Versailles: should I go?
 

I'm leaving on June 26th for what will be my 3rd visit to Paris. This time, I'm travelling with my parents and my sister, none of whom have ever been to Paris before. All three of them want to visit Versailles during our time in Paris. I didn't visit Versailles on my first two trips to Paris, mainly because I found that there was more than enough for me to see and do in the city, and it just wasn't a priority.

This trip to Paris will be a short 6 days, and although initially I thought I should go with my family to visit Versailles THIS time, because I haven't been yet, I can't seem to get excited about the idea. It's not like I'm not interested in seeing the palace, I just don't want to spend precious Paris time on a day trip during such a short stay in Paris. I'd rather save it for a longer trip. I'm going through my guide books and finding TONS of stuff I really want to see and do within Paris itself--just like the last two times I went. So I feel like I could make better use of my time staying in the city.

On the other hand, my parents and sister want me to go with them, and it might be a while until I can go to Paris again (though I hope not) and I do have an interest in seeing the palace.

So tell me: Is Versailles really so incredible that it's a MUST see? I know that everyone has a different opinion on this matter, and that in the end, it comes down to what I want, but I guess I'm just looking for some help making up my mind. Give me your opinions, oh wise Fodorites! :)

Goodness, it's like someone challenged me to see how many times I could say "Paris" and "Versailles" in the same post. Should have done a little editing there...

I would say go if only for the reason that you may not get to do something like that with your parents again. My sweet mother really wanted to see Versailles when we went to Paris two years ago. It was not high on my priority list but she really wanted to go. We had 7 days in Paris and I know we missed some things there but I wouldn't trade our day in Versailles for anything! We rented a golf cart after our tour of the palace and were able to toot around easily and see all the surrounding gardens. Just my two cents worth.

I really liked it and thought I fab, that said I have been to Paris many many times......

IMO, it's a must with 6 days time. We especially enjoyed Marie A.'s little houses at the far end of the gardens.

IMHO, it is a must see, and yes, I would go. As a matter of fact, I suggest it even when people have only two or three days in Paris. However, it is not, also IMHO, a place to be rushed. My best visit was going straight to Versailles from the airport, arriving around noon, checking into the hotel, having a leisurely lunch, exploring the gardens and having dinner. It was a fantastic way to start the trip and get over any jet lag. The next morning very early we toured the chateau and were back in Paris by noon. You are probably already committed to your Paris hotel, but if not, consider starting your trip there.

Visiting Versailles has its cons as it is very crowded, reservations are a must, and visiting the park makes for a very long day, but on the other side it is an incredible place - the place all other royal palaces were copied. My trip to Versailles is still one of my nicest memories.

The place is iconic, obviously, and even though you say this seems like a waste of time and its only a 6-day trip, don't forget its also only a six-day trip for everybody else, too.

How disappointed will they be if you don't go with them and why? Are they feeling the need to have you along because they are reluctant to venture anywhere by themselves?

It is hard to answer this question not knowing what sort of relationship you have with these folks and just how they view your presence on the trip. Did they insist you go? Did you offer to "show them around" perhaps?

Hard for me to be objective, since I've been there about a dozen times (not out of choice), but I wouldn't go again. Fontainebleau is far more interesting, historically and otherwise, IMO, and FAR less crowded.

I just can't abide the nose-to-shoulder crowds at Versailles and the lines to get in, and all the other logistical nightmares that make it a less-than-pleasant experience.

The gardens are nice and Marie Antoinette's hameau is interesting in a quirky, kind of sad way, but the palace, I feel about as fond of it as a French peasant during the uprising.

Although I've only been there twice, I feel quite the same as StCirq.

The entire place leaves me feeling sad, ruffled, out of sorts and very in touch with the horrors of the times.

Speaking of ruffled: my dear cousin, a very sweet girl who was a peace maker and not one to argue with anyone, was so fed up in the Hall of Mirrors that she loudly told the people near her to back off and pushed her way to an open doorway.

Maybe go at a very carefully chosen time.

I plan to not go back to Versailles. We are going to Fontainbleau, though! Never been there and looking forward to it.

Versailles to me is IN Paris - a short RER trip right to the gates and is one of the very top sights in Paris.In six days you certainly can find time for the half-day needed at most if in a rush to get back to Paris

it's not just the palace that reeks of history but the vast park and gardens, like Marie-Antoinette's Hameau or Hamlet where allegedly she was want to dress up like the peasant farm gal and tend to animals, etc.

Let you parents go on their own - they are probably old enough to manage - it's their high priority as it is most folks.

30 minutes or so by RER right to Palace gates - have a Paris Museum Pass and you'll get priority entrance or book a timed entry, if possible and I think it is, on the official site.

One of the Wonders of the Modern World - don't miss it like - at least do not let your parents miss it.

<<One of the Wonders of the Modern World>>

HUH?

I've been four times, in the 70s, 80s and late 90s. By far the highlight of all the visits was a small group tour by a badged guide which included the opera house, private chambers, etc. I saw a documentary once about the Versailles guides--very difficult process to qualify. He was excellent and incredibly snobby which was great fun.

By the last visit the lobby crowds, the queues and swarms in the Hall of Mirrors certainly took away from the overall experience. Still, it is amazing and I like Sass's suggestion on how to approach it. The gardens, trianons, l'hameau are a hike, but a beautiful one. I like the thought of a golf cart, new since I was last there.

I would go if I were you but plan ahead.

Why is this so hard? I see no reason whatever to talk you into it. If you don't want to go, don't go, do something else that day. Every reason I see above in a quick skim of the replies gives you reasons why it's important to the person who wrote it, or not important, and in no way determines how you ought to spend your time. You can also leave the decision until breakfast that day and forget it now.

<<One of the Wonders of the Modern World>>

you're right it is just another palace - skip it - I will admit that it often is sardine city on the tours - no time to linger, etc - why - so so many people actually want to visit this ordinary palace - wonder why?

each to their own - A chacun a son gout or whatever that archaic saying is - each to their own taste but if you've never been there - go!

def. go you'll be upset if you dont. def. take the little train around the grounds.

Go - it is worth it.

Well, I guess your feelings about not going on this trip just don't mean much, do they?

I went my second trip to Paris and LOVED it - but I am a history freak - and all the way walking through I was remembering stories about the ancien regime told by my Professor of French history - especially about the levee.

If everyone else wants to go I would go with them - I think you would enjoy it more that way

yes it will be crowded, but it is worthwhile, and you can escape the crowds by going to the gardens which are vast, and seeing the other smaller buildings.

if you happen to leave when it closes, have dinner in town and get a later and less crowded train back to Paris.

I must agree with willowjane...who knows when you will be able to travel as a family again, so enjoy doing this outing together where you will all experience something new together.

That's for the all the replies! They make me feel more satisfied with the most recent turn of events. Namely, that fortunately (?) for me, my dad solved my problem for me by booking us all for a tour. Apparently, this tour takes 4 hours. Since we're leaving the apartment (we rented for the week) at 830 in the morning, I'm hoping I'll still have some time to do something in the city in the evening. As for Versailles, I'm going, and I fully intend to enjoy it.

Compromise, I suppose.

But really, thanks for all the input! I've really enjoyed reading all your thoughts about Versailles. While I'm definitely not huge on crowds, it is starting to sound like it's more worthwhile than I thought :)

Just in case that's not quite clear, a tour of Versailles. And that should be THANKS, not that's :)

First time I visited Versailles it was during a winter storm and we trod carefully across ice covered cobblestones. Have been back in summer heat, in crisp autumn, for night time fireworks and musical tableaux on the grounds, even a midnight masked ball. Yeah, I think you should go. As noted, it's not really a day trip like, say, Normandy - it's a Paris suburb, really. Do get advance tickets to shorten the wait if going in high season.

I will tell you what we did when our son's fiancée said she wanted to go to Versailles on our one week trip to Paris. I said I would not go--DS said--if she wants to go, we're going. I said fine. Let's play it by ear and you all can go later in the week. Came to be later in the week and in a "planning time" I mentioned "you all are going to Versailles in the next couple of days". When faced with that with what else everyone wanted to do they said "we don't have time!!!!" My suggestion is always to leave it as a possibility. Have the plans at hand for easy utilization.

My reaction was not unlike StCirq's or tuscanlifedit's: I found Versailles painfully and sadly ostentatious, and I wasn't overly fond of the long wait or crushing throngs of other visitors either. That said, I'm glad I saw it for the perspective that the palace itself, and the hameau, gave me. And I did like the gardens!

Do report back on your take on it!

I am glad you have decided to make the best of a decision already made for you. Your family must really want to go and I hope you will enjoy the experience. I have enjoyed my trips there and I hope you will, too.

I didn't really care if I went or not but my husband and family wanted me to go and I am so glad that I did. We took a guided tour from Paris and it was wonderful. She got us in easily and quickly and was very knowledgeable. We loved it and were so very glad we did go on the tour. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

to me the palace itself and its sadine city tour is 2nd bananas just to seeing this sprawling place so famous in history and the vast gardens and grounds. Go on weekends - at least some in summer for Les Grandes Eaux Musicales - when classical music is piped in and the zillions of fancy water fountains (not for drinking) perform a zany dance to the tunes - makes the place special - but those who just take the claustrophobic tour may be disappointed if that is all they do - but most will still have loved having seen it, travail and all.

It's like going to Manhattan and saying the Statue of Liberty is too crowded - don't go there - or in Paris Notre-Dame, always a mob scene - don't go there, etc.

Certain things have to be seen or at least most ordinary travelers want to see the highlights of each city, like them or not. But I understand that is not everyone's cup of tea.

http://www.chateauversailles-spectac...fountains-show

From official site details about the Musical Fountains Show in the Versailles gardens.

Honestly, I'm sure I'll love it. When I had a choice I was hemming and hawing about it, but now that I know I'm going, I fully intend to enjoy it. I'm a pretty easy-going tourist, really :)

I'm going to ask my dad for details of what the tour actually includes. Maybe we can bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the grounds afterwards?

Oh, and PalenQ: he booked our tour for a Saturday morning. I didn't know about the musical fountains, that sounds lovely!

I want to take my Mom and my husband when we go next year. I went in 1990 on a school trip and didn't get to see much. Is there anyway to avoid the most crowded times in late October? Is there a day of the week that is less crowded? Is it preferable to avoid crowds by seeing the garden first then the palace?

Any tips appreciated.

Be first in line in the morning or wait until mid-afternoon.

Prepay your tickets and get there on opening,,,,don't be ridiculous, this is a 'MUST see'...you are missing out!!! :)

The best thing about "must see" places is they thin the crowds for the rest of us at the places we prefer.

Late getting on here. You could focus on the grounds and the Petit Trianon as opposed to the palace, although the hall of mirrors is exquisite.

An alternative may be Vaux le Vicomte. This chateua was the inspiration for Versailles as Louis XIV was not going to be outdone by Nicholas Fouquet, his finance minister.

During the summer they have candlelight visits on Sat nights....might be a less crowded alternative.

I guess I'll decide if I've been ridiculous or not after I actually go.

I definitely want to see the inside of the palace if I'm going. I'm sure it's just gorgeous. I would imagine the tour my dad booked will cover all the basics. If it doesn't cover the grounds, then we'll have to take a look at those after :)

Is Marie Antoinette's little faux village still around, too?

Is Marie Antoinette's little faux village still around, too?>

Just all rehabbed to its bucolic glory!

https://www.google.com/search?q=hame...w=1455&bih=978

Great reading leading up to your trip would be Marie Antoinette by Antonia Fraser. Great info on why marie needed her hamlet to escape!

Go...it's really something worth doing for any Paris trip of that length.

...though, depending on your solidarity with the people, you might also feel a little bit of: Louis XVI and Marie A. deserved what they got. :-)

SS