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Stars join King Charles at Versailles banquet during French state visit

Trip designed in part as show of friendship to reset UK-French relationship after Brexit years

King Charles was welcomed at a lavish state banquet at the Palace of Versailles on Wednesday night, at the start of a state visit to reinforce the renewed UK-France relationship after the near total collapse in trust during the Boris Johnson years after Brexit.

In Versailles’ Hall of Mirrors, the famed 17th-century gallery built by the Louis XIV to project the power and majesty of the French monarchy, King Charles told the French president, Emmanuel Macron: “Your generosity of spirit brings to mind how my family and I were so greatly moved by the tributes paid in France to my mother, the late queen … You said that she had touched your hearts – and it was she who held France in the greatest affection.”

He added: “I would like, if you would allow me, to raise a toast to President and Madame Macron and to the French people, as well as to our entente cordiale – a sustainable alliance. Whatever lies ahead, may it endure, faithful and constant, for centuries to come.” He was accompanied by Queen Camilla, who wore a blue silk crepe dress and matching cape by Dior, with diamonds inherited from the late queen.

More than 150 guests, including Mick Jagger and Hugh Grant, were seated along one vast, 60-metre-long table in order for everyone to be present “at the king’s table”. They were to dine on a lobster and crab dish inspired by the tastes of Louis XIV, followed by French poultry marinaded in champagne and a gratin of French cèpe mushrooms.

A selection of French and English cheeses included stichelton, a British blue cheese similar to stilton that uses unpasteurised milk. Along with a long list of vintage wines and vintage champagne, the dessert was a French macaron with lychee and rose sorbet and raspberry compôte.

There was no foie gras on the menu – the controversial pâté obtained by force-feeding ducks or geese – as the king has banned it from his household.

From early evening at the gilded entrance to the Palace of Versailles – both the seat of the French monarchy and a symbol of the French Revolution of 1789 – a procession of figures from sport, politics and culture walked the red carpet laid over cobblestones.

They included the British-French actor and singer Charlotte Gainsbourg, the British-French actor Emma Mackey and the French actor Carole Bouquet.

Also present were the chief executive of the French luxury goods empire LVMH, Bernard Arnault, one of the world’s richest people, as well as the businessman and French Iliad telecoms group founder Xavier Niel.

Several guests from the world of sport included the former French football coach Arsène Wenger, the French-Ivorian football star Didier Drogba, the footballer Patrick Vieira, and Tony Estanguet, the three-times Olympic canoeing champion who is head of the 2024 Paris Olympics organising committee, as well as the tennis player and former Wimbledon winner Amélie Mauresmo.

Stéphane Bern, the French broadcaster and royal commentator, who was a guest at the dinner, said: “Versailles is a showcase for France. This is about Franco-British friendship. It is about the excellence of the French art of fine dining, and it’s about showing the best of France to the British. The main element of an evening like this is always the toasts. You can only speak to your neighbour on your left or right as the table is too wide to speak over. The key topic of conversation at an event like this is the French art of eating and entertaining.”

All day, a team in Versailles had worked on the table presentation, using tape-measures to finalise the place settings to the millimetre.

The king’s toast referred to his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, who had lunch in the same room at Versailles during her first state visit to France in 1957. Macron had presented the king with a book specially made to commemorate her official visits to France.

The king’s trip is seen as the “soft power” follow-up to Rishi Sunak’s drive to repair the badly damaged Paris-London relationship at a Franco-British summit earlier this year, which addressed issues such as the crisis of people risking their lives to cross the Channel in small boats. “Despite Brexit and because our ties are so old, I know that we will continue to write together part of our continent’s history,” Macron said in his toast at the Versailles dinner.

Earlier in the day, King Charles lit the flame at the tomb of the Unknown Warrior at Paris’s Arc de Triomphe before travelling down the Champs-Elysées with Macron to hold one-to-one talks on issues including war in Ukraine and recent coups in Africa’s Sahel region.

At the Arc de Triomphe, the 74-year-old king and 45-year-old president commemorated Britain and France’s common sacrifices and continuing military cooperation ahead of next year’s 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings. Macron later posted a video on X, formerly Twitter, of the pair greeting crowds where shouts of “Vive le Roi” could be heard.

This friendship. pic.twitter.com/ikXRzDWUuE — Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) September 20, 2023

Macron presented the king with a gift of the first edition of the novel Les Racines du Ciel by Romain Gary, chosen for its references to the protection of animals and biodiversity, as well as a medal for his work on the environment.

King Charles, who is on his 35th visit to France, and Queen Camilla landed at Orly airport on a British Airways flight and were met on a red carpet by the prime minister, Élisabeth Borne. Their mode of transport was in contrast to Elizabeth II, who had travelled to Paris by Eurostar train in 2004 and 2014.

The king and queen were driven from the airport in their own Bentley, which was transported from the UK. But the king accompanied Macron down the Champs-Elysées in the presidential Citroën DS7 convertible accompanied by 136 horses of the republican guard.

• King Charles III
• Emmanuel Macron

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Rapport to the fore as King Charles and Macron rebuild cross-Channel trust

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The Guardian view on Keir Starmer in the Élysée: a cautious charm offensive

French trade minister to visit UK after post-Brexit ‘hiccup’

Liz Truss to say Macron trip to China was sign of weakness

E-scooters: a tale of two cities as London and Paris plot different paths

King Charles France visit could have had echoes of 1789, says ex-ambassador

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King Charles says UK is ‘ally and best friend’ of France in historic Senate address

Monarch describes partnership between two nations as ‘utterly vital’ to confronting challenges of russia’s invasion of ukraine and climate crisis, article bookmarked.

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King Charles vowed that the UK “will always be one of France’s closest allies and best friends” in a historic Senate address to round off the second day of his three-day state visit.

The King flitted between fluent French and English as he became the first British monarch to address France’s Senate. He hailed the partnership between the two nations as “remaining utterly vital as together we confront the challenges of this world”, citing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the climate crisis.

Charles branded global warming “our most existential challenge”, a day after prime minister Rishi Sunak faced fierce criticism for scaling back key green efforts designed to help the UK reach net zero by 2050. In the speech, which received a lengthy standing ovation from French lawmakers, the monarch called for a new entente cordiale to tackle the global climate emergency.

French president Emmanuel Macron later paid tribute to the King’s long-standing “conviction” and “preaching” on tackling climate change, as the pair visited a sustainability reception for business leaders and ministers at the Natural History Museum in Paris.

Meanwhile, Queen Camilla and the French first lady, Brigitte Macron, launched a new Franco-British literary prize at the Bibliotheque Nationale de France. They later bonded over a hilarious game of table tennis at a community centre in Saint-Denis, northern Paris, where they joined Charles and Mr Macron.

Camilla was revealed to have a competitive streak as she challenged Ms Macron to a match, but the French first lady appeared to get the better of the Queen as they played for a few minutes in a well-spirited game.

The King watched and laughed, before meeting sports stars such as former Chelsea footballer Didier Drogba and French rugby prop Demba Bamba.

Charles had even wished the English and French teams good luck in the Rugby World Cup in his historic Senate address earlier, saying in French: “May the best win.”

He and Camilla went from Saint-Denis to a Paris flower market named after his late mother, Elizabeth II. As rain poured in the afternoon, the pair met two stallholders who met the King’s mother during her last state visit to France in 2014.

Charles had earlier told the Senate the late Queen was the golden thread binding the nations together. He said: “In the rich and complex tapestry of the relationship between France and the United Kingdom, my mother’s golden thread will forever shine brightly. Let it inspire us all to continue to weave the connections between our two countries – with determination, hope and with love.”

He also thanked the people of France for the “great kindness you showed to us, and our people, at a time of such grief” after her death.

Charles made a few stops to greet the crowds waiting for him along the streets of the sites he visited throughout the day, including at the Paris flower market.

Meanwhile, in Saint-Denis, which will serve as a major venue in next year’s Olympics, the King chatted with young athletes, while Camilla exchanged a few balls with Prithika Pavade, a 19-year-old French table tennis player.

Residents said the royal visit was a welcome boost for the town with deep pockets of poverty, a reputation for crime and a feeling among many of being left by the wayside.

“A lot of people are poor and it has a reputation as a cut-throat place,” said Yasmina Bedar, who was born in Saint-Denis and has lived there for 50 years. “For a king in real flesh and blood to come to Saint-Denis of course can only help our image.”

The King also met there with the Paris Saint-Germain soccer club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, who gave him the club's No 3 jersey and explained the club's involvement in supporting young people and communities in difficulty.

Charles, Camilla and the Macrons later paid much attention to a presentation about ongoing renovation work at Notre Dame , one day after the king said he had been “utterly appalled by the scenes of such devastation following the catastrophic fire” in April 2019. The King and Queen also met firefighters who tackled the blaze and were applauded and photographed by dozens of workers on the higher floors.

The royal couple's trip started on Wednesday with a ceremony at Arc de Triomphe in Paris and a lavish state dinner at the Palace of Versailles. It will end on Friday with a stop in Bordeaux, the southwestern city that is home to a large British community.

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King Charles and Queen Camilla Highlight Personal Link With Chanel During State Visit to France

The royal couple is on a three-day state visit to Paris and Bordeaux.

The King and Queen visited le19M, which is a creative hub and gallery on the outskirts of the 19th arrondissement of Paris. It is the home to the Métiers d’Art Fellowship Programme, a partnership launched earlier this year between Charles’s charity The Prince’s Foundation and Chanel. The King and Queen met students from the program and viewed the work they produced. The students also did some of their course at the King’s private Gloucestershire residence, Highgrove, which is now home to its own Métiers d’art Training Atelier.

During the tour of the le19M building, which France’s First Lady Brigitte Macron joined them for, Camilla met textile designers and was invited to try her hand at weaving on one of the looms. The Queen also showed her support for the Chanel with her choice of outfit for the day by wearing shoes made by the French fashion house and carrying a Chanel handbag.

“The Métiers d’Art Fellowship Programme is delivered by Chanel & The Prince’s Foundation, in partnership with le 19M,” Buckingham Palace said. “It is a residential 24-week intensive embroidery programme designed to challenge and develop creative practice with a focus on developing and refining traditional skills. Teaching is delivered by artisans and highly skilled tutors, with mentorship and guidance by Creative Directors from Maisons d’Art such as Lesage, Atelier Montex and Lemarié.”

The first cohort of students began their lessons in January, focusing on hand embroidery and beading skills. Métiers d’art roughly translates as “art professions” and is also the name for an annual collection Chanel holds. Charles set up the Prince's Foundation when he was Prince of Wales. It is an educational charity with a focus on preserving traditional techniques and crafts.

Town & Country Contributing Editor Victoria Murphy has reported on the British Royal Family since 2010. She has interviewed Prince Harry and has travelled the world covering several royal tours. She is a frequent contributor to Good Morning America. Victoria authored Town & Country book The Queen: A Life in Pictures , released in 2021. 

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Welcome to Versailles

This spring at the palace of versailles.

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From the seat of power to a museum of the history of France

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Exhibitions

From 19 March to 23 June 2024 / The estate of Trianon

Imperial silks for Versailles, a collection from the Mobilier National

From 19 March to 23 June 2024, the Grand Trianon is hosting an exhibition dedicated to an exceptional commission placed by Napoleon I with the Lyon silk manufacturers for silks to refurnish the Palace of Versailles.

From 29 March to 31 October 2024 / The Gardens

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From 29 March to 31 October 2024, enjoy the Musical Gardens and the Great Musical Waters in the gardens and groves opened for the occasion. Every Saturday evening from 8 June to 21 September, Sunday 14 July, friday 28 June and Thursday 15 August, discover the Gardens in the evening with the The Night Fountains Show.

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Virtually Versailles

After highly successful runs in Singapore and Shanghai, the Virtually Versailles immersive exhibition is reaching out to international audiences at Hangzhou's Winland Center from May 2, 2024. A unique opportunity to discover Versailles from China.

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guided tours

During guided tours, a speaker from the Palace invites you into lesser known locations otherwise closed to the visitors. You can also book online tours to discover the backstage of the Castle from your home!

From march 19 to june 23, 2024

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The collection's website

Discover the collections of the Palace of Versailles through the new English version of the website. Containing over 60,000 works, the collections of the Palace of Versailles span a very broad period. The collections reflect the dual identity of the Palace, as both a palace occupied by the kings of France and the royal court, and later a museum “dedicated to the glories of France,” inaugurated by Louis-Philippe in 1837.

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Palace of Versailles x Saint-Louis glassworks

The Palace of Versailles and the Saint-Louis glassworks teamed up to offer a new “Galerie des reines” set of four crystal flutes. Sold exclusively by subscription until September 15, 2024, to benefit the restoration of the Versailles Estate.

Restoration of Apollo’s fountain

Apollo’s fountain is now in major need of restoration. The gilded lead parts of Apollo on his chariot need to regain their lustre. Starting in December 2022, the sculpted group will be dismantled, lifted out by crane and taken to a workshop for substantial restoration.

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The best of Versailles for subscribers! For a whole year, benefit from numerous advantages thanks to the SOLO or DUO cards, and unlimited ticket access from only 65€.

22,000 artworks to discover online

With 60,000 artworks, collections of Versailles illustrate 5 centuries of French History. This set reflects the dual vocation of the Palace once inhabited by the sovereigns and then a museum dedicated "to all the glories of France" inaugurated by Louis-Philippe in 1837.

1787 — Elisabeth-Louise Vigée-Lebrun

Marie-Antoinette, reine de France, et ses enfants

1791 - 1792 — Jacques-Louis David

Le serment du Jeu de Paume, 20 juin 1789

1701 — Hyacinthe RIGAUD

1783 — Élisabeth Vigée Lebrun

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1665 — Gian-Lorenzo Bernini, dit (le) Bernin

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1678-1685 — Charles Le Brun

Le roi gouverne par lui-même, 1661

1846 — Horace Vernet

Le roi Louis-Philippe entouré de ses cinq fils [...]

1777 — Michel-Barthélémy Ollivier

Souper du prince

1706 — Antoine Morand

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Palais-Royal visitor guide

Visit Palais-Royal, France

The Palais-Royal and the associated gardens is a palace just a short distance north of the Louvre and at the southern end of the road that leads to the Opera . Although it doesn't take long to explore it is a lovely place and a tranquil escape from the crowds nearby, and free to enter, so certainly well worth a visit

History of the Palais-Royal (Royal Palace) at Paris

The Royal-Palace was originally built in 1636 by Cardinal Richelieu - so it is not surprising to learn it was at that time called the Palais-Cardinal. Richelieu bequeathed the palace to the King in his will, so it became Royal in 1642. Over the following decades it became a centre for meetings of the Royal court.

The palace was later extended to include the columned area behind the main palace, which was used for shops and subsequently became something of an area of ill-repute. This continued until King Louis-Philippe came to the throne in 1830 and decided to close the shops because of their bad reputation.

The palace was burned in the Paris Commune uprising of 1870, then restored to be used as Government offices, a role it has retained until today.

Visiting the Palais-Royal (Royal Palace)

Before entering the main courtyard take a look at the original Palais-Royal from Rue Saint-Honorè. This large courtyard is not open to the public but can be seen through the ironwork gates. To the left of the palace entrance is the Comedie Francaise, created by an important group of actors in the 17th century and still active today.

You can now enter the courtyard, which falls into two separate sections. The first is a large square surrounded by stone columns called the Cour d'Honneur and now featuring a rather controversial artwork by Danial Buren which has placed black and white striped colums in straight rows throughout the courtyard.

It is true that these aren't the most inspiring artwork in the world but it is not without interest and it gives young people somewhere take selfies...

Just beyond the columns you will find large round fountains containing multiple big shiny bowls. Again apparently controversial but these actually give quite interesting multiple reflections of the columns and palace buildings and they provide an extra point of interest.

Beyond this first area the large second courtyard is where you can see the gardens of the Palais-Royal, also surrounded by buildings most of which are now small shops.

The gardens were once larger but they were reduced in size and the surrounding buildings erected in 1780 by the Duke of Orléans in an attempt to make money, mostly from cafes and brothels (and rather successfully, we are told).

The gardens are very pretty with lots of flower beds and a large water feature in the middle and a nice place to escape the crowds of the Louvre for a while.

We were surprised to see the warning sign next to the pond that warned that so many dangerous chemicals are used to treat the water that it is not safe to even put your feet in the water. I'm no expert but it sounds less than ideal to be using highly toxic chemicals here...

If you leave the Palais-Royal from the north end you can follow the Rue de la Bourse a short distance to see the Bourse (stockmarket) building.

You can find more travel ideas in the Paris guide and the Paris region guide .

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The most visited art museum in the world, the Louvre contains countless numbers of extraordinary works of art

Jardin des Tuileries

The Jardin des Tuileries is a large park and garden near the Louvre in the centre of Paris

Paris Opera

The extravagant design and decoration of the Palais Garnier, usually known as the Paris Opera, make it one of the most ornate buildings in Paris

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La Conciergerie at Paris is one of the oldest and most important gothic palaces in France

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The Musee de l'Orangerie in Paris is best known for its eight paintings of Water Lilies by Monet

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The Eglise de la Madeleine is a most unusual church, being built under orders from Napoleon to resemble a traditional Greek temple

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It's odd that the Palais-Royal, while situated right in the center of historic Paris, is so often missed by visitors. One reason, perhaps, is that Palais Royal is easy to bypass, surrounded as it is by other famous buildings and the busy life of Paris. Or maybe it's because it's right across from the Louvre and visitors are distracted by the fame and beauty of that museum.

But, hidden from the casual passer-by are the wonderful gardens. We love to spend time strolling through the galleries that border the garden, walking the flowery paths, and sitting by one of the most pleasant fountains in Paris. It's a relaxing break from the hustle and bustle that surrounds the Louvre. One of our favourite times to be there is during those first warms days of March, with the flowers starting to bloom and the trees budding and the park birds flitting.

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History of the palais-royal in paris.

Back in the 1630s, Cardinal Richelieu, at the height of his powers as Louis XIII's Chief Minister, commissioned a mansion for himself, to be built on land just across the street from the royal palace of the Louvre. The mansion was named after him, Palais-Cardinal, but he was only able to enjoy it for three years before he died in 1642. Richelieu bequeathed his house to Louis XIII and over the next 150 years it passed through the hands of various members of the French royalty,

Over the decades the Palais housed many notable royals, including the wife and daughter of Charles I of England after that king was deposed and executed in 1649. Henrietta Anne, his daughter, married Louis XIV's brother and it was she who created the famed gardens of the Palais Royal. During her lifetime the Palace was famous throughout France for its grand parties and royal affairs.

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Drama after drama – theaters & revolution.

Just before the French Revolution , Palais Royal passed to Louis-Philippe, Duke of Orléans, a man famous for both womanizing and being short of cash. Thinking he could add to the gardens some rent-paying properties, he built uniform blocks of apartments around three sides of the garden, with arcades and shops at ground level. He also opened the gardens to the public.

Duke Louis' other work included building a new Paris Opera to replace the previous theatre that had been destroyed by fire. After that replacement opera, too, was razed by fire, it in turn was replaced by what became the two most important French theaters of that and subsequent eras — Théâtre du Palais-Royal and Comédie Français , which is still there today.

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During the French Revolution Palais Royal was temporarily renamed Palais de l'Égalité , Palace of Equality. After the Revolution the palace regained its place in the centre of Paris social life and the most popular cafés were to be found around it.

Today it's the home of France's Constitutional Council and of the Ministry of Culture. The gardens remain open to the public and are a great place to spend a perfect spring day. It's located across from the northwest wing of the Louvre, on Rue Saint-Honoré.

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Palais-royal resources.

• PALAIS-ROYAL 8 rue Montpensier Enter the gardens from Rue de Valois on the east, Rue de Montpensier on the west, or Rue de Beaujolais on the north. → Palais Royal Website …
• COMÉDIE FRANÇAIS Place Colette → Comédie Francais Website …
• LE GRAND VÉFOUR This historic restaurant today holds two Michelin stars under the spatula of Chef Guy Martin. It's found in the arcade on the north end of the gardens.

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Domaine National du Palais-Royal

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State Visit Jewels: British Royal Visit to Paris (1938)

03.15.2017 by The Court Jeweller // Leave a Comment

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will make a two-day visit to Paris on Friday and Saturday, adding their names to a long list of British royals who have made official visits to France’s capital city. Today and tomorrow, we’ll be looking back at the clothes and jewels worn during a few memorable state and official visits to Paris. We’re kicking things off with one of the most iconic French visits of them all: the state visit of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth to Paris and Versailles in 1938.

The state visit was originally scheduled to take place in June 1938, a little over a year after the coronation. Preparations were well underway when Elizabeth’s mother, the Countess of Strathmore (pictured above in 1931), died in London. With only five days until Bertie and Elizabeth were due to leave for Paris, a diplomatic scramble ensued. Finally, it was decided to postpone the visit for three weeks rather than cancel it entirely.

After her mother’s funeral, Elizabeth turned her attention back to the clothing that she’d been preparing for France. Norman Hartnell had been working with the King and Queen on the inspiration for her Parisian wardrobe. The Shawcross biography of Elizabeth notes that Bertie had suggested echoing the past: “Hartnell recalled that the King showed him at Buckingham Palace portraits by Winterhalter of the Empresses Eugenie of France [pictured above] and Elisabeth of Austria, wearing crinolines.” Hartnell had subsequently made several colorful gowns in “this romantic, swaying style.”

But the sudden death of Lady Strathmore meant that Elizabeth needed to wear mourning clothes during the state visit. She and Hartnell (pictured above at work in 1932) brainstormed for possible solutions and hit upon a particularly elegant answer. Shawcross explains that Hartnell “pointed out that there was an alternative [to wearing black]: white was also a colour of royal mourning — after all Queen Victoria had insisted on a white funeral.” Elizabeth agreed with the proposal, and with only two weeks to spare before the visit began, Hartnell and his army of seamstresses remade all of the dresses for the visit in white fabrics.

With everything in working order — and the King recovered from a sudden bout of the stomach flu — the royal visit began on July 19, 1938. Elizabeth left England wearing black with white jewels, a common combination for modern royal mourning. The Associated Press reported that “a hundred heavy trunks” were packed to accompany the royal couple on their trip. They crossed the channel by boat, and then traveled to Paris by train.

On the train journey to Paris, Elizabeth changed into the first outfit from her Hartnell “White Wardrobe.” Shawcross describes the ensemble as “a two-piece dress and coat edged with silver fox.”

Another view of the first Hartnell outfit, with its distinctive fur cuffs, can be seen above. Elizabeth stands beside President Lebrun of France outside the Elysee Palace.

On the evening of the first day of the visit, Elizabeth brought out dazzling royal jewels for a state banquet at the Elysee Palace. Perhaps to emphasize the importance of the visit, she wore her coronation crown (with the arches removed). The Guardian  described the diadem as “an open diamond tiara of Maltese crosses and fleur-de-lys, with the Koh-i-Noor diamond in the centre.” Her other jewels included Queen Victoria’s Fringe Brooch and the gem-encrusted Garter, worn over the left sleeve of her Hartnell gown.

One more view of the state banquet jewels, a still-capture from a British Pathe newsreel. The sash that Elizabeth wears is the dark red sash of the French Legion d’Honneur. You’ll note that Elizabeth arrived at the banquet wearing it incorrectly, placing it over her left shoulder (as one wears the Order of the Garter sash). Shawcross notes that, during the banquet, “the Queen noticed the President looking askance at her: she was wearing the Legion d’Honneur, which he had just conferred on her, on the wrong shoulder. She hurriedly changed it.”

Day two of the visit, July 20, included a boat ride along the Seine with President and Madame Lebrun. A garden party at at the Château de Bagatelle in the Bois de Boulogne followed and gave Elizabeth another chance to shine in a Hartnell dress.

Above, Caroline de Guitaut of the Royal Collection displays the garden party gown, complete with parasol, at the 2005 Buckingham Palace summer exhibition.

Elizabeth wore pearl earrings and three strands of pearls with the gown. On her left shoulder, she pinned one of her favorite brooches: Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee Brooch, a diamond and pearl jewel made by Garrard in 1897. She also appears to have affixed another brooch to her hat.

That evening, Bertie and Elizabeth attended a return dinner at the Opera Garnier. The 2005 Buckingham Palace summer exhibition featured their clothing and jewels from the evening. Shawcross described this elaborate Hartnell creation as “a spreading gown of oyster-coloured satin, the skirt draped in festoons held by clusters of cream velvet camellias.” She accessorized with the Oriental Circlet and lots of diamonds, including her own coronation necklace and Queen Victoria’s coronation necklace and earrings. The sash of the Legion d’Honneur was secured with the Duchess of Teck’s Flower Brooch, and she wore the jeweled Garter on her left arm.

Lady Diana Cooper, daughter of the 8th Duke of Rutland and wife of the British ambassador to France, recorded her thoughts on the splendid opera gala: “At the opera we leant over the balustrade to see the Royal couple, shining with stars and diadem and the Legion d’Honneur proudly worn, walk up the marble stairs.”

The third day of the state visit, July 21, took place largely in Versailles. After a military exhibition, the couple were treated to lunch in the Hall of Mirrors. Elizabeth wore, according to Shawcross, “another floor-length spreading dress of white organdie, embroidered all over with open-work broderie anglaise. Her white leghorn hat was trimmed with ribbons of black velvet.” She wore two strands of pearls, plus pearl earrings. I believe that the brooch pinned at the neckline of her dress is Queen Victoria’s round pearl-studded brooch with pearl pendants.

After lunch, a special concert presentation was given. Footage from this event allows us to view the clasp of Elizabeth’s pearl necklace, which appears to be the Hanoverian Pearl Necklace. Shawcross notes that a timing mishap made this part of the visit foreboding rather than elegant: “Unfortunately, the fly-past by the French air force was delayed until the afternoon and took place during a concert in the chapel of the Palace. Suddenly the music was interrupted by the roars of wave after wave of military planes passing overhead. Rather than reassuring, the display was macabre and unsettling — certainly that was how the experience remained in the memories of the King and Queen.”

On returning to Paris that evening, a final gala dinner was given for Bertie and Elizabeth. The Guardian  reported that “on this last night of their visit M. Bonnet, the Foreign Minister, gave a banquet in their honour at the French Foreign Office, followed by a large reception and an entertainment which included a scene from Moliere’s ‘Ecole des Femmes.'” Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to find footage or images of the event or details about Elizabeth’s clothing or jewels.

Before leaving France on July 22, Bertie and Elizabeth traveled to Villers-Bretonneux for the unveiling of a memorial to the Australian Imperial Forces who had died in France during World War I, especially those who had been buried in unmarked graves.

Elizabeth wore one of Queen Victoria’s bow brooches pinned to her white outfit. After the king laid a wreath at the memorial, Shawcross notes that “the Queen spontaneously approached the memorial and laid on it a bunch of red poppies from the surrounding fields which had been given to her that morning by a schoolboy.” You can see the small bouquet in her left hand in the moving image above. The gesture was reminiscent of her wedding day, when she unexpectedly left her bridal bouquet atop the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey.

Another image from the memorial unveiling gives us an excellent view of the clasp of Elizabeth’s pearls, as well as her pearl earrings. This detail suggests that the two-stranded pearl necklace with the diamond clasp is the Hanoverian Pearl Necklace.

The royal couple returned to England that afternoon. The visit was hailed as a great success, especially for Norman Hartnell. Shawcross explains that all of his effort in making the White Wardrobe “was worth all the trouble. The new dresses were exquisite and their effect was mesmerizing. As a result, Hartnell became official Court dressmaker to Queen Elizabeth, designing all her important outfits for the next four decades.” The 2005 summer exhibition to Buckingham Palace (an image from which is displayed above) was devoted to this state visit and, in particular, Hartnell’s White Wardrobe.

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A guide to palais-royal (things to see, history & more).

Taylor Martin --> January 17, 2024

Palais-Royal is a landmark in the 1st arrondissement, near the Louvre, that can be great to visit when you are in Paris.

This former royal palace is a very interesting place to visit when you want to see architecture and learn about history. The courtyard, where you can find a lot of beautiful nature, is perfect if you want to sit down and relax, or if you want to go for a stroll. There are also theaters, restaurants, cafes, and stores.

With this guide to Palais-Royal, you can learn about the landmark’s history and get more information about what you can see and do at the palace. I’ll also give information about places that are near it.

History of Palais-Royal

Palais-Royal is a former French royal palace. The palace dates back to the start of the 17th century when it was built for Cardinal Richelieu. At that time, the palace was known as Palais-Cardinal. The building was the personal residence of the Cardinal and it remained his personal residence until his death.

Later, it was used by Louis XIII, Louis XIV, and Philippe I, Duke of Orléans, as well as other people.

The building was also the residence of the wife and daughter of King Charles I of England who escaped from England during the English Civil War.

Throughout the years, lots of changes were made to the design of the building, which means that the current Palais-Royal looks very different from the Palais-Cardinal.

At the end of the 18th century, some parts of Palais-Royal became shopping arcades, and the palace became a popular place for the public. The arcades that surrounded the public gardens featured boutiques, bookstores, museums, cafes, and other venues.

Nowadays, the Palais-Royal is the seat of the Ministry of Culture and various other official offices. In addition to that, you can still find many stores, cafes, and other venues at the building, and the garden is a public park.

The Colonnes de Buren

Palais-Royal consists of two main parts, the garden and the Colonnes de Buren.

The Colonnes de Buren, or Les Deux Plateaux, is a modern art installation that was created in 1986 by the artist Daniel Buren.

The location of the art installation is the Cour d’Honneur.

The art installation Colonnes de Buren consists of 260 black-and-white striped columns that all vary in height. The columns form a grid.

Some of the columns are surrounded by water

The contrast between the modern columns and the historic architecture of Palais-Royal makes the art installation interesting to see.

Moreover, the columns are a very popular photo spot in Paris. People take photos while standing next to the columns, sitting on top of them, or standing on the columns.

Jardin du Palais Royal

The Jardin du Palais Royal is the large garden of the Palais-Royal.

The beautiful building of Palais-Royal surrounds the garden on all sides, and to the south of the garden, you can find the Colonnes de Buren.

The garden is a great place to go for a relaxing walk all year round. The garden has many trees that look beautiful whichever season you plan to visit Palais-Royal. For example, during the fall, you can see a large number of leaves on the ground.

At many spots throughout the garden, there are benches. These benches are situated underneath the trees, thus they are in the shadow in summer.

Some of the benches have famous quotes on them.

In addition to that, there is a large fountain with green chairs that make for another place in the garden where you can relax.

Besides that, there are statues and flowers.

While relaxing in the garden, the beautiful nature and historic architecture are both wonderful to see.

Surrounding the garden, you can find the arcades of the Palais-Royal that are separated from the garden by beautiful black-and-gold fences and gates.

Underneath the arcades, there are many stores, cafes, restaurants, and other venues.

Some Places at Palais-Royal

I’ll highlight some of the places that you can find at the Palais-Royal. Besides these, there are many other venues that are worth checking out when you are visiting Palais-Royal.

Théâtre du Palais-Royal

Location: 38 Rue de Montpensier, 75001 Paris

Théâtre du Palais-Royal is one of the two theaters that you can find at Palais-Royal. You can find this theater to the northwest of the garden of Palais-Royal. The entrance is located at 38 Rue de Montpensier.

The Théâtre du Palais-Royal is a 750-seat theater that dates back to the end of the 18th century when it had a different name.

When the theater opened in 1784, it was a puppet theater that was in use to entertain the children of the Duke of Orléans. From 1790, the theater was also used for plays and operas.

Throughout the years, the theater was used for all kinds of entertainment, including comedies and operettas.

Nowadays, you can still see a large variety of performances at the theater.

In addition to the quality of the shows, the beauty of the interior of the theater makes going here a great idea! The auditorium of the Théâtre du Palais-Royal features many beautiful decorations.

Café Kitsuné Palais Royal

Location: 51 Gal de Montpensier, 75001 Paris

Café Kitsuné Palais Royal is one of the branches of the popular coffee shop Café Kitsuné. You can find this cafe underneath the arcades of Palais-Royal.

Café Kitsuné Palais Royal is a very small coffee shop where you can get all kinds of delicious coffee drinks.

There’s little room inside, but the cafe has an outdoor terrace where you can sit down and enjoy your drink. Besides that, you can also get a drink and then sit down at one of the benches of the garden of Palais-Royal.

The cafe is known for its delicious matcha latte, and I recommend getting that drink! You can choose from different types of milk for this drink, including plant-based milk.

Salle Richelieu

Location: 1 Place Colette, 75001 Paris

Salle Richelieu is the other theater that you can find at Palais-Royal.

This theater is the main theater of Comédie-Française , which is a state theater company that is one of the oldest theater companies in the world that is still active. Comédie-Française dates back to the end of the 17th century.

You can find Salle Richelieu on Place Colette next to the south entrance of Palais-Royal.

Lots of different shows take place at the theater, including contemporary plays and classic works.

On some days of the week, you can do a guided tour of Salle Richelieu. During such a tour, you can learn about the history of the theater, see the old building from the inside, and see the collection of art that is located at the theater.

Nearby Places to Explore

Palais-Royal is located in the 1st arrondissement, and you can find many interesting places near it.

Louvre Museum

The Louvre Museum , housed in the historic Louvre Palace, is one of the best and most popular museums in the world.

The museum has a large collection that includes more than 600,000 items. The objects are from many periods in time and from all around the world, and there are many different mediums of art on display.

The collection is divided into several different departments, such as Egyptian antiquities, sculptures, and paintings.

The most famous work of the museum is the Mona Lisa, and you can find many other famous and significant works at the museum.

Galerie Vivienne

Location: 4 Rue des Petits Champs, 75002 Paris

To the north of Palais-Royal, you can find Galerie Vivienne. This is one of Paris’s most beautiful covered passages.

You can enter the passage for free and shop at the shops that you can find there.

The gallery has a beautifully decorated interior and was opened to the public in the year 1826. The passage has a beautiful glass roof, a mosaic floor, and many other beautiful features.

Shopping at the covered passage is also one of the best things to do in Paris when it rains.

When you go here, you could also go to Bistro Vivienne. This is a French restaurant that is located next to the entrance of Galerie Vivienne where you can enjoy delicious classic French food.

Rue Saint-Honoré

Rue Saint-Honoré is a shopping street that you can find directly to the south of Palais-Royal. This is one of the most famous streets in Paris and it is also one of the oldest streets, as it dates back to the 13th century.

There are many luxury stores on the street, such as Burberry, as well as independent luxury boutiques.

In addition to stores, there are many cafes and restaurants on this street.

Rue de Rivoli

Rue de Rivoli is another great shopping street in Paris that you can find close to Palais-Royal. This street is located to the south of Rue Saint-Honoré and to the south of Palais-Royal, and it runs parallel to Rue Saint-Honoré.

You can find lots of well-known retailers on the street, such as Zara and Urban Outfitters.

On the street, you can also find the department store La Samaritaine.

A part of the street, the part that runs along the Tuileries Garden, includes many cafes, pastry shops, and other types of shops.

More Paris Travel Guides

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Thanks for reading my guide to Palais-Royal. Have fun exploring the landmark!

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Visiting The Palace Of Versailles From Paris

by Mark and Kristen Morgan

Published: June 3, 2024

UPDATED: June 3, 2024

The Palace of Versailles is one of the most popular day trip options from Paris. If you have enough time in your Paris itinerary, we highly recommend making the trip because it’s a unique and beautiful experience. However, many others will have the same idea so you can expect the palace to be extremely busy.

There’s much more to see than just the palace complex, including stunning gardens and smaller estates within the grounds. It’s a great place to visit for the entire family with numerous walking trails and activities for kids. In this Palace of Versailles guide, we show you everything you need to know about visiting from Paris.

Our Paris Experience

We personally visited the Palace of Versailles on a day trip from Paris in November 2023. It was a cold and rainy winter day, but that didn’t stop us from enjoying everything the palace has to offer. And even though we visited in winter, Versailles was still very busy and crowded so it’s important to do a little bit of planning no matter what time of year you visit.

For our Versailles trip, we decided to make an entire day out of it so we included the Main Palace, the Gardens, Trianon Estate and the Queen’s Hamlet. It was a lot of walking and it took us 8 hours in total. Below, we’ll show you what’s worth visiting and how to maximize your time at Versailles. Read more  about us .

Palace Of Versailles History

The town of Versailles is located about 12 miles (20 km) southwest of Paris and it was deeply loved by King Louis XIII. In 1623, the king built a small hunting lodge on the current site that is now the Palace of Versailles. His son, Louis XIV spent a lot of time at Versailles as a child and later expanded the original hunting lodge between 1661 and 1715. He transformed it into the large extravagant complex visitors can walk around today.

In 1682, King Louis XIV officially moved the French Court and government to the Palace of Versailles and a succession of kings ruled here until the French Revolution in 1789. Two important treaties were also signed on the palace grounds which play an important part of France’s history.

The Treaty of Paris was signed at the Palace of Versailles in 1783, ending the American Revolutionary War. Then in the 19th Century, Versailles was used once again by Napoleon Bonaparte, Louis XVIII, Louise-Phillippe and Napoleon III as a seasonal residence.

The Treaty of Versailles was signed in the Hall of Mirrors in June 1919, formally ending World War I. In 1979, the Palace and Park of Versailles were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It now welcomes 15 million visitors per year making it one of the world’s most popular tourist attractions.

For the 2024 Summer Olympics , the Palace of Versailles will host equestrian events and the modern pentathlon. All areas of Versailles will remain open to visitors during the games, and public transportation will be provided to help spectators easily get to competition sites.

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Visitor Information

The Palace of Versailles is open every day of the week (except Mondays) beginning at 9:00am . Weekends, especially holiday weekends, are the busiest time of the week so try to visit during the week if possible.

However, the park and the garden are open everyday, and they’re free to visit from November to March. But from April to October, access to the gardens between Tuesday and Sunday may require an additional fee due to the Musical Fountains show. Here are the official opening times for both high and low season:

High season (April 1st – October 31st):

• Palace –   Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00am to 6:30pm
• Estate of Trianon – Tuesday to Sunday from 12:00pm to 6:30pm
• Gardens – Daily from 8:00am to 8:30pm
• Park – Daily from 7:00am to 8:30pm

Low season (November 1st – March 31st):

• Palace –   Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00am to 5:30pm
• Estate of Trianon – Tuesday to Sunday from 12:00pm to 5:30pm
• Gardens – Daily from 8:00am to 6:00pm
• Park – Daily from 8:00am to 6:00pm

There are various ticket options and tours you can book, but we’ll go over this at the end of our guide after we show you everything you can do at the palace grounds.

Things To Do At The Palace Of Versailles

When you visit Versailles, there is more to see than just the main palace. If your itinerary allows, we recommend you spend a whole day here because it’s a fascinating place to explore. Here are a few of our favorite things to do on site:

1. Visit The Palace

The Palace is where the majority of visitors at Versailles spend their time and you should plan for at least 2-3 hours . Inside, there are over 2,300 rooms and you’ll follow a predetermined tour route. If you’re planning to use an audioguide, it might take you longer to get though all the rooms because there are also various displays to read.

Some of the more famous rooms within the palace include the Hall of Mirrors, the King’s Apartment, Marie Antoinette’s Bedchamber, the Gallery of Great Battles, the Opera and Coronation Room.

We visited at 9:30am just 30 minutes after the palace opened and it was already extremely busy. We had to wait in a 30 minute line just to enter the palace even with our timed entry reservation. It was raining and there was nowhere to hide from the elements, so we got soaked. If you’re visiting on a hot day or in the rain, make sure you’re prepared if you have to stand outside before entering the palace.

2. Enjoy The Gardens

After visiting the palace, you’ll be lead out to the large gardens . Access is free of charge unless you visit during a Musical Fountain show and Musical Garden day (mostly Tuesdays, Fridays and weekends between March and October). For specific days and tickets visit the official website here .

If you want to see the gardens, you should plan for at least 2 hours. There are over 300 sculptures and some of the popular sites include the Great Lawn, Apollo’s Fountain, Neptune’s Fountain, the Orangery and the Groves.

There are 3 main walking paths you can explore including the Water Walk, the Royal Way or the King’s Garden Grove. We love the Royal Way because it follows the Great Lawn and ends at Apollo’s Fountain. Once you get to the Grand Canal, you can make a right to head towards the Estate of Trianon.

Travel Tip : From the Hall of Mirrors, look out of the large windows for a full perspective of the beautiful gardens from above. The view will stretch all the way to the Grand Canal so we think it’s one of the best views you can see of the gardens.

3. Musical Fountains Show

From March to October every year, you can enjoy the Musical Fountain show and the Musical Gardens. The Musical Fountains perform every weekend while the Musical Gardens can be seen from Tuesday to Saturday. Additional tickets are required and you can buy them here .

Here are the current prices for each option:

• Musical Fountain Show: € 10,50
• Musical Gardens: € 10,00

Entrance is free for children 6 and under.

Unfortunately, the fountains were not playing when we visited in November, but it’s on our bucket list. There is also a Night Fountain Show with fireworks and dramatic lighting effect which occurs over the Grand Canal. For a complete list of shows, click here .

Travel Tip : If you purchase the Palace of Versailles Passport, you’ll have access to the musical shows included in your ticket.

4. Grand Canal

The Grand Canal is one of the most breathtaking scenes at the Palace of Versailles. It stretches an impressive 23 hectares, which took 11 years to complete, and there’s no better place to take in the grandeur of the estate than at the Grand Canal.

Rowing a boat on the Grand Canal is one of the best things to do at Versailles. If you’re visiting with kids, this might be something you want to add to your Versailles itinerary. You’ll find the boat rentals near La Flottille restaurant. Four people maximum are allowed in one boat with a minimum time of 30 minutes.

Travel Tip : The Grand Canal is located within the park of Versailles. It’s always free to enter, making it a very popular spot.

5. Trianon Estate

The Estate of Trianon includes the Grand Trianon, Petit Trianon and the Queen’s Hamlet . It originally comprised of a single estate and was purchased by Louis XIV in 1661. This was where the French royal family would go for walks, hold dinners and put on their famous parties.

For your first stop, head to the Grand Trianon, known for it’s beautiful pink marble columns and pilasters. Inside, you can explore the North and South Wing including the Mirror Room, various Bedchambers, Chapel Rooms, Family Drawing Room, Malachite Room and Map Room. If you have time, you can also take a stroll around the Grand Trianon Gardens which showcase various statues and fountains.

Next, head to the Petit Trianon. It’s a neo-Greek-style building originally used as a small summer dining room that’s completely surrounded by stunning gardens. Not far from the Queen’s Hamlet, this was a quiet place Marie Antionette could escape from the court. You can explore the ground and first floor as well as the Petit Trianon Gardens.

Travel Tip : If you have time to walk through the gardens, check out the Small Lake and Rock Pavilion. It’s a beautiful spot with a unique grotto.

6. Queens Hamlet

The Queen’s Hamlet is technically part of the Trianon Estate, but we think it’s unique and deserves its own section on our guide. This was one of our favorite stops at the Palace of Versailles because it’s so different from the rest of the grounds.

It was originally built between 1783 and 1786 as a rustic getaway featuring several smaller structures for Marie Antionette. The hamlet was where she could escape palace life and enjoy a private life with friends.

While you can’t go inside all of the buildings, you can enter a few of them. You’ll find small informational displays inside as well as beautifully manicured gardens outside of each small complex. The Hamlet is the main centerpiece and it was inspired by the half-timbered houses of Normandy.

7. Small And Great Stables

Located about 10 minutes from the main palace on the town side, you’ll find the Gallery of Coaches and Sculpture Gallery inside the Small and Great Stables.

The Gallery of Coaches is on the ground floor of the Great Stables. It’s free to visit and includes two large galleries showcasing an impressive collection of grand ceremonial Berlin Coaches. Inside the Small Stables, you’ll find the Sculpture Gallery which is home to ancient Greek and Roman statues.

8. Rent A Bike or Ride The Train

The Palace of Versailles is an enormous complex, and if you want to visit the different sections we’ve discussed it will require a lot of walking. Alternatively, you can rent a bike or ride the Petit Train to get around.

Both regular and electric bikes can be rented for €10,00 or €16,00 / hour respectively. The minimum hire period is 30 minutes and you can pay with cash or card. However, a valid ID is required and rentals begin at 10:00am near Little Venice on the banks of the Grand Canal.

Another great way to get around the grounds is the Petit Train . You can board the covered coach train at the north terrace after visiting the main palace. The full circuit ticket price is €8,50 and a return ticket costs €4,50. Children under 11 are free if accompanied by an adult.

9. Grab A Bite To Eat

Depending on how long you plan to spend at Versailles, you might need to grab some lunch. Inside the palace, we found the food prices to be very inflated, but you can eat at Angelina , the Grand Café d’Orléans and the ORE Restaurant .

There are two restaurants in the gardens located between the Apollo Fountain and the Grand Canal, La Petite Venise  and La   Flottille . The  Brasserie de la Girandole is a seasonal option within the Gardens as well.

We had a quick snack at Angelina and then a full sit down meal at La Flottille, a quaint 1900’s brasserie with a set menu or à la carte dishes. We ordered a Crepe Normandie for €10,00 and a royale pizza for €14,00. The prices seemed to be a little cheaper outside of the palace if you can wait.

Travel Tip : Picnics are allowed in the park between the Palace and the Trianon palaces. However, you can not picnic in the gardens and you can not bring food into the palace.

How To Get To Versailles From Paris

• Address : Place d’Armes, 78000 Versailles
• Location : Google maps

The best way to get to Versailles from Paris is by train . Use the RER Line C to Versailles Château Rive Gauche train station because this is the closest option to the palace. It will take about 30 to 45 minutes by train depending on where you start in Paris. From Versailles train station, it’s about a 10 minute walk to the palace. Here are the official time tables .

We used the train and thought it was a very efficient way to get to Versailles. It was clean and on time, and once we arrived at the train station, it was very clear how to get to the palace. If in doubt, all you need to do is follow the crowds straight to Versailles.

If you want to use the bus, the RATP bus line 171 runs between Pont de Sèvres and the Palace of Versailles. It takes about 30 minutes without traffic. Or you can use a ride share app such as Uber, but we wouldn’t recommend that option because it’ll be far more expensive.

Travel Tip : Purchase a return ticket when you first arrive at the train station to avoid the long lines coming back into Paris after your visit. All trains leaving Versailles Château Rive Gauche will go through Paris.

Here are a few photos to help you picture where you need to go:

Getting Versailles Tickets + Avoiding The Line

You can buy tickets for Versailles on site at the ticket office in the South Minsters’ Wing which is to the left of the Honour Courtyard. The lines to purchase tickets can be extremely long, we’re talking 1-3 hours and you’ll risk not being able to visit the palace because tickets can sell out.

There are many tickets options for Versailles and it can be confusing. Here are the most common ticket options:

• Versailles Palace Ticket – Palace only with audioguide included
• Garden Ticket – Free entry on days without a fountain or music show
• Passport Ticket –   Palace, Gardens and Estate of Trianon

Due to the high number of visitors everyday, admission to the Palace of Versailles can only be guaranteed by securing a ticket through online booking in advance. You should only purchase through the reputable websites we list below and you’ll need to choose a timed entry slot on the day of your visit.

We recommend avoiding the long ticket line on site and booking your ticket online in advance . There are many platforms you can purchase a ticket from including:

• Official website
• Get Your Guide

We visited with Tiqets’ Paris and Versailles bundle . It included the Louvre, Palace of Versailles and a Seine River Cruise. We could reserve a timed entry reservation for all 3 attractions and it was a little cheaper than buying all the attractions individually. Our ticket included access to the Palace of Versailles, Trianon Estate and Gardens so it’s equivalent to the Passport Ticket.

Even with a timed entry ticket, you’ll have to wait in a line with all of the other visitors who have the same time slot. After gaining entry into the palace, you’ll then have to wait in the security line which took us another 20 minutes during our visit. Unfortunately, both lines are unavoidable.

Travel Tip : If you can not purchase a ticket online in advance for the day you want to visit, you should book a guided tour to avoid the long ticket line and secure your spot. Browse tours below.

Best Tour Options

Now that you know everything you can see at Versailles, here are the top rated tour options:

• Palace and Gardens Guided Tour – This 90 minute tour utilizes a separate entrance and includes garden access.
• Half Day Palace Tour with Transport – Explore at your own pace with audioguide with roundtrip transportation.
• Full Day Tour with Gardens, Trianons + Hamlet – See everything at Versailles on this guided tour including fountain show (when applicable).
• Versailles Bike Tour – A full day bike tour of Versailles including the Palace and Trianon Estate. Entrance ticket and round trip train fares included.
• Private Golf Cart Tour – A private tour of the Versailles gardens in your own golf cart with knowledgeable guide.

Travel Tip : When buying tickets or a tour, make sure you read the fine print and understand which sections of the palace will be included.

Our Recommendations For Versailles

The top recommendation we have for Versailles is taking your time touring the palace and walking through the gardens. This should take you around 3-4 hours.

Personally, we thought it was worth visiting the Trianon Estate including the Queen’s Hamlet because the crowds were much thinner, but it will add another 2-3 hours to your visit and requires a lot of walking.

If you only have a half day to see the Palace of Versailles, you should plan to visit the Palace and some of the gardens. You won’t have enough time to see the Estate of Trianon or Queen’s Hamlet and the palace is where you should focus your time. The Estate is similar to the Palace, but on a smaller scale.

We did not visit the Gallery of Coaches or the Sculpture Gallery because we ran out of time. We wanted to see the Trianon Estate and Queen’s Hamlet since they are unique to Versailles. So if you have extra time, we’d recommend prioritizing the other estates on the grounds unless you’re interested in seeing the carriages previously used by the royals.

Tips For Visiting

After visiting ourselves, we’ve compiled a small list of helpful tips to help you make the most of your trip to Versailles:

• Buy tickets in advance online . Don’t wait until you’re at the palace to buy tickets because lines are long and they might sell out.
• Visit during the week . Weekends are the busiest times at Versailles so visit on a weekday to avoid the larger crowds.
• Audioguides are available . Offered in 12 different languages, this is a great option of you want to learn about the palace, but don’t want to book a tour.
• Plan to spend a whole day at versailles . There is so much to see, we recommend making an entire day of it.
• Free admission is granted the first Sunday of every month from November to March . However, you’ll still have to book a time slot to visit the palace.
• Guided tours give you access to closed rooms . Most visitors follow the general tour route, but you can visit lesser known locations often closed to visitors by booking one of these tours .
• Wear comfortable shoes . Your visit to Versailles will include a lot of walking so make sure you wear shoes that won’t hurt your feet.
• Prepare for the weather . When waiting in line for the palace, you’ll be exposed to the elements so plan accordingly.

Our Versailles Photos

We spent an entire day at Versailles and tried to see as much as possible. Here are a few of our favorite photos:

More Paris Guides

• How to spend a weekend in Paris
• What’s the best Paris attraction pass?

Want more France content? Head over to our France Travel Guides to explore Paris and beyond.

We hope our guide to visiting the Palace of Versailles as a day trip from Paris helps with planning your itinerary!

Please let us know if you have any questions about Versailles in the comments below.

Happy Travels ,

Mark and Kristen

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Mark and Kristen Morgan are travel, hiking and photography experts. Over the last 6 years traveling full time, they have explored more than 40 countries and 30 US states.

Where Are Those Morgans has been featured in USA Today, Gestalten, Get Your Guide, CityPASS and Condé Nast Traveler along with various other publications. Read more about us .

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Paris for beginners; a basic visitors guide for the City of Light

T wenty-four years ago, we spent nine days in Paris, working out of a Frommer’s Guidebook. That self-guided trip worked, but about half the time, we were either confused about our whereabouts or lost. This time, we were in France for two weeks, where our river cruise would include 5 days in Paris and 10 days cruising the Seine River to Normandy. All our days would be directed by professional guides, something new to treasure at this stage in our lives. 

From this trip, I’ve tried to outline a first-time Paris visitor’s guide. It’s wise for travelers to outline their key targets in advance - is your trip devoted to seeing the sights, touring the museums, fine arts and fashion, food and wine, sports, or the Parisian laid-back lifestyle?

Before our Grand Circle Cruise (from Paris down the Seine River to Normandy and the D-Day beaches), we had booked the pre-trip tour of Paris. So, off we went, flying from Sacramento to Atlanta, then on to Charles DeGault Airport, and then shuttled to the Citadines Center Saint Germain Hotel. Just blocks down the Seine River from Notre Dame Cathedral; only a few blocks further downriver is the Louvre Museum.   From this location on the river, we could virtually walk to about 80% of the critical destinations we wanted to revisit.

Paris, with an estimated population of almost 2.2 million and a metro area of approximately 12 million, makes up 20% of the total French population. The city is the fifth most populated in the European Union and one of the more densely populated cities in the world. With scores and scores of major attractions, many are within short walking distance. The city was among the first to electrify and expand its street lights, earning it the title “City of Light.”

For centuries, Paris has been a center of the world’s finance, diplomacy, commerce, fashion, gastronomy and culture. We have seen many of the key attractions the City of Light offers, spread amongst the city's 20 arrondissements (districts). The city’s Metro (subway), the second largest in Europe, will get you quickly around the city within a few blocks of your destination, all hours of the day.

On our first evening of our Paris pre-trip, some of our fellow travelers booked dinner and a cabaret show at the famous Moulin Rouge, quite a stunning performance. We chose to explore restaurants blocks from our hotel, choosing a lovely sidewalk café near a Metro entrance/exit, allowing us to people-watch Parisians; all in all, it was a lovely evening.

Museums? It’s said you could do a different museum every day for a year and not run out of destinations to visit. Start with the Louvre or the d’Orsay Museum. If fine arts or museum experience is your primary focus, it helps to build a target list in advance with so many choices. The Trip Advisor app is always helpful, as is the Paris official website.

At the Louvre, the largest and most visited museum in the world, take the time to home in on the Mona Lisa and Michelangelo’s statue of David. Leonardo da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa in the early 1500s by an Italian noblewoman, eventually acquired by the French nation and permanently displayed in the Louvre since 1797.

Musée d'Orsay is found on the Left Bank of the Seine. Sited in the former Gare d'Orsay, a Beaux-Arts railway station built 1898-1900, the museum holds mainly French impressionist and post-impressionist art dating from 1848 to 1914, including paintings, sculptures, furniture, and photography. While still a vast museum, it feels more intimate than the Louvre.

With one full day in Paris, we took in the Louvre (briefly), the Musee d'Orsay,  the Eiffel Tower, and the Palace of Luxenberg and Luxenberg Gardens, though we hiked over 10 miles that day. With lovely sidewalk cafés at almost every intersection, there is no lack of libation stops along your way.

The Eiffel tower is visible from many locations in the city. Built for the 1889 World’s Fair and designed to last just 20 years, the tower was so famous and profitable that it was never removed. Take an evening stroll along the river (or a river cruise) and admire the Eiffel Tower with sparkling, twinkling lights at night for a truly memorable experience.

Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral (meaning "Our Lady of Paris"), referred to simply as Notre Dame, is a medieval Catholic cathedral built on an island in the Seine River, a fine example of French Gothic architecture. Attributes such as the pioneering use of ribbed vault ceilings and flying buttresses, beautiful rose windows, and over-achieving sculpture set it apart from other cathedrals nationwide.

A devastating fire in April 2019 has closed the cathedral to a complicated and expensive renovation, not to be completed until sometime late in 2024. One can still circle the cathedral to see the construction work progressing.

On another full day, we visited the Sacré-Cœur Basilica on the summit of the  butte  of  Montmartre . This beautiful church is one of the more popular tourist destinations in the city, while the Montmartre District offers intriguing shops and restaurants circling the hills.

Once again, first-time visitors should organize their thoughts and plans before venturing into this lovely City of Light - and plan a series of stops for food and drink to enjoy the laid-back Parisian lifestyle so closely aligned with hundreds of outdoor sidewalk cafés.

For more information

Grand Circle Cruises,  GCT.com ; Paris official visitor site,  parisjetaime.com ; TripAdvisor travel app.

Contact Tim, [email protected]; where are you traveling?

This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: Paris for beginners; a basic visitors guide for the City of Light