How to get from the Louvre to the Palace of Versailles
The Louvre Museum and the Palace of Versailles (Chateau de Versailles) sit 25 kilometres apart. Four transport options cover the trip in 40 minutes to one hour. The RER C line is the most direct route, though buses, taxis, and guided tours each suit different situations depending on your schedule and group size.
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Top attraction in Versailles
Discover the Palace of Versailles, the grandest royal residence in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site just outside Paris.
What are the quickest ways to travel from the Louvre to Versailles?
Four main transport options connect the Louvre Museum to the Palace of Versailles. Each suits a different type of traveler.
| Option | Approximate travel time | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| RER C train | 40–50 minutes (including walks) | Independent travelers who want the fastest public transport route |
| Bus (line 171) | 60–75 minutes (Metro + bus + walk) | Travelers who prefer to stay above ground and avoid RER transfers |
| Taxi or ride-hailing | 40–60 minutes (traffic-dependent) | Groups of 3–4, families with young children, or anyone with heavy luggage |
| Guided tour | Full day (both sites included) | First-time visitors who want skip-the-line access and expert commentary |
The RER C train is the most reliable choice. Traffic on the A13 motorway and the Peripherique ring road can push taxi journeys past an hour during morning and evening rush. See our how to get to Versailles Palace page for all transport options.
How to get from the Louvre to Versailles by RER C train
The RER C line runs to Versailles Chateau Rive Gauche station, the closest rail stop to the Palace.
Step 1. Walk to an RER C station. The closest RER C station to the Louvre is Musee d'Orsay, a 5–10 minute walk across the Seine via the Pont Royal or Pont du Carrousel. Saint-Michel Notre-Dame is 10 minutes southeast on the Left Bank. Invalides is further, around 25 minutes on foot. All three serve RER C trains toward Versailles, but Musee d'Orsay is the fastest option.
Step 2. Board a train toward Versailles Chateau Rive Gauche. On the platform, check the departure board for trains terminating at Versailles Chateau Rive Gauche. Not every RER C train goes to Versailles; some branch toward other destinations. The station code displayed on the board is "VICK." The ride takes 30–35 minutes from central Paris.
Step 3. Exit at Versailles Chateau Rive Gauche. This is the final stop on the Versailles branch. Step off the train and follow signs toward the Chateau.
Step 4. Walk to the Palace. Versailles Chateau Rive Gauche station is a 15-minute walk from the Palace gates. The route covers 1,089 metres along the Avenue de Paris, a wide boulevard that leads to the main entrance at Place d'Armes. The path climbs 14 metres in elevation over the last portion.
Allow 45–55 minutes total from the Louvre entrance to the Palace gates: 5–10 minutes walking to Musee d'Orsay station, 30–35 minutes on the train, and 15 minutes walking from Versailles station.
How to reach Versailles from the Louvre by bus
How to reach Versailles from the Louvre by bus
Bus line 171, operated by RATP, runs from Pont de Sevres to a stop near the Palace. This route keeps you above ground and avoids the underground RER system.
Step 1. Take the Metro to Pont de Sevres. From the Louvre, walk to Palais Royal-Musee du Louvre Metro station. Take line 1 direction La Defense and get off at Franklin D. Roosevelt. Transfer there to line 9 direction Pont de Sevres, and ride it to the terminus. The trip takes 30–35 minutes including the transfer.
Step 2. Transfer to Bus 171. At Pont de Sevres, exit the Metro and find the bus stops. Bus 171 departs toward Versailles. Transdev Ile-de-France Boucle des Lys runs line EX01 along a similar route.
Step 3. Ride to the Chateau de Versailles stop. The bus drops you at the Chateau de Versailles stop, a 10-minute walk from the Palace entrance. The walking route covers 684 metres with a 12-metre elevation gain.
This option takes 60–75 minutes door to door, longer than the RER C but above ground the whole way. It works for travelers who find the RER system confusing or prefer to see the city from street level.
Photo: “RATP Bus Line 171 Avenue Roger Salengro - Chaville” by Chabe01.
Can you take a taxi or Uber from the Louvre to Versailles?
A taxi or ride-hailing service (Uber, Bolt) picks you up at the Louvre and drops you at the Palace gates. The distance is 25 kilometres, and the journey takes 40–60 minutes in normal traffic.
During morning rush hours (7:30–9:30) and evening rush (17:00–19:00), congestion on the A13 motorway and the western exit roads from Paris can double the travel time. Midday and weekends move faster.
Taxi stands sit at the Louvre's Rue de Rivoli entrance and along the Quai des Tuileries. For ride-hailing, request your pickup at the Louvre Pyramide or Cour Napoleon drop-off zone. Check the Uber or Bolt app for current travel time estimates before deciding. If the app shows heavy traffic, the RER C train will get you there sooner.
This option makes the most sense for groups of 3–4 people sharing the ride, families traveling with strollers or small children, or anyone arriving with luggage they want to keep with them rather than store in left luggage.
Is a guided tour from the Louvre to Versailles worth it?
Tour operators run combined Louvre and Versailles day trips that handle all transport between the two sites. These tours include skip-the-line entry at both venues, a professional guide, and air-conditioned coach or minivan transport.
A guided tour handles RER logistics and time planning at each site. The guide structures the visit so you see the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo at the Louvre, the Hall of Mirrors and State Apartments at Versailles, without wasting time in queues or figuring out which rooms to prioritize.
The trade-off is flexibility. Guided tours follow a fixed schedule, which means less time to wander the Palace gardens or revisit a gallery that caught your attention. If you prefer to set your own pace, public transport lets you control your itinerary. Browse Versailles Palace tickets to find the option that matches your visit style.
How long is the walk from Versailles station to the Palace?
The walk from Versailles Chateau Rive Gauche station to the Palace of Versailles takes 15 minutes and covers 1,089 metres. The route gains 14 metres in elevation, trending uphill.
Exit the station and turn right onto Rue des Etats Generaux, which leads into the wide Avenue de Paris. This tree-lined boulevard runs straight toward the Palace. After 800 metres, you see the golden gates and the Place d'Armes courtyard. The main visitor entrance is on the right side of the Royal Courtyard.
The path is paved and flat for the first two-thirds. It rises in the final stretch. Travelers with reduced mobility should note the incline. Check the map and entrances page for entrance locations and accessibility details.
A closer bus stop called "Chateau" sits 109 metres from the Palace, a 2-minute walk. If you arrive by bus rather than train, you skip most of this walking distance.
Can you visit the Louvre and Versailles in the same day?
Yes, but it requires early starts and focused visits at both sites. The Palace of Versailles is open Tuesday through Sunday from 09:00 to 18:30, and the Louvre opens at 09:00 every day except Tuesday. Versailles is closed on Mondays.
A realistic schedule for a combined day:
08:30. Arrive at the Louvre. Enter as close to opening as possible. Spend 2–2.5 hours on a focused visit covering the works you want to see. Trying to see the entire museum in one morning is not realistic. Pick 2–3 priority galleries in advance.
11:00. Leave the Louvre and head to the RER C. Walk to Musee d'Orsay station across the Seine. Board a train toward Versailles Chateau Rive Gauche.
12:00. Arrive at Versailles. After the 15-minute walk from the station, you reach the Palace entrance around 12:15. That leaves 6 hours before the Palace closes at 18:30.
12:30–17:30. Explore Versailles. Start with the State Apartments and the Hall of Mirrors while they are less crowded after the morning rush. Then head outside to the gardens, which stay open until 20:30. The Estate of Trianon (Grand Trianon, Petit Trianon, Queen's Hamlet) opens at 12:00 and draws fewer visitors than the main Palace.
Avoid scheduling this combined day on a Tuesday. The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays, and Versailles is open but at its busiest, with peak crowds around 12:00. Wednesday through Friday give you both sites open with smaller crowds.
See our best time to visit Versailles page for day-by-day breakdowns. Versailles opening hours may change on French public holidays, so check before you go.
Tips for traveling from the Louvre to Versailles
- Monday is off-limits for Versailles. The Palace, the Estate of Trianon, and the Royal Tennis Court are all closed. The gardens and park remain open daily from 07:00 to 20:30, but Palace access is the main draw.
- Tuesday is Versailles' busiest day. The Louvre closes on Tuesdays, so many tourists go to Versailles instead. Crowds peak around midday. If you must go on a Tuesday, arrive before 10:00 or after 14:00.
- Check French public holidays. Versailles closes on 1 January, 1 May, and 25 December. Bastille Day (14 July) and Assumption Day (15 August) may have modified hours or larger crowds.
- Download the Palace of Versailles app. The free official app includes real-time opening times, audio tours in 12 languages, and an interactive estate map. Pick up the audioguide at the Vestibule of Gabriel's Pavilion if you prefer a physical device.
- Leave large bags behind. Security screening is mandatory at the entrance, and bags exceeding 55 x 35 x 25 cm are prohibited. The Palace entrance has free left-luggage facilities, but they do not accept valuables or clothing.
- Allow time for the gardens. The Versailles fountains run on specific Musical Fountains Show days between April and October. If the fountains are active during your visit, budget at least an extra hour for the gardens.
- Driving is an option but parking is limited. If you arrive by car, the Place d'Armes car park is the closest lot. See our parking page for locations and accessibility.