders' line (internet tickets) line by about 8:30 with about 40 people ahead of us. At 9am, we all just walked in after the minor security control. There were about 300 people behind us by then, but the tour buses had not yet arrived.