Paris to Versailles.........
 

How does one get from Paris to Varsailles by train?
How long is the trip. Is it worth it??

Thanks

I've asked this also and gotten great info. The trip takes about 20-30 minutes, and there's a specific line to take. I don't remember right now, but if you check the posts under my name, you'll probably find it.

I also don't remember specifics since it was four years ago, but it was easy, quick, worth it, and a well spent afternoon, even in April, if you have the time.

We asked locals along the way and they were very helpful in making sure we got on the right train.

Hi bb,

You take RER line C to Versaille Rive Gauche.

Is it worth it?

One of my fondest memories is having a picnic in the gardens with my new bride. (You don't need to know the details.)

I checked my old posts and found the info. It's the RER 5C train to Versailles-Rive Gauche. I don't know if it's worth it since I haven't been yet. :)

Trip takes about 30 minutes. Take the Rive Gauche train from Paris. Do a search here as many folks have asked similar question.
As the other post can't remember specefics.

Awwwww.......Ira. Too sweet. Are you SURE you don't want to give us a few of those details?

One note: the RER line to Versailles splits (like a "Y") about halfway to Versailles... make sure you're on the right one, or you'll end up taking the wrong fork in the road. Silly me, that's what I did, and I wasted time backtracking. So make sure you're on the "C" (I think I was on the "A," my memory is hazy).

Raymond, good point since that is exactly what we did the first time we went:)

ira,
what a sweetie you are!!

Yes, indeed. Get on the RER-C to Versailles Rive Gauche; any train nicknamed "Vick" will take you there.

I think that it is worth it if you can go on one of the days that they have the fountains on. It is really amazing! Check before you go to get the right day of the week. Also, some of the travel books suggest that you take the shuttle bus from the train station and this is really not necessary. It is a very short walk.

For some great warm bread and scrumtious chocolate for the train ride back to Paris walk down into town about 3/4 blocks from the gare and on the same side of the street is a wonderful Boulanger/Patiserie(sp?)
Yummy for the tummy on the ride back!

Just got back from Paris a couple of days ago and must say...Versailles was without a doubt the most disappointing thing on the trip.((n))
The gardens were o.k...the usually expected prettiness but I think that I have a duty to warn others that the allegedly wonderful and absolutely breath taking spectacular fountain "show" is really not a show at all.When you enter the gardens the fountains are not on...then at 3:30 they start playing music and then...they...turn the fountains on...((?))...and that's it. Nothing else...so don't be sitting there waiting for anything else to happen cause...that's it. The fountain show means the fountains are turned on. No the water doesn't dance and move in sync to the music...no there's nothing in the fountains doing anything special...
What can I say? I felt like I was had! I honestly thought I had paid Six Euro for an actual fountain show...not just "The turning on of the fountains at Versailles accompanied by bad chamber music" /:-)

The fountains at Versailles are wonderful--no, they don't "do" anything, but remember when this was built. It truly is a wonder. They are turned on twice on Sundays--we time our visit so we can see it twice--you can walk around to the Grand Trianon, Petite Trianon, and eat lunch between. It is one of my never-skip events in Paris.

These are not the Fountains at the Bellagio in Las Vegas!!
The gardens were ok? What would be more than ok in your estimation?
sorry, but I don't understand how a person can to go a place of this size and with such amazing rooms and be annoyed that they didn't get their moneys worth when the fountains didn't do anything!
Maybe a history lesson would be good for a first time visit, one might have a better idea of what they are going to see and perhaps appreciate things more.

I agree the fountains are spectacular.

There is a hop-on-hop-off tram that will take you to both Trianons also gets you to the path to the Hameau. /:)

Scarlett, my thoughts exactly! We arrived at this amazing Palace before the gates opened and stayed until they basically threw us out - it is SO worth it, and don't worry about what the water in the fountains is/is not doing. The fountains are not the point.

bbonz2: Pay the admission that allows you into the apartments, read up a little so you have a clue what you are looking at, and be sure to rent an audio guide for the interiors (otherwise you might find yourself in front of a masterpiece just standing there thinking: "yes, that's a nice painting. . ."

Follow the directions given here for the train, exit the station, turn right on the street in front of you, and then it will be a (marked) left turn to the palace. Nice easy walk. Have a wonderful time!

bbonz2: Pay the admission that allows you into the apartments, read up a little so you have a clue what you are looking at, and be sure to rent an audio guide for the interiors (otherwise you might find yourself in front of a masterpiece just standing there thinking: "yes, that's a nice painting. . ."

Follw the directions given here for the train, exit the station, turn right on the street in front of you, and then it will be a (marked) left turn to the palace. Nice easy walk. Have a wonderful time!

I agree that even if the fountains aren't working, Versailles is an amazing visit - but you DO have to have some background on who lived there and why. Is it worth it? Boy! I hate those questions! Depends on what you're looking for.

Hi JAgirl,

Sorry you were disappointed by the fountains, but Versailes is not Vegas.

Hi Statia,

Here are *some* of the details. This was a loooong time ago.

We were staying at the Hotel Bonaparte, and I told Madame that I wished to take my wife to Versailles for a picnic.

She told me to wait while she made a phone call. Upon returning, she directed me to a charcuterie across the street.

I was greeted by the proprietesse who helped me to select a few items, told me to go next door and to come back in 20 min. I wondered why it would take 20 min to wrap up a few tarts and things, but went.

Next door, I was helped to select some pate's, and other delicatessen and was sent down the street. The owner said he would take my things to the charcuterie.

At the bakery, I was told that my things were being boxed and I could pick them up on my way back from the wine shop, to which I was directed.

At the wine shop, I was given two bottles.

I picked up a box from the bakery and went back to the charcuterie.

The lady took my things from me and told me to please wait.

About 5 min later, as I wondered what was going on, she returned with a pyramid of boxes wrapped in gold and green ribbons, and a basket. All of which she gave me, wished me bon apetit, and told me that the hotel would add the picnic to my bill.

Off we went to Versailles, where we wandered about until we found an enclosed garden with a fountain and a statue.

One of the guards wandered through while we were setting out our picnic on the grass. He smiled and said something nice as he went out.

No one entered the garden while we were there.

Needless to say, we have always stayed at the Bonaparte.

ira,
How perfectly Perfect !

Yes, it was.

I went to Versailles last week (July 23). It was beautiful and I would definately go again.

However, the trip took a great deal longer than 30 minutes. We took the Metro to the RER only to find that the RER and purchased our tickets. The woman did not speak English and I do not speak French. She did not tell me that the RER station was closed. We exited the Metro station to go into the RER station and found it was closed. There was a sign that said something about taking a bus to the next RER station, but it did not tell us where to find the bus. After wandering around the intersection, we found another American who seemed to know where to find the bus stop. We got on the next bus and someone told us to get off at the first stop, which we did. That was not the correct bus stop. We had about a 20 minute walk to the RER station, where the rest of the trip went smoothly. In total, it took us well over 2 hours to make the trip and it was VERY HOT!!!

Bottom Line - make sure the RER station is open before purchasing your ticket and leaving in the morning. Several RER/Metro stations are closed in Paris and they aren't often clearly marked. Do your homework!!

Also, my wife and daughters found no toilet seats/paper in the restroom in the gardens. The mens urinals were in plain view of the gardens. I hope your not shy

That sounds wonderful, Ira. I do see why you continually stay at the same hotel.

You sound a lot like my husband. Have you been giving him your secrets? Ha. Thanks for the details. Although my hubby does come up with some wonderful surprises, I'll be passing your story on to him with a little "hint, hint."

Just wanted to add that Versailles was perhaps the highlight of our stay in Paris -- which is saying a lot, as we were mesmerized by just about everything we saw. We too stayed at Versailles till they threw us out. Don't miss the opportunity to pay a visit.

That's a lovely episode, Ira.
You certainly didn't need dancing fountains.
Wishing you many more years of those moments.

The Museum Pass includes Versailles.

After reading other comments here I no longer feel quite so stupid that we too took the wrong side of the Y. Didn't have a problem coming back tho.

You can have a nice beer at the cafe across from the station if you have a wait for the returning train.

Here is the map of the RER lines:
http://www.citefutee.com/orienter/f_...rer&fm=pdf
The RER C is the yellow one, and Versailles Rive Gauche is the C5 terminus on the west.

Be careful when you take this RER to go to Versailles, because there are trains to Versailles, St Quentin en Yvelines, Argenteuil and Cergy Pontoise wich all go in the same way between Bibliothèque François Mitterand and Champ de Mars/Tour Eiffel.

My family really enjoyed renting bikes and riding to the Grand Trianon and the Petite Trianon. We also rented a rowboat on the lake. My teens and I really enjoyed this relaxing day and would love to return.

First of all I'm not saying that Versailles isn't beautiful. The Palace and the Trianons are spectacular...the grounds are massive and are pretty.
I'm a European history major so I know the history of France quite well as well as I know the history of Versailles. The Palace itself was not the issue of my disappointment. The "fountain show" was my issue of disappointment. We spent only five days in Paris and I wish I had not spent one whole day at Versaiiles waiting for the supposed spectacular fountain show at 3:30. Had I known exactly what the "show" was, I would have definitley done Versailles on another trip when time was not an issue or would have toured the palace and the Trianons, walked the gardens and then would have left earlier and gone back to Paris to spend the rest of the day.
I also understand that Versailles is not Vegas.I was not expecting Vegas..I was expecting a fountain show though. I also think the term "Fountain show" is misleading. It is not a show of any kind. It's merely the turning on of the fountains. Even the employees at Versailles couldn't understand why we were all so excited to see the "fountain show"!!!
All I'm saying is that if you're going for the experience that's Versailles, go...yes it's worth it...if you're going to see THE fountain show...then be aware of what exactly you'll be getting.