Versailles Palace Tickets
Versailles Palace tickets grant access to the main palace, gardens, Trianon estates, and Marie Antoinette's private retreat through a timed entry system. The ticket includes admission to the State Apartments, Hall of Mirrors, and temporary exhibitions across the royal complex.
Types of Tickets to Visit the Versailles Palace
What can you see with your Versailles Palace ticket?
Versailles Palace tickets grant access to the State Apartments, the Hall of Mirrors, and the Royal Chapel, alongside the expansive Gardens and the Trianon Estate. Visitors can explore the decorated ceremonial rooms, admire period furniture, and experience the grandeur of French court life.
Hall of Mirrors
The Hall of Mirrors is a grand gallery measuring 73 meters long, 10.5 meters wide, and 12.3 meters high. Designed by Jules Hardouin-Mansart between 1678 and 1684, it connects the King's and Queen's State Apartments. The hall features 357 mirrors arranged in 17 arched panels opposite 17 windows overlooking the gardens.
The ceiling is adorned with 30 paintings by Charles Le Brun depicting events from Louis XIV's reign. Gilded bronze capitals, marble pilasters, and crystal chandeliers enhance the opulence of this reception space where ambassadors presented their credentials.
What should you know before visiting the Versailles Palace?
Visitors to Versailles Palace should consider these details before arriving:
- Historical origin: The estate transformed from a simple hunting lodge into a seat of power in 1682 when Louis XIV officially moved the French court and government there.
- Treaty of Versailles: The Hall of Mirrors hosted the signing of the 1919 peace treaty, which officially ended World War I between the Allied powers and Germany.
- UNESCO World Heritage Site: The Palace and Park of Versailles hold prestigious international recognition for their cultural and historical significance. UNESCO designated the area as a World Heritage site in 1979 to preserve this model of 17th-century European architecture and landscape design.
- Security screening is mandatory upon entry, which may cause delays during peak seasons. Arriving early in the morning or later in the afternoon helps minimize wait times.
- Large bags exceeding 55x40x20 cm are not permitted inside the palace. A luggage storage service is available near the entrance for oversized items.
- Comfortable walking shoes are essential, as the visit involves exploring multiple buildings, long galleries, and extensive gardens. The complex covers approximately 800 hectares.
- Photography without flash is allowed in most palace rooms, but tripods and selfie sticks are prohibited inside the buildings.
- Weather-appropriate clothing is necessary for visiting the gardens and outlying structures like the Grand Trianon and Queen's Hamlet, which require outdoor walking between locations.
- The palace maintains strict visitor flow through certain rooms, particularly the Hall of Mirrors. Stopping for extended periods may not be possible in crowded areas.
- The Royal Opera and Royal Chapel host occasional concerts and performances. These events require separate reservations and may affect regular visiting hours in those sections.
- Food and beverages are not permitted inside the palace buildings. Designated picnic areas and restaurants are located within the estate grounds.
- Winter visits offer fewer crowds but some fountains and water features remain inactive during colder months.
- The average complete visit lasts 3 to 4 hours, though exploring the entire complex thoroughly may require a full day.
Plan your visit in advance
Online reservation of tickets to the Palace of Versailles eliminates queues at the entrance and ensures access to the complex:
Opening hours
The Palace of Versailles opens to the public from Tuesday to Sunday, maintaining different seasonal schedules throughout the year:
- During the low season, from November 1st to March 31st, the Palace operates from 9:00 to 17:30, with the ticket office closing at 16:30 and last admission at 16:45.
- From April 1st to October 31st, the high season extension moves the closing time to 18:30, with the ticket office shutting at 17:40 and final entry permitted until 17:45.
Other areas within the estate, such as the Trianon Estate, the Gardens, and the Park, function under separate operational hours.
