VISITING THE PALACE OF VERSAILLES
Hall of Mirrors
WHAT IS VERSAILLES?
Versailles Palace was the former home to King Louis XIII. It was built to represent the King’s “Royal Opulence”. The palace is an immense, extravagant complex surrounded by stylized French and English gardens. Every detail of its construction was intended to glorify the king; golden gates, marble floors, and grand halls and galleries. The Palace was designed by renowned architects, interior designers, and landscape artists. Today it is a national landmark representing the French Monarchy.
GETTING THERE
VERSAILLES is located almost an hour outside of Paris. It was about a 45 minute UBER ride from our hotel. I recommend getting to the palace early at least 30 min before opening. The lines can be brutal. Other transportation options include private cars for day trip tours, bus charters or train. Uber being the most popular choice at 90 euros each way.
ENTRY
We paid 27 euros for Passport Tickets which include access to all areas of the Palace. Guests under 18 are free. Tickets are based on timed entry. We arrived at 9:45am although our tickets were for 11:30am entry. You are welcome to explore the gardens, fountains and the restaurants before your entry time. They have a large room with lockers and bathrooms before you enter the grounds in case you need to store anything.
Proof of vaccination required to enter.
THE GARDENS (LES JARDINS)
The Orangery Garden
The Orangery parterre covers no less than three hectares (almost 8 acres). There are 1055 containers with orange trees, palm trees, oleander, pomegranate trees and Eugenia bushes. It is said these are kept and stored inside the building during winter.
Overlooking the Orangery
The gardens here are absolutely breathtaking. There are a total of 13 groves, 6 fountains, the famous Nymphs Bath and of course the Mirror Pool. The gardens are created in symmetrical French patterns. Each grove has different statues and is designed differently from the next. The Mirror Pool, which collects its “magically” still water from the fountains is meant to express the power of humanity—and, specifically, the king—over nature.
Mirror Pool
Water so still it reflects like a mirror.
Neptunes Fountain
Mirror Pool
Fountains of the Fight of the Animals
The Royal Way or Great Lawn
Latona’s Fountain
Orangery Grove
Electric Golf Carts
We rented a golf cart to explore the grounds.
40 euros per hour
RESTAURANTS
We took a trolly from the Palace to the Grand Canal for lunch. Right outside of the Canal is a Brasserie called La Flottille. They are a full service restaurant with patio and indoor seating. Versailles has four other restaurants on the property; we opted for this one because it was directly next to the Mirror Pool. Guests were encouraged to save bread from their meals so they could walk over and feed the ducks outside the restaurant. The setting was so romantic for a picnic in the park or a boat ride. Boats were available for rent to paddle up and down the canal. Unfortunately we didn’t get to experience the boat ride because we were pressed for time, but next time IM IN THAT!
INSIDE THE PALACE
You can easily spend 4 to 6 hours here and still not see everything on the property. It’s best to have a game plan of what spots you want to see in order. We went off the beaten path and started backwards from the rest of the crowd. If you follow the large crowds the pace will be incredibly slow.
Popular Places to See at Versailles
The Coronation Room
The 1792 Room
The Dauphine and Dauphine’s Apartments
Louis XV’s Daughters Apartments
Historic Galleries
The Crusades Room
The Hall of Mirrors
The Gallery of Great Battles
Petit Trianon - Marie Antionette’s Private Chambers
The Royal Chapel
The Kings State Apartment
HALL OF MIRRORS
MARIE ANTIONETTES ROOM
The 1792 Room
Versailles Gift Shop
Trinkets from the Gift Shop
There is also an Angelina’s Cafe Cart at the exit of the palace. We grabbed macarons and bottled waters.
All of us knocked out on the way back to hotel.
After four hours at the Palace we were dead tired. There is still so much more to explore so I will be back. Preferably during another season to capture the grounds in the snow. As always, thank you so much for reading and coming with me. Where should I go next? Comment below.
-J.
