Castles · Tour
Versailles On-Site Guided Tour, with the Royal Bedchambers
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VersaillesThis tour starts at Versailles rather than in Paris, which suits anyone already staying nearby or arriving under their own steam. Full day or half day, with a local guide. The detail that makes the visit stick is the etiquette. The king and queen went to bed and got up each morning in front of an audience, in the bedchambers you walk through, and the court had a ceremony for the king putting on and taking off his hunting boots. Once you know that, the rooms stop being furniture and start being a machine for watching people. The route covers the State Apartments and the Hall of Mirrors, with the daily life, the ceremonies and the scandals of the court, the glory Louis XIV built the place to broadcast, and the fall of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette in the Revolution. The gardens follow: once the setting for balls, parties and firework displays, and meant as proof of the king's power over nature. There are hidden groves to find, and on fountain show days the waterworks run to the same precise schedule they always did, with the guide making sure you are in the right place when they start. Meet at the statue of Louis XIV on horseback, on the esplanade directly in front of the palace. Do not go through the security check. The coordinator arrives at the statue with the guests coming from Paris, wearing an orange cap and badge.
What's included
- Step into history as your guide brings the grandeur of Versailles and its royals to life.
- Stroll through the stunning, perfectly manicured gardens of this iconic palace with your guide.
- Enjoy a fully guided tour of the Palace and Gardens of Versailles with an expert local guide
- Marvel at the dazzling Hall of Mirrors and opulent State Apartments.
Itinerary
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Versailles
Meet at the statue of Louis XIV on horseback, on the esplanade directly in front of the Palace of Versailles. Do not pass the security check. The coordinator will come to the statue to meet you along with the guests arriving from Paris, wearing an orange cap and an orange badge.
Palace of Versailles
Meet your guide at Versailles and follow the kings and queens of France. Under Louis XIV, the Sun King, this was the place to be seen, and visitors still come from everywhere to see what he built. A local guide brings back the people who lived here. The route takes in the Hall of Mirrors and the royal bedrooms, where the king and queen went to bed and got up each day in front of a large audience. You hear how the court worked, including the ceremony for the king putting on and taking off his hunting boots, what the palace was meant to say about the Sun King's glory, and how Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette came to lose it all in the Revolution.
La Galerie des Glaces
Through the Hall of Mirrors, as the kings, queens and courtiers walked it, with the daily life, the ceremonies and the scandals of the court explained as you go.
Jardins du Chateau de Versailles
After the state apartments, your guide leads you into the gardens, once the setting for balls, parties and firework displays, and built as a symbol of the king's power over nature. There are hidden groves to find, and on fountain show days the waterworks run as they did under the kings and queens. The fountains keep to a precise schedule, and your guide will have you in the right spot at the right time.
Place d'Armes, Versailles
The tour ends at the palace.
Not included
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup/drop off
- Transportation to/from Versailles
Good to know
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- From 1 April to 31 October, the gardens of the Palace feature special Musical and Fountain Shows. Fountain Shows take place on Saturdays and Sundays, as well as on Tuesdays in May and June and on national holidays. Please note that the fountains operate according to a set schedule — they do not run continuously throughout the day. On the other days of the week during this period, the gardens host the Musical Gardens, where music is played throughout the groves.
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- This tour involves a considerable amount of walking. Please ensure you wear comfortable shoes. Please note, this tour in Versailles is not wheelchair accessible.
- You can cancel your tour up to 24 hours prior to departure and receive a full refund. Please note that refunds are not possible for missed tours.
- If you plan to arrive at the meeting point by taxi, please ensure you leave yourselves plenty of time, it can often take a considerable amount of time to find a taxi in Paris!
- Infants aged 0-3 years are free of charge and do not require a booking.
- Please note the full day tour requires a lot of walking. The tour is paced to be comfortable but you will need to be able to walk throughout the whole day.
- Up to 15 travelers per booking.
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Guiding available in: en.
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