Versailles-How Long to Plan for a Visit to Trianons
 

Although we've been to Paris quite a few times, we've never been to Versailles. We will be there in early December and I'm looking forward to seeing the palace this time. We also want to stroll around the town (Saint-Louis and Notre-Dame neighborhoods) and eat. This may sound crazy for a first visit, but I've always been more interested in the Trianons and hamlet and I don't think we'll have time for them and the grand palace and seeing the town, so I think we're going to just see the Trianons. I'm trying to figure out how long that may take. I'd love to hear from those that have been there before approximately how much time it takes to see them. We will be there on a Saturday and I plan to purchase our tickets in advance.

Thank you!

There's a little hop-on/hop-off train that runs from the north terrace of the palace out to the Trianons and the Hamlet. It's the easiest and quickest way to get to those areas. We have done that first, then come back to the palace later to go through the Hall of Mirrors and a few of the other rooms on that level. By that time the crowds were not so bad.

http://www.train-versailles.com/index.html

I suppose that it took us an hour or so to wonder around the Trianons and the hamlet.

be warned that Versailles can be very chilly and damp in January.

The weather will be a factor - first time I visited Versailles in late November there was an ice storm and walking outdoors was not pleasant, so strolling the grounds and seeing the hameau was not a viable option. The town, however, was delightful - great shops and the merchants had gotten together to select a common theme for holiday decorations. 25 years later I still treasure a globe ornament bought in one of those shops and recall the luscious chocolat chaud at a tea room in town.

As MaineGG mentions, the train can expedite things, though they run only every 30 minutes (-ish) If visiting the hameau keep in mind that it is about a ten minute walk from the train stop near the petit trianon. Given favorable weather, you can walk between the petit and grand trianon areas- the interactive map at http://en.chateauversailles.fr/homepage can help you plan. You can also make the circuit doing hop on hop off, and the time will depend on how much you look and linger. I'd say no less than two hours. At that time of year it will be dark early, so plan accordingly.

Thanks so much, you guys. This is very helpful! Good to know that it will take approximately two hours.

I appreciate also both the map link and the train link.

Nice memory, Seamus. :) Well, the second memory. I sincerely hope we don't have an ice storm or snow.

If you didn't know already, the town of Versailles tourist office website has excellent and extensive info about visiting the town (click on the Discoveries tab):

http://www.versailles-tourisme.com/en/accueil.html

I definitely wouldn't miss the Trianons! Loved them after seeing them for the first time on my third trip to Versailles. I would plan to spend 45 min at each one.

I also like the Trianons! I visited them last May on a damp day. There was an Angelina's Tea Salon beside the Petit Trianon so you might be able to enjoy a chocolat chaud while there.

mm - perhaps I missed the point of them. I can remember the walk there and back, and a bit of le petit Trianon, and the Tea Shop next door, but not a lot more than that.

Thanks again to the rest of you. I appreciate the link to the tourist office. I'm off to check that out next. Ugh. I just wish we had more time there. I'm sure most would think it crazy to spend 2 out of a 7-day Paris trip in Versailles (although we've been to Paris a few times now).

I think everyone has different preferences of the palaces. Ever since I heard about the Trianons, I've wanted to see them so that's the reason they're a priority for me.

toriacat - of course I understand that you want to see them, I wanted to see them too.

it's just that when I got there, they didn't seem that exciting, so I'm hoping that you are not going to be disappointed.

Thanks, annhig. I hope I'm not either!

and wrap up warm - Versailles can be very cold.

I'll add that I loved the pink marble of the Grand Trianon. I'm think it might actually be red marble but it looks pink.
And yes, dress warm!