Does anyone have suggestions as to good tours to the palace of versailles? We will be based in paris, and are looking for a good bus, van or private tour. Also, should we do 1/2 day or whole day tour?

I think it would be a sad waste to go with an organized tour. It is so easy to take the train from Paris to Versailles and do it on your own. I recommend using the audio guide once you get there. This way you can linger and admire the beauty of Versailles w/o being rushed. I would give Versailles a whole day in order to see the palace and the grounds. Here's a link with some info:

http://www.chateau-de-versailles.fr/en/

We took the train with no problems and had fun guiding ourselves around Versailles. The Audio tour is recommended.

We brought wine, cheese, and bread with us and had a lovely picnic on the grounds.

I agree - it's easy to do it on your own. The train station is just a short walk from the Palace, maybe 10 minutes or so. The Palace itself, the Trianons and Marie-Antoinette's 'farm' are closed Mondays but the gardens are open that day. If you can, go on a weekend when all the waterworks/fountains are turned on and there is music playing throughout the gardens. Saturdays are less crowded then Sundays.

And make sure to get your tickets in advance so you don't have to wait in the long queue. You can usually enter the gardens without a wait. On days with crowds it's a good idea to do the gardens, Trianons, etc, first, have lunch in the garden, then visit the Palace later in the afternoon.

The place is huge. You'll need a whole day and even then you probably won't see it all.

It's been a few years since I've been, but there used to be a good flea market set up in the town on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays until about 2 p.m. I have some lovely large French silverware that I picked up there for a song.

I agree with the above posters about doing it on your own but if you want a tour check out these:

Fat Tire Bike Tours
Cityrama
Paris Vision
Paris Walks

http://www.paris-walks.com/private-tours.html

http://fattirebiketours.com/paris/tours