We're in France in mid-October and had planned on going to Versailles on a Sunday. We've read in Rick's guidebook that Sundays are to be avoided because of the crowds but we'd have to basically rearrange our entire trip including rental cars and hotel rooms to avoid going on Sunday.
Will we be OK in mid-October?
No real way to avoid crowds at Versailles. That being said, plan to visit the palace early, go before they open - you'll still have lines for security but a better chance of beating the tour bus crowds which descend about 9:30-10:00. Also you can do the grounds first and see the palace later in the day (after 3 or 4 pm) when the tour bus crowds have left. At least in October the crowds will be slightly less than in summer.
Edit: also see this recent post - https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/france/versailles-yes-or-no
Skip Versailles. There are so many great things to do and see in Paris that if a trip to Versailles is going to be a big hassle or cause you to rearrange the trip, just don't go. It is basically a whole day and from a lot of reports lately the security lines and crowds are oppressive and just not worth wasting a day on.
We were there in April (which I would consider maybe similar to October crowds?) a couple of years back, and got there about 15 minutes before it opened with tickets already in hand (Paris Museum Pass). That is the only way I would recommend it if you want to minimize crowds (it will still be crowded inside, but at least you aren't standing around in a line). If you do not have your tickets pre-purchased, you will need to stand in the ticket buying line, and then once you get your tickets, you will go to the security line that grew beyond description during the fifteen minutes we were standing there. We were maybe the twentieth people in line, and things went fairly smoothly once they opened. Versailles was a priority for me, so I wouldn't recommend skipping it. Just go early (or maybe very late).
The OP said not going on a Sunday would be a big hassle. Don't skip Versailles just because other people will be there.
Be in line before they open with your palace ticket in hand, or visit the gardens first and go through the palace late in the day - about an hour before closing. The crowds are very reasonable at those times.
The gardens never get crowded and you can even find places all to your self if you wander around enough. Do visit the Trianons and the Hamlet, which won't be very crowded and are wonderful on their own.
Thanks everyone!
I feel a bit stupid because there's no such thing as Versailles without crowds. I appreciate the time you took to respond!
Maybe it will rain that day.....from our experience, that will thin the crowds. We went to Versailles in late May this year and had to go on a Tuesday -- which the RS guidebook also says to strictly avoid. Nevertheless, there was virtually no line at all at the entrance (we just walked right up and passed through the security checkpoint) nor anywhere else (Trianons, etc.) with the lone exception being inside the Palace. There, hoards of tour groups from an unnamed country blocked the hallways to the point that you had to push your way through because they had just stopped to take photos and didn't care that others wanted to pass by. Nevertheless, overall, despite getting a little wet, it was a great day. Rain or sunshine, I hope you have an enjoyable visit to Versailles.
With these replies and the link above, you have a good idea of your pros and cons. If Sunday is what works for you, then I'd go ahead and do it, but making an effort to arrive early and pray for a threat of rain.
A great way to avoid all lines, is to take a Versailles guided tour. You can book the private tour and admission on their website and print out tickets. You meet at a building on the right for your tour and then you go inside the palace as a group without waiting in any lines. The highlight of the tour for me was going inside the chapel.
After the tour is complete, you are free to explore the rest of the chateau.
Last time in Versailles I arrived 9-9:30am, did a quick tour, then left about an hour later when the tour crowds made my enjoyment impossible. Generally speaking, tours and tourists favor a 10 am arrival time at many venues. Just go early or late to miss the crowds.
