This half-day trip to the magnificent Palace of Versailles is perfect for anyone who is short of time.

The world’s most opulent Château, Versailles was in the 17th century created by Louis XIV (the Sun King) to demonstrate the absolute power of the French monarchy, then at its height.

Louis’ passion for the arts as well as for self-glorification meant that the Palace was decorated on a scale of lavishness unprecedented in France.

This convenient tour package gives you a choice of a morning or afternoon tour and includes fast-track entry to the Sun King’s extravagant creation. An audio-guide (available in 10 languages) will explain what you are seeing as you tour the Hall of Mirrors, the Royal Opera, Marble Staircase, Mars Drawing Room, Venus and Diana Drawing Rooms, and the Royal Chapel.

Marvel at the lavish frescoes, woodwork and marble and gilt embellishments and don’t forget to spend time in the spacious grounds filled with fountains, sculptures, and beautiful gardens.

If you visit between April and October you can often enjoy Les Grandes Eaux Musicales – a musical fountain show.

When does it run?

01 Nov - 31 Mar: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday
01 Apr - 31 Oct: Daily Except Monday

Duration

Approx 4 hours

Start time

Versailles Morning Tour: 0830h (8:30am)
Versailles Afternoon Tour: 1330h (1:30pm)

Meeting point

The start point for the tour is 11 avenue de l'Opera 75001 Paris.
Please report at the meeting point 15 minutes before the start time. This is mandatory to allow time for pre-departure briefing.

See on map

Ending point

The tour concludes at the original point of departure

There are two options for your Versailles Fast Pass Half-Day Tour from Paris

• Versailles Morning Tour
• Versailles Afternoon Tour

Whichever option you choose, you can join the tour at 11 avenue de l'Opéra 75001 Paris. Here, you will board a comfortable air-conditioned coach for the journey to Versailles. A bilingual hostess (English and French-speaking) will accompany you in the coach. Please hand your booking voucher to her on boarding.

On arrival at Versailles, your hostess will go with you to the entrance of the Palace of Versailles to collect the tickets and audio-guides. This will enable you to skip the queues for this ever-popular attraction. The tour is self-guided with an audio-guide in a choice of 10 languages (French, English, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese and Korean).

Versailles was created by Louis XIV (The Sun King) in the mid-17th century when he moved the court from Paris. Many historians believe he did this because there was so much intrigue among the nobility and politicians during his reign that he was afraid to have them out of his sight. He therefore built Versailles large enough to house his entire court and ordered the aristocracy to stay with him there.

The scale and grandeur of Versailles defy belief. Most visitors focus on the Château, with its stunning array of attractions. You will see that every moulding, cornice, ceiling and door of the interior is embellished with frescos, marble, gilt and woodcarvings, many with themes and symbols drawn from Greek and Roman mythology.

Make sure to see the State Apartments (both King and Queen's), Opera House and the Chapel Royal. Don't miss the beautiful Hall of Mirrors, a 75m-long ballroom with 17 huge mirrors on one side and, on the other, an equal number of windows looking out over the gardens.

Do try to leave time to visit the exquisitely landscaped grounds with their fountains, sculptures, and beautiful gardens.

Your package also includes entrance to the Grandes Eaux Musicales show (available on Tuesday, Saturday & Sundays from 01 April to 31 Oct) in which the beautiful ornamental fountains play in time to music.

You will have about 3 hours to enjoy the highlights of Versailles. At the end of that time you will meet up again with your hostess and board the coach for the journey back to Paris. The tour ends back at the starting point at 11 avenue de l'Opéra 75001 Paris.