I love Versailles - but hate waiting in line and bucking the crowds. Here are a few tips to help you spend more time visiting the palace, less time in crowd control mode.

Best time to get there is early (by 9am).

If possible, arrive with tickets in hand. You’ll still have to wait in a security line, but you’ll avoid the additional wait (of half an hour or more) to buy tickets. And if you do need to buy a ticket on site, the process has been streamlined.

For those in the ticket line who don’t need to be, a friendly, multi-lingual guard circulates, reminding them that Museum Pass holders, children under 18, and older students studying in the EU can proceed directly to the security line.

But don’t get in the security line without everything you need. High school students should bring a school ID or copy of their passport to show their age. College students are only admitted free if they live in or are studying in the EU - and must have verification.

Ticket vending machines save time - but these are only for payment with a credit card.

Finally, one more detail: If you plan to visit the gardens, you may need an additional ticket. Sat, Sun (through Oct 25) and Tues (through Sept 29), the museum holds special fountain shows during the day (11-4 on the weekends, 9-5:30 on T).

Museum pass holders can buy a ticket to the gardens separately, at the entrance to the gardens. (If you’re already buying a for entry on site, choose the Chateau entry plus “Jardins Musiceaux.”) Cost is 8 euros for everyone over the age of 10.

Sun nights through Aug 22, Les Grandes Eaux combine dancing fountains, music and fireworks. You can buy these tickets at the chateau or on the website - separately or in combination with a full day’s entrance.


If you go...

Versailles is reached by RER C-5, Versailles Rive Gauche

Open T-Sun 9-6:30 in summer, 9-5:30 in winter

On the web: click here