Ah, Paris, it’s most girl’s dream destination and for good reason; one of the most romantic places in the world. If you love fashion, history, romance and amazing food then Paris is an obvious travel destination for you. Year after year Paris comes up as the most travelled to destination and if you are planning on visiting Paris then you should be sure to visit Versailles. Paris is so much more than the Eiffel tower and the Palace of Versailles or as the French call it – Château de Versailles – is a great way to see this.
What’s the Palace of Versailles?
Château de Versailles is a very important place in French history. Versailles is a wealthy suburb of Paris, some 20 km from the centre. Traditionally Versailles was a country town, but for over 100 years the palace of Versailles was the centre of France’s political power. But in the middle of the 17th century during Louis XIV’s reign, this palace is absolutely grand and has some beautifully manicured gardens that are worth the trip alone for.
At present there is a €400 million restoration program underway to update and restore the palace to its former glory. In saying that, it is still perhaps one of the most beautiful buildings in France and with such a rich history is an essential place to visit on any trip to Paris.
How to See the Palace of Versailles
It is possible to visit the Palace of versailles independently, by either taking public transport, a taxi or driving to the property yourself. However, due to the rich history and the size of the palace I would personally suggest that you consider taking a VIP tour of Versailles so you don’t miss out on any of the important rooms and get a full run down on all the important parts of history that took place here. In addition, when you take a VIP tour, you’ll get special access to areas that are closed off to the general public. I feel if you’re going to visit the palace, why not do it properly? It’s also nice to be able to enjoy some of the spaces without the crowds who are often present in the main areas of the palace.
I suggest that you plan to spend the entire day in the grounds and palace. You should also make some time to visit Marie Antoinette’s private home. Marie Antoinette was Queen of France and Navarre from 1774 to 1792. Considered very beautiful and charming, she held the French’s affection for some time before eventually being resented. She is considered to be an important part of French history and her home is absolutely stunning and a unique insight into French history.
No matter the time of year, a trip to visit the Palace of Versailles is essential. Don’t forget to take your camera!
I’ve been to Versailles twice and I am gearing up for my 3rd visit! It’s absolutely incredible and there is really no need for a guide- you can do it all yourself. Although this next time around, with 3 little ones in tow, I doubt i’ll be exploring the palace the same way I did in the past.
It will be such a different experience with three little ones, but how cool that you can see it through their eyes. I hope you have a lovely trip 🙂
It s good to hear that someone enjoys Versailles. When I was there during 2011 summer, i didn’t enjoy because of the crazy crowd. Or the first rules to enjoy Versailles is not to go during summer?
I think that’s the truth for many places. I’ve just come from Santorini, Greece at the VERY beginning of the tourist season and many parts were crowded. I can’t imagine how bad it is in a few months.