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Versailles- tips
1) What is the best day to visit Versailles
2) How best to get there 3) Cost of tickets to get in 4) Other tips. Our hotel is near the Lourve |
Hi
My wife and I went there last year on our Paris trip. Maybe you can find some useful info in my trip report with pictures and links on my homepage http://gardkarlsen.com/Paris_France.htm :d Regards Gard http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures |
From Louvre stroll over to Orsay Museum across Seine and hop on RER line C - take it to the end of the line a few blocks from the palace. buy a combined transport ticket with admission to palace at RER station. Be sure to look at overhead signs on platform at RER station as only some of the trains go to Versailles, which should be lit on the overhead sign. Keep your ticket to get out of the system thru automatic gates.
weekends are crowded but that is also when the wonderful (to me) fountains are playing to the tune of classical music. closed Mon, pent up demand on Tue, day when Louvre is closed - a theory anyway. www.chateaudeversailles.fr |
You want RER C5 - the branch of RER C that ends near the palace - station: Versailles Rive Gauche - should be illuminated on overhead sign and Musee d'Orsay RER station.
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And i'd investigate the efficacy of a Paris Museum pass, discussed much on Fodor's (Carte Musees) as it covers Versailles plus Louvre, Orsay and many lesser museums. Believe it avoids a wait in ticket lines as well.
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I would get there as early as possible to avoid waiting in line. Tour the inside first, then as crowds build head out to the gardens.
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I believe that you should get there far before they open and walk the grounds first. On a given weekend there may be as many as 100 tour buses, so the earlier the better. Here's the official link.
http://www.chateauversailles.fr/en/ There are at least 2 train stations and a bus / metro link to Versailles. I like the bus option, it seemed the easiest of the 3 that I've taken. Decide ahead of time what tour(s) you want to go on. |
why would metro then changing to a bus be more convenient than RER C, much quicker, straight to within a few blocks of the palace. The bus cannot stop much closer? Just curious as you've recommended this before and i must be missing something.
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Look into the <i>Forfait Loisirs</i> sold at SNCF stations. Here's the link:
http://www.transilien.com/web/site/a...ailles/lang/en |
We will buy the Musuem Pass so in going to Versailles- can I use one ticket from my Carnet one way to Versailles on the RER?
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Robes beat me to it - definitely look into the forfait loisir. It is essentially a "package deal" that gets you round trip transport plus admission, plus headphones for the self guided audio tour (which is pretty well done). The page referenced by Robes is only in French; the gist:
buy at the Transilien booth at a train station. [Note that this is different than the main ticket windows - it is a separate booth. We got ours at gare du Nord. Simple - just ask for "for-fay lwaz-eer pour Vair-sigh" indicating which day you want] Includes a nifty little plastic souvenir wallet that holds tickets for RT on Metro/RER or SNCF Transilien trains, plus tickets for access to various parts. That's really the big advantage - no waiting in line to buy tickets for the various parts of the chateau and park. As to day of the week to visit - depends. There are usually more crowds on weekend days when the Grandes Eaux Musicales (fountain shows synchronized to music) is on. You may have to wait a few minutes for the motorized tram that takes you around the park. You can also skip that and walk (be sure you are wearing comfortable shoes - even when using the tram there is a good bit of walking. Sunscreen and cap are also a good idea, and if anyone in your party is sun shy, even a parasol (you will see other folks using them, don't feel like a geek if you do.) If your schedule allows, you can make a day of it and have a picnic lunch on the grounds. There are also food vendors in the park area below the chateau. http://www.chateauversailles.fr/en/ |
buy the package from SNCF at the ticket window including transport and admission like above posters say. No you cannot use a carnet ticket because the RER outside of central Paris has fares depending on distances - carnets can only be used on RER trains inside the confines of the Paris metro network - i.e. just like a metro ride but not to Versailles.
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We are buying the Museum Pass so that should cover admission to Versailles- so what is the cost of a round trip ticket to versailles on the RER and are there station agents in the Museum Orsay RER station that speak a little English and that I can buy our tickets from?
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Transilien ticket prices are here:http://www.transilien.com/web/site/a...et-abonnements
Versailles is 2,70€ each way. Ask the ticket agent for Versailles aller-retour, s'il vous plaît. <i>vair sigh ahl-ay retoor seel voo play</i> |
PalenQ,
I like the trips through the neighborhoods, watching the folks on and off the bus. Seein what the Paris suburbs are like. It's just a bit more relaxing for me. Once at Versaille I'll usually walk out the the little farm where the queen played farm maiden. No one is around except workers early in the morning, so it is very tranquil. |
need cost info on RER train ticket.
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Sorry - I see it above, thanks!
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rasta - i can appreciate that a lot!
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ttt
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Bookmarking...thanks
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