I was wondering if anyone has a tip here on the best way to see Versailles Easter week. I have been once before that week and remember it being horribly crowded. I was with a student tour company so we did not have to wait as we had a private tour. This trip I am with girlfriends and we are on a tight budget. We are taking two 20 somethings who have never been and would love to find a way to do it without wasting half the day in line. Suggestions? Of course, we know the museum pass trick, but is there any other way? Also, according to the NYTimes, students and teachers are free at all national museums starting April 4th, so that sounds like even MORE crowds than usual! Thanking you all in advance....

Versailles is rarely not crowded, if only because the new Asian visitors from China have a passion for it.

"Wasting half the day in line" is nevertheless somewhat difficult to believe.

Your best bet, is to arrive at Versailles (I mean at the entrance gate, not the train station) BEFORE opening time. But that could be difficult to acheive with two twenty-somethings...

Anyway, that's what we did back in Sept last year. We arrived 10 minutes before the gates opened, and we were among the first 10 people to enter. We had the whole palace to ourselves for the first 20 minutes or so. We toured the State Apts first before it got crowded. The gardens don't matter as much because it's so huge that it won't feel crowded no matter how many people are there.

Early birds indeed get the worm. If your itinerary is fixed, my next idea isn't worth considering: Go to Fontainebleau instead. I like it more.

Thanks all...I have no control over the agenda and may even skip Versailles myself (as I have had lovely visits there twice.) But I have seen the Easter week lines and they were akin to Disneyland. No exaggeration...I had hoped someone knew of a budget tour that may get you inside earlier. I will keep fishing or tell them to plan to be there well before the gates open.