A bit confused about the ticket options for Versailles

the gardens are free except during fountain shows. They are not included during fountain shows on the pass. Unless there is an option to reserve a ticket with the pass, the pass is not a good deal because you have to stand in the long line at entry. If you book a timed entry you enter at a different spot.

Perhaps during COVID things have changed and others will chime in.

The night shows make return to Paris tricky so make sure you can.

the gardens are free except during fountain shows. They are not included during fountain shows on the pass. Unless there is an option to reserve a ticket with the pass, the pass is not a good deal because you have to stand in the long line at entry. If you book a timed entry you enter at a different spot.
Perhaps during COVID things have changed and others will chime in.

Oh gotcha, I haven’t booked the Paris museum pass yet. Would you say it’s worth it for the other attractions? Or better to just pay separately for each museum?

The night shows make return to Paris tricky so make sure you can.

Will take a look! If I can find a good way to get back to Paris would you say it’s worth it?

The Museum Pass can be good for a first timer hitting tons of included sites, but during COVID where you have to make reservations anyway most places, it doesn't offer the line cutting spontaneity that made it particularly useful. AND it no longer allows multiple entries. IN the past you could go to the Louvre 3 times for 2 hours each rather than 'getting your money's worth' byt spending 6 or 7 hour marathons there. Or you could dip into a place for half an hour and if you liked it come back later and spend more time.

I would just book individual tickets, but you can see if it would be a good deal for you by looking at your plans and seeing if it is a money saver. Most places have systems to allow reservations with the pass.

I was planning on going on Saturday specifically for the light show. Is this a good choice?

There is so much to see and do at Versailles, depends on how much time you want to spend. Did you want to tour the inside of the Château? The Trianons? Marie Antoinette’s Farm? Rent a bike?

The September 25 Saturday Night fountains light show will be really different. It will feature taped electro music throughout the gardens by some of France’s well known electro musicians, along with the lighting effects and 15 minutes of fireworks at the end (11:05 pm). Not your everyday Musical Gardens experience.

Getting back to Paris after the light show...You should be able to walk back to the Versailles Château Rive Gauche station in time to catch the last RER C train at 11:55 pm. Because of construction on this line, you will need to transfer along the way. The Citymapper app and Transilien.com site can help. I’ve attended a number of evening performances at the Château and have always managed to get the last RER C.

If you do miss it, there’s the Bus 171 to Pont de Sèvres where you can transfer to a night Bus to Cluny/St Michel area.

Overall details on travel to Château de Versailles:
https://en.chateauversailles.fr/plan-your-visit/practical-information

Hi Barbara,

Yes I wanted to do all those things. I was planning on doing a whole day dedicated to Versailles, starting in the morning. Would that allow me time to do those things?

Glad to hear there are backup options to get to Paris!

Yes you can definitely do it all on September 25 and then see the Nocturnes Electro the same night. But it will be a long day. And, to prepare for the Nocturnes, the entire Château and park close at 5:30 pm on the 25th...you will have 3 hours to wait for the Park to reopen at 8:30 pm. Perhaps supper and a walk around Versailles town?

If this seems like too much Royal splendor for one day, you could always do the Château, Trianons and Hameau on another day. And return on Saturday night just for the Nocturnes show.