We will be traveling through the Loire and ending up in Paris. We will certainly see several Chateaus in the Loire. We will end our trip in Paris, arriving on a Wed. morning, flying out on Saturday morning. We are getting conflicting advice about taking 1/2 day of three in Paris to see Versailles. Any insight?

Suer you should see it. You don't say what time of year you are doing this, but assuming summer then the gardens will be in top form, all the fountains will be on, and it is neat to see the grounds. The interior is OK too. Catch a early morning RER to Versailles, do the palace, and head back to the city for lunch. Even if your visit is off-season it is still worthwhile.

if you've never been to paris, skip versailles.

I would spend the time in Paris and save Versailles next time. It is great to see, but missing it is not like going to Beijing without seeing the Great Wall. In other words, you would regret not having the time to really see Paris a lot more than not seeing Versailles. I would give you this advice anyway, but especially considering the time you will spend in the Loire.

You know a lot of it depends upon how relevant Versailles and that period of history is to you. I am mad for Marie Antoinette history and French Revolution history in general so it was a must see to view the balcony where Marie Antoinette stood before she was hauled off by the mob. I mean I got chills, but if you don't have a specific interest in Louis 14th or Louis 16 , then Versailles might be better saved for your next trip.

You will already be seeing Chateaus in the Loire, so don't bother with Versailles--this time. Next time, it's a must see. <BR> <BR>In the Loire, if you like to garden, don't miss Villandry. The castle itself is nothing big but the gardens are astounding. <BR> <BR>Have a great trip!

I agree that a visit to Versailles depends on how much you already know about the place. I majored in European diplomatic history as an undergraudate. <BR>Because so many important historical events are directly associated with Versailles and I was curious to see first hand what the place looked like. <BR>On the other hand, if it is just another big residence building in a long line of big buildings, I would say spend the time inside the highway that rings Paris.

We loved Versailles, but then we had 3 full days in Paris, too. Didn't regret taking 1 out of 4 to go. I have kids, ages 9 & 13. They enjoyed all of the gold and ornate decorations and the gardens, particularly the hamlet. Note: the line to the apartments was more than an hour long, but we found, by asking at information, that we could stand in line for the king's chambers (much shorter line on the left as you face the chateau) and buy apartment tickets there (combined with King's chamber tickets)and then go in a side door. We actually never made it to the grand apartments because my kids had had enough with the King's chambers and wanted to hit the garden, so I don't know what we missed.

If you never have been to Paris, don't miss a second going another place, including Versailles. We were last July there and take half a day to go to Versailles, instead of staying in Paris. Ok, it's very beautiful, but if you have never been to Paris, you will do better if you just stay walking, seeing the city, going to a museum, and so on. Save Versailles to another trip, when you already have been to Paris, because 3 days in Paris is a very, very short time to see just the "must see". Paris is a fabulous city and you will regret every missed second. Hope this helps! <BR> <BR>Débora

You will have seen nothing in the Loire that comes close to Versailles. <BR> <BR>Despite that I'd recommend not going ... this trip. <BR> <BR>1. I recommend a full day. <BR> <BR>2. Your time in Paris is too short to afford a half day or full day for Versailles ... at least for most visitors. It obviously depends on your priorities and interests. <BR> <BR>twenj

I agree with some of the others. It depends upon how the history of the place affects you. My first trip to Paris I had only 3 days, but took a 1/2 day trip to Versailles, & to me it was definetly worth it. I have been back to Paris 3 more times & have still gone to Versailles each of those trips. The palace is continually under going refurbishment & new areas are being open up to the public. The general tours of the palace are good - which is included in the entrance fee (also, this entrance fee is included as part of a Carte Musee pass), but there are some specialized tours that cost extra but are really worth it - such as the Marie Antoinette tour. If you get cought up in the history (& the size of the grounds & palace) it is definitely worth it.

JohnB - <BR> <BR>I agree very much with Thyra. It does depend on what you like but I would probably lean towards saying go for it. <BR> <BR>What you may want to do is spend the first two days doing things in the city and then, if after seeing a few things in Paris, you feel like taking the first train out on Friday morning, go for it. <BR> <BR>Sometimes people say you need a whole day for Versailles and I just don't think it's true. If you want to get a glimpse (it is pretty amazing) you can take one of the earlier trains out and get there before they open (and before all the big tour buses show up), walk through the inside, see the garden area just behind the palace and be back in Paris for a late lunch. We've done this twice; it's very doable. You'd still have the afternoon and evening of Friday to spend in Paris before you leave. <BR> <BR>Another unrelated thing; on your last night, you might like to view the sunset from the Pont Alexander III bridge. The bridge itself is a work of art and it's very magical watching the sun set, the bridge lamps come on and the Eiffel Tower light up in the near distance. Very cool. <BR> <BR>Good Luck. <BR> <BR>Lynn <BR> <BR

I think Lynn gave the best advice. Go to Paris first, and if you then feel like taking time to go to Versailles, do it. It doesn't take long to get there. The gardens open at dawn, so you can walk around outside before the chateau opens and all the lines form - a very pleasant way of doing it. Then you can be one of the first ones in line and save a lot of time. How long it takes, depends on your interests. We were there from an hour before opening until about 2:00, took one self-guided tour and one guided one, had lunch out by the pool, and spent maybe 1 1/2 hours wandering around the gardens. If you tried to see the Trianons and/or more of the gardens, you could easily use most of the day. If you only want to see the exterior and the most significant parts of the interior, you may be able to get by with 3-4 hours.

YES, see Versailles. After saying that ... let me add ... take the train, not some chartered bus group. Go early. If you aren't that interested in seeing the inside of the palace, skip the inside, walk around the gardens and grounds ... see the Gran Trianon and Petite Trianon. Sometimes they even have bicycle rentals available, and if there is that option ... in the gardens behind the palace ... try it if it appeals ... we loved it. Joggers and bikers use the park grounds around the palace and joining them makes you feel ... oh, so ... French ... instead of always the tourist. THEN, when you walk back to the train station, stop for late lunch at either the Mexican restaurant next to the train station, or the pizza place in the strip mall ... there is a great patisserie in that mall, too.

Whether you decide to see Versailles now or later, my advice is to read just a little about French aristocracy, (it's fascinating), and a sign up for a guided tour of Versailles before leaving USA, if possible. The tours cost $, but it's worth it - no standing in in line for hours, and a good guide makes all the difference.

If you enjoy being pushed from side to side in a sea of of smelly tourists, all being herded from room to room with the hope that they will have a few seconds to catch a glimpse of something interesting, then YES... go to Versailles. It was, by far, the most "tourist-y" place I've ever been.

Wow--Thanks for all of the insight. For whoever asked, we will be in France May 20-30, husband/wife, 35 yrs old, wife has never been to Paris. We have no unusual interest in the period or in history. <BR> <BR>John B

I just returned from Paris this week. We spent the better part of a day at Versailles. It's not worth the time. Everything was run down and crowded. Everything was covered with dust. You wait in a long line just to be herded through a few rooms that are in a shambles. There's two bathrooms with even longer lines. <BR> <BR>If you must go, take a guided tour, which gets you into everything without waiting in line. Or, just walk through the gardens (free). You're not missing a thing by going inside unless you're extremely interested in this piece of history, as others above have suggested. <BR> <BR>Stay in Paris which is wonderful and has something new to discover down every street. <BR> <BR>The only thing worse than Versailles is the horrible restaurants around it. Sorry to sound so bitter, but it was a complete waste of a precious day in France.

John: <BR> <BR>If you have no unusual interest in the period, and your wife has never been in Paris, then I would most definitely skip Versailles. Spend more time at the Louvre, or visit d'Orsay, or Les Invalides, or spend that half day in Montmartre.

John - <BR> <BR>I still say go for a long morning on Friday and be back in the city by 2-3. The key is to go early, otherwise it will be a huge sea of tourist bodies but it doesn't have to be. <BR> <BR>I must say, I get a kick every time I see Versailles in the movies or on the news or the travel channel or something. I remember after getting back from my first trip to Paris and a few weeks later FoodTV was showing a special filmed at Versailles. That was a real hoot to see the Hall of Mirrors and all the rest where we had just been walking a couple of weeks before. <BR> <BR>Also, when you go to the Louvre (assuming you are), enter from the underside via the Metro. We have found that to be much easier with almost no waiting if you already have your museum pass. I think you can get a 2-day pass. Ask around on the board. I haven't been to Paris since 1999 so I'm not sure. We had a 5-day. <BR> <BR>Good luck on whatever you decide. <BR> <BR>Lynn <BR> <BR