elaine

Hi
We expect to be visiting the chateau via RER and walking, in January. I haven't been there for several years.
Any convenient and pleasant suggestions for lunch, afternoon tea, or just good pastry?

cmeyer54

Just off the gardens, we had a very nice lunch last August. Dont' remember the name but we could have been seated either inside or out. could be a good place for lunch on the grounds.

StCirq

Last time we were there we ate from one of the snack bars in the gardens - simple stuff, but pleasant surroundings. I don't know if they're open inJanuary or not, though. If not, you might try the Cameleone Café at
19 rue Pourvoierie in town.

elaine

Hi
StCirq,I'll try to find an on-line map, but is that place near the train station or between the station and the chateau?

We might visit the Trianons if we have time, but the gardens per se don't sway me much for January.

DanM

There are several places directly infront of and across the parking lot from the main entrance to the palace.

HowardR

We, too, had a very pleasant lunch at the restaurant on the grounds that cmeyer mentioned. Unfortunately, I don't remember its name either.

abby97

We had lunch in town at a lovely bistro - La Boeuf a la Mode (4 rue au Pain). The desserts were to die for. It's located in the town center, around place du Marche Notre-Dame.

elle

We had a nice lunch in a creperie that was on the way back to the train station. Sorry, but I don't think I jotted down the name. It was quite noticeable and popular, though.

StCirq

If I remember correctly, elaine, it was about halfway between the train station and the entrance to the chateau, between the Avenue de St-Cloud and the Boulevard de la Reine, off the rue Maréchal Foch.

elaine

Hi StCirq
thanks, I emailed the tourism office and asked them to send me a town map since I can't find a good one on line.
I'm also going to check my Steinbicker book "Daytrips Paris" because I'm sure there's a town center map in there.

Phone number for La Boeuf a la Mode in case anyone wants it is
01 39 50 31 99, 4 rue au Pain

I'll look to see if the restaurant on the grounds is open in January, and I'll see if I can figure out the name of the creperie by location.
any other ideas welcome, thanks

suntravler

Last year we had a lovely day at Versaille. We took an early train and had both breakfast and lunch in the town. For breakfast we walked to the main town square where they have the big open-air market. In one corner of the square...all the way in a back corner on the left side...was a WONDERFUL bakery. The croissants were the BEST I've ever had, especially the ones with chocolate. They had a few tables inside and out. I hope you can find the one I mean.

From the bakery..on our walk towards the palace, we passed a small restaurant that looked very nice. After our tour of the palace, we went back there for lunch.

It was called "Le Baltika" at 6, Rue des 2 Portes. It was in a small alleyway just off to the side of the bakery where we had breakfast. (They are closed on Mondays.) The price was very reasonable for a 3-course lunch and a glass of house wine.

I hope you have museum passes from Paris because they will help you bypass the long lines for admission at Versaille...if they still have the same arrangment as during my trip.

Have a wonderful trip.

elaine

for anyone else
La Baltika
6 rue des Deux Portes
Tel: 01-39-50-21-53

suntravlr
is the square you're referring to the Marche Notre Dame, Notre Dame market in front of the cathedral?

elaine

I've also linked this thread to the Paris superthread

hunnym

I can't recommend any lunch places in Versailles, because we tried to get lunch at around 2:30 and we were told that we were too late for lunch (I specifically remember being told that at a very cute creperie, among a couple of other places).

My advice is to get lunch during typical French lunch time hours - don't put it off too long, as we did in Versailles. Snacks are easier - I remember quite a few places where I would have loved to get a snack (but fiance wanted more of a meal).

elaine

these websites are not new discoveries, but they've come in handy so I thought I'd post them here

www.chateauversailles.fr/

www.versailles-france.com/tfaqa003.htm

www.frommers.com/destinations/versailles/

town of Versailles:
www.versailles-tourisme.com lots of links to restaurants, hotels, and town attractions

also www.mairie-versailles.fr

A helpful Rick Steves article on visiting Versailles http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/countries/versail.htm

For an article on top rung dining in Versailles (1999)
http://www.nytimes.com/library/trave.../ct990124.html

SusanP

elaine, We had delicious crepes at La Coiffe Bretonne. It was directly on the street between the palace and the train station. If you're walking from the palace back to the train station, it's on the right-hand side, set back just a little bit from the sidewalk.

elaine

thanks, here's more info

A la Coiffe Bretonne
10 avenue Charles De Gaulle
(that is indeed the street that leads from the train station to the chateau as
SusanP said)
open daily lunch served 10-4, dinner 6pm to 11pm
prix fixe menu 10-18 euro for lunch or dinner, plus a la carte
tel 01 30 21 78 22

suntravler

"suntravlr
is the square you're referring to the Marche Notre Dame, Notre Dame market in front of the cathedral?"

ELAINE: Looking at a map that I saved, I believe this is correct.

elaine

good suggestions here, thanks