Versailles Half-Day Trip From Paris: Guided Tour of Palace and Gardens

Indulge in the beauty and excess of the French monarchy's most extravagant palace. Counting some 700 rooms and 2,000 acres of gardens, this dazzling chateau still evokes the same sense of awe that it did over 300 years ago when it reached its apex under the Sun King, Louis XIV. Our Versailles tours from Paris cover the top sights at this famed UNESCO World Heritage Site on a half day visit, including the Grand Apartments, State Rooms and Hall of Mirrors, as well as the most exemplary parts of the Gardens of Versailles. City Wonders will personally escort you by a private air-conditioned coach from Paris to Versailles, where you will head straight past the long lines to enter the palace. Be mesmerized by its spectacular adornment as you enjoy captivating stories on its history and inhabitants including Louis XIV, XV, and XVI, their queens, and mistresses. Walk in the footsteps of Marie Antoinette and other historical figures to discover the moments that defined their lives, spanning the 'golden age' from the rise of France as one of Europe's most influential powers to the dramatic events of the French Revolution. Considered among the highest achievements of 17th and 18th century art and architecture, this palace par excellence started with humbler beginnings as Louis XIII's hunting lodge in the early 1600s. Over the century that followed it became an extravagant show of power as the court's official seat from 1682 to 1789. After the palace, and if option is selected, your visit will include the access to the lavish Gardens of Versailles, conceived as an artistic masterpiece themselves. Designed by the landscaper André Le Nôtre and court painter Charles Le Brun in the 1660s, this extensive formal garden symbolizes harmonious mastery over nature, all with the Apollonian twist that characterized the reign of the Sun King. Take some more time to experience the gardens on your own, wandering their beautiful olive groves and lawns.
 
Experiences: • Visit the opulent Grand Apartments, the State Rooms, and the breathtaking Hall of Mirrors inside Versailles while our passionate English-speaking guide marvels you with stories of the excesses of royal life, peaking under the Sun King, Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette • With round trip transportation by bus, Skip the Line Access and headsets we make the trip to Versailles comfortable and enjoyable for everyone. • From April to October, you'll receive all-inclusive tickets to the Gardens of Versailles, and enjoy the exploration of this vast outdoor oasis at your leisure (if option selected)
 
Available: Varies
 
Essentials: • This service ends at the Palace of Versailles. A bus transfer will then be provided to Paris. • Extra measures may be implemented at some venues due to heightened global security. As a result, we may experience delays in getting through mandatory security checks when entering these venues. Extra measures may also restrict the size of bags that can be brought inside. To avoid disruptions or possible denied entry, we strongly suggest that you avoid bringing large purses, bags, or backpacks on your tour. • It is the responsibility of all visitors to be at the meeting point 15 minutes before departure. Guests arriving after departure cannot be accommodated, & missed tours or tickets cannot be refunded. • For help with meeting points or other urgent issues, please phone 0033 01 70371426. • Our City Wonders coordinators will be wearing blue polo shirts or jackets at the meeting point for easy recognition. • This tour involves a fair amount of walking; comfortable shoes are recommended. • We regret that we are unable to accommodate guests with wheelchairs or any impairments requiring special assistance. We are also unable to accommodate strollers or baby carriages on our group tours. • Photography is permitted throughout the tour (no flash inside the Palace). • Some sites visited lack shade and can be hot under direct sunlight. We recommend bringing a hat, sunscreen and a bottle of water in warm weather. • France’s tourist sites are among the most popular in the world. Skip the Line Access and careful planning limit our crowd exposure, but please be aware that some locations may be unavoidably busy during standard hours. • Please note that many sections of the museum are not air-conditioned (as A/C is not standard practice in France). • We will do everything within our power to ensure timings and itineraries are respected; however, due to issues beyond our control, timings and sites are subject to last minute changes on rare occasions. • This tour ends at Trocaderò in Paris. • It is imperative to arrive promptly at the meeting point, at least 15 minutes prior to departure time. Late arrivals will not be eligible for a refund. • For help with meeting points or other urgent issues, please phone 39 06 8336 0561. • Our City Wonders guides will have a City Wonders sign with the name of the tour at the meeting point for easy recognition. • This tour involves a fair amount of walking and stairs; comfortable shoes are recommended. • We regret that we are unable to accommodate guests with wheelchairs or any impairments requiring special assistance. We are also unable to accommodate strollers or baby carriages on our group tours. • Entrance into the Abbey requires a strict dress code. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. City Wonders cannot be held responsible for refused entry due to improper dress. • Some sites visited lack shade and can be hot under direct sunlight. We recommend brining a hat, sunscreen and a bottle of water in warm weather. • City Wonders reserves the right to refuse participation on its tours to any guest under the influence of drugs or alcohol or to any guest whose behavior is disorderly, or poses a threat to other guests or City Wonders staff. • City Wonders is not responsible for any personal belongings that are lost or damaged. Guests should ensure they keep track of their items throughout the entire duration of the tour. Please note that any additional shipping costs related to retrieved items will not be covered by City Wonders. • Gratuities for your guide/driver that provided excellent service are appreciated! Disclaimer • Please note that on some occasions, return transportation to and from Versailles will be provided using a comfortable and modern train, allowing you to travel like a local! • We strongly recommend all clients who are traveling with infants to bring their own infant or child seat. It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to ensure the safety of their child. • Entry to the gardens is free of charge from November to March, you will not require a ticket to enter the gardens over that period. A ticket is required to visit the gardens from April to October due to the musical show. Over that period, tickets to the gardens are added automatically to the price. Your City Wonders representative will provide you with your ticket on the day of the tour (if option selected) • Please note that the Musical show may be subject to last minute schedule changes that are not under our control.
 
Restrictions: • We regret that we are unable to accommodate guests with wheelchairs or any impairments requiring special assistance. We are also unable to accommodate strollers or baby carriages on our group tours.
 
Duration: 6h