The Palace of Versailles is easily one of the most romantic and spectacular places to visit in France. But there are a few things that travel gurus wish they knew during their first visit. Avoid the following mistakes that rookies make at Versailles and you’ll be sure to have the experience of a lifetime!
Visiting At The Wrong Time
Versailles is one of those wonderful places in France that you must visit before you die, but there are better times to go than others. Only closed on Mondays, the palace is open every other day of the year except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Visiting during different seasons comes with different pros and cons.
Summer is the most spectacular time to visit because the flowers in the garden are in bloom, the fountains are illuminated, the weather is sunny, and there are sometimes fireworks show in the gardens. However, summer is also the busiest time to visit. On the other hand, the autumn months might not be as popular but you also won’t get to see the best of the gardens or the fireworks show. Seasoned travelers will tell you that the best time is between April and June when the weather is mild and the crowds are fewer.
Not Buying Tickets In Advance
Regardless of when you visit Versailles, it’s always wise to buy tickets in advance online. It’s much easier to turn Versailles into a fun day trip from Paris rather than a grueling one if you don’t have to spend hours lining up. That said, just buying a ticket in advance won’t automatically allow you to skip the line. The trick is to buy your ticket with fixed access time. This will allow you to enter a different queue which is much quicker.
The entrance times at the palace are 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, and 15:00. Make sure you arrive in time for your fixed time after buying your ticket in advance and you’ll avoid the extensive lines.
Forgetting To Pack Water And Snacks
There are places to eat at the palace, including Gordon Ramsay’s high-end restaurant Au Trianon. But if you are trying to cut costs, the best thing to do is pack your own snacks. The designated picnic areas are beside the Lake of the Swiss Guard and Saint Anthony Plain. Remember that visiting Versailles is a long day and you won’t be able to get through it without water and snacks!
Having a picnic on the grounds isn’t only a more economical decision. There’s something magical about bringing your own food and having a rustic meal as you overlook the palace.
Wearing Uncomfortable Shoes
One of the tips and tricks for visiting Versailles is understanding just how extensive the grounds are. The palace has 700 rooms and the capacity to hold 20,000 people. While not all those spaces are open, you can still expect to do a lot of walking during the day. This is why it’s important to wear comfortable shoes. There’s nothing worse than having your day ruined by sore feet!
When exploring the gardens, you’ll be outside with little shelter, so it’s even more important to wear durable shoes. If the weather is rainy, you might want to consider wearing shoes that are waterproof.
Buying A One-Way Train Ticket To Get There
A huge mistake that many rookies make when planning a day-trip to Versailles from Paris is only booking a one-way train fare. You’ll need a ticket to take the train back to Paris, and if you leave it until the end of the day to purchase one, you’ll end up lining up with hordes of other tourists after the same thing.
You can save yourself time and stress by purchasing a return ticket from the beginning. That way, after a long day exploring the grounds, you can simply hop on the train and enjoy the ride back to Paris without having to face more lines.