Versailles Self Tour

One thing that we did when visiting Versailles that was a lot fun was to rent bicycles. We were able to ride out to the Hamlet and visit many of the gardens without expending a lot of energy or time.

Thanks- will definitely consider this. Sounds like a great way to see the grounds! Were you able to rent the bikes at Versailles?

when we were there in 2014 you could rent bikes in the gardens , near the lake. it would be a good ideas as the grounds are very large. we did not bother. they did want you to leave a credit card with them as a deposit. the main reason why we did not rent the bikes.

Generally, from central Paris you take RER Line C to Versailles Rive Gauche (also now called Chateau Versailles station). It's about a 45 minute ride and you MUST have a ticket for the trip to Versailles (a pass or transfer ticket is only valid in central Paris). Be sure to board the correct train - the line splits and goes to other destinations.

Lines to enter the Palace are very long. Ticket and security both. Most people avoid this by either showing up before they open or late in the afternoon.

The gardens are free unless it is a day where they run the fountains. Then you pay an extra fee to enter. The formal gardens are easy to explore on foot but the Trianons and Hamlet are quite a distance. There are trams to ride, bikes to rent or just walk. There are services on the grounds or you can bring a picnic lunch and enjoy down by the canal.

A half day will allow you to see the Palace and maybe see a peek of the gardens. Don't under estimate how massive the chateau is. To see most of it you would need a full day or more.

We were able to rent the bikes in the garden. They came with a bike lock so we didn't have to worry about someone taking them. There was a great snack bar next to the bike rental with nice benches to sit at and just relax after the bike ride. There were restrooms there also. I think you had to leave some ID or a deposit when you rented the bikes.

Huge place! It's one of those instances I'd suggest a tour just based on the scale of the place and how long it could take to cover areas on your own. My wife and I used http://www.bikeabouttours.com/_2016/biketour_versailles.htm

The guide, we had Mark met us in front of Notre Dame and then ushers you to Versailles via train where you first get your bikes then head to a market to grab some goodies for a picnic - wine, cheese, bread, meats, whatever. You ride and walk all over the grounds from town with solid commentary and a colorful personality. At the end, you're free to wonder the palace with the provided audio companion and you have your own train ticket back so you can go through at your own pace.

We did a different tour around Paris the day prior and I decided it would be well worth the price to snag the Versailles trip 2 days later. It was a warm one that day - we're 30ish and in shape so it was never an issues - had some folks I reckon' in their 50s and some others around our age who hadn't ridden a bike for some time - all did fine!

Thanks ciel0-
I took my trip in early April and took the train from Paris to Versailles. Very easy trip from Gate du Nord I believe. I rented a bicycle on the grounds of the gardens and tooddled around the vast grounds to the Grand and Petit Trianons and the Queen's Hamlet. That time on the bicycle was truly one of the great memories of my amazing trip! Easy to see why Marie Antoinette loved it so!
Thanks again for your input!
Donna