The Palace of Versailles is the former royal residence of the French court, 17 km west of central Paris in the city of Versailles. The estate includes the palace, the Gardens, the Park, and the Trianon estates. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Galerie des Glaces is the palace's ceremonial spine. Timed palace tickets are sold on the official chateauversailles.fr site.
Le Notre's gardens are a separate access from the palace on some tickets. Fountain shows run on selected days; check the official calendar.
The Trianon estates sit further into the park. They need extra time (and often a different ticket combination) beyond the main palace rooms.
The palace is closed on Mondays. Ticket types (palace only, passport, gardens) change with the season. Confirm on chateauversailles.fr.
Versailles was built as a statement of court power. The rooms, gardens, and park are designed as one composition.
Palace plus gardens plus Trianon is a full day. If you only have a morning, choose either the palace or the gardens.
RER C to Versailles Chateau Rive Gauche is the usual route. Walk from the station to the Place d'Armes.
Is Versailles closed on Monday?
The palace interiors are closed Mondays. The gardens may still be open. Confirm both on the official site.
How do I get there from Paris?
The usual route is RER C to Versailles Chateau Rive Gauche, then a short walk to Place d'Armes.
Do the gardens need a ticket?
Access rules change with fountain-show days and season. Check the current ticket page rather than assuming the park is always free.
Can I see everything in two hours?
The State Apartments alone take longer than that when it is busy. Plan a half day at minimum.
Louis XIV moved the seat of French government to Versailles in the late 17th century. The palace, gardens, and park were laid out as a single royal landscape, later used by Louis XV and Louis XVI until the Revolution.
Today the estate is managed as a museum and park. Ticket combinations (palace, gardens, Trianon, passport) are listed on the official website and are the only reliable source for prices and timed entry.
