"Mother of all palaces" Versailles by sswagner

Versailles is a subject that has been covered very well on this website. Like nearby Paris, it is well on the beaten path. Due to is grand attractiveness and history, it should be popular.

Unfortunately, that popularity carries a cost. Be prepared to encounter crowds and tour groups like you have never seen them before. Do you like to take pictures? Make sure you get software that allows you to crop people out of your photo. Yes, it is that crowded. My wife found it difficult to see at times since the people behind us were pushing us against the people ahead of us. Since she was not right at the rail inside, her ability to enjoy the palace was limited.

Alright, now that I have got that off my chest....

It can be a wonderful experience to see this place. If you are a history student like me, you could spend multiple days here. There is a very good chance that I will return off season to really get a chance to explore this place at my own pace.

The gardens offer plenty of room to explore, and the fountains are usually the favorites of those who go outside to take a look. By all means, come to Versailles. Just be sure to weigh the pros and cons of coming at certain times of the day or year.

• Pros:Extraordinary palace and gardens, very historic
• Cons:Extremely crowded during the peak seasons
• In a nutshell:This is one of the world's must sees, however plan very carefully