"My Castle is Bigger than Your Castle! " a Versailles Travel Page by ExGuyParis

Versailles simply overwhelms. There is an abundance of beauty in architecture, painting, marble, sculpture, water, plants. As Versailles is only about 20 minutes from our home, and as most of our guests want to see Versailles, I am there fairly often. Each season brings its surprises.

Versailles began its life as a hunting lodge, but grew to glorious grandness over several centuries. It served as home to the Sun King, Marie Antoinette, and Napoleon. It has served as palace for royalty, the seat for Parlaiment, and as a museum to the glories of France.

On the most recent visit, I decided to concentrate on small details... focusing my attention, for example, on a window latch rather than on the riot of visual treasures in an entire room. I also spent a lot of time staring straight up at the ceilings.

Practical info: The Chateau of Versailles is closed on Mondays. On the six other days of the week it is open April 1st through October 31st from 9h00 until 18h30, and November 1st through March 31st from 9h00 until 17h30. Last admission 30 minutes before the closing of the chateau.

There are a variety of tour options and prices. Visit the web site for tour and price info:

Versailles Prices

The Grand Trianon and Petit Trianon are open every day including Monday. From March 1st until October 31st, it is open from noon until 18h30 and from November 1st until March 31st from noon until 17h30.

Access to the chateau, the Grand Trianon and Petit Trianon is free on the first Sunday of each month (November to March).

The gardens are open every day from April 1st until October 31st from 9h00 until sunset, and from November 1st until March 31st from 8h00 until sunset. In the "high season" there is a 3 € admission fee.

The horse-drawn Coach Museum : open on Saturdays and Sundays. From April 1st to October 30th : 9h00to 18h30
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Parliament Musuem : open from Tuesday to Saturday, April 1st until October 31st, 9h00 until 18h30 ; and from November 1st until March 31st, from 9h00 until 17h30.

A work of art, clearly not purchased at Home Depot. I suspect that one of the roles at the Versailles court was "Royal Window Knob Polisher."

It is hard to imagine, but the public had liberal access to castle interior and the royalty. In fact, the poor king had to go to bed and wake up publically! The viewers lined up around the bed to observe the royal recline in the evening and the royal rising in the morning.