I will be in Paris May 5 to May 15. I would like to visit Versailles but am unsure as to which day to go. Sunday has the fountains, Wednesday or Thursday would be less crowded. Any suggestions?
Also would it be better to buy the museum book, a day pass or just go to Versailles and buy tickets there? I plan to see a max of one or two museums a day so the pass may not be worth it. Thank you for your suggestions.

Sunday, hands down. Get a forfait loisir from the train company SNCF. Includes transportation and entrance fees.

InMiami,

I will be in Paris from May 12-17. I appreciate this post and will follow it.

ttt for other opinions

Despite of the interest of the fountain show, which brings a lot of people to the chateau, I think it's preferable to be there during the week when the place is comparatively less crowded.

Besides, there will be one big week end during your stay (the 8th of May, which is a national holiday, falls on a Monday this year).

Versailles is closed on Mondays, but maybe I would avoid Tuesdays when some Paris museums, like the Louvre, are closed, which makes visitors to choose Versailles instead.

If you have an interest for the history of the place, an entire day can be spent at Versailles, were many outdoor activities are also available (cycling, boating, carriage rides, outdoor dining). For a more complete view of the chateau, do not limit yourself to the visit of the State apartments, if possible, which were not actually lived in by the royalty. Also bear in bear in mind that half of the hall of mirrors is currently hidden by scaffoldings due to restoration work.

Try to be there early in the morning, or alternatively one hour before closing time in the afternoon, when the tour groups are gone. If you are there on a sunny day, a walk in the nearly-empty gardens in the late afternoon and early evening light is magical!

You can also check out the chateau website www.chateauversailles.fr (English version available).

A combined train ride and entrance ticket can be purchased at the RER stations.

ttt

Try to go a week day - and when you check the website, if you book in advance make sure you book the 'private apartments' tour. It takes in all the main tour rooms but adds on others including an exquisite private opera house. When you go through the gates, the main tour is to the right, the other to the left - or was last time I was there!

I went on a Sunday last June because of the fountain show. The place was absolutely mobbed and the show did not impress me. Actually, Versailles didn't impress me at all but after several previous visits to Paris I felt sort of obliged to see it. My time would have been better spent had I skipped it and stayed the afternoon in Paris.

Wednesday or Thursday. Try to arrive as soon as they open.

so the Fountains arent worth scheduling a visit when they are running? I am going to Paris the last week in April and thought about going on Saturday when the Fountain Show will be. Are crowds really going to be that cumbersome in late April?
Thanks (and sorry for jumping into your post InMiami)

YES -- Go when the fountains are on! They're the best part if you ask me.

Do a little research about them before you go, because they are fascinating the way they work.

Thank you for your many experienced suggetions. I still have time to decide if I want to avoid the crowds or see the fountains!
It sounds like the private apartments tour would be best. I have seen pictures of the private opera house and wondered if I would be able to see it.
Where would I buy tickets to this extended tour? I prefer to wait until I reach Paris to avoid a rainy day. Also, where could I rent a bike? Again, thank you for your help with my trip.

When the fountains are on! We loved this! We visited at end of August, and it was no so crowded..

Would like opininons on going to Versailles on Saturday. Everybody talks about the fountains on Sunday but I've read that they're on Saturdays as well. This would be in September. This may be a stupid question but are the fountains completely turned off on weekdays?

Never go on Tuesday. On Tuesday, only Versailles and the Orsay are open, so every 'museum' tourist falls back on one or the other that day.

T Elizacat :

There should be fountains shows on Saturdays and Sundays in September, according to the Chateau calendar of events http://www.chateauversailles-spectac...arit_total.php (check out for "grandes eaux musicales" (fountain show with recorded music).

Many questions on this thread can find answers on the Chateau of Versailles web side www.chateauversailles.fr which has an English version.