First trip to Paris in December- would you go to Versailles?

Do you like that sort of thing? IE, Renaissance palaces? If not, the answer is easy.

If the idea appeals to both of you, then you ought to weigh it against what you would otherwise do, either in Paris or as a day trip elsewhere.

If seeing the grounds and the other palaces at Versailles would tip the balance for you, then that's an argument for waiting.

Good question, Adam! We went to Italy on our honeymoon, and one of the unexpected highlights for us was the Doge's Palace in Venice. On the other hand, we much preferred the Boboli Gardens to Pitti Palace in Florence.

See how you feel after what you cover the first few days there.
The time is low-season so I would make that decision while I'm there.

I agree with the last poster. For me, a first visit of just a week wouldn't include Versailles, especially in December. There's too much else to see and do in the city, and December isn't a great time for the Versailles gardens. On the other hand, the palace and other buildings should be less crowded than in summer, and advance tickets shouldn't be needed. Make your decision when you get to Paris based on weather and what priorities you choose once you're there. By the way, Versailles isn't really a Renaissance palace, it was built in the 17th century and owes a lot more to the Baroque style.

You didn't ask, but I'd make the same suggestion about the Eiffel Tower for pretty much the same reasons -- advance tickets might not be needed, and your enjoyment will depend at least partly on the weather. (If you want an easier, more sheltered birds-eye view, consider the Tour Montparnasse.)

You can also get an awesome view of Paris from the plaza in front of Sacre Coeur. If you don't fancy walking up massive numbers of stairs, take a taxi to the top of Montmartre and then ride the finicular down.

I've been to Versailles in December--New Years Eve day to be exact--and it was shoulder to shoulder busy. The Hall of Mirrors is quite the sight, but to me the palace would be so much better with, you guessed it, half the people they allow in at a given time The gardens, Hamlet, Petit Trianon were much less crowded and more enjoyable. Fountains are off, statues covered, and trees bare. Versailles was not the most memorable place in terms of everything we saw in Paris the week we were there. I think you can have a lovely trip without it, especially since you only have 5 days, but in the end, do what most interests you.

Agree that view from Sacre Coeur is fantastic. Montmartre is especially nice if you can amble up the backstreets to reach the top. I think Rick Steves has a Monmartre walk in the Paris guidebook or on this website you can follow.

We've been in January and it was wonderful - no crowds - the hall of mirrors was almost empty. We skipped the gardens and just stuck to the palace.

The first half of December is typically a slow travel time as most are getting ready for holidays while the week between Christmas & New Years is usually pretty busy.

A good gauge to use whether your travel dates are busy is your hotel rate.

Here are some tips on days to visit:

http://palaceversailles.com/your-personal-visit/attendance/

If by chance it should snow or freeze, the statues will all be covered up.
I'd wait until Spring, when the trees and flowers have leafed out.

It may be helpful for you to do a search of this forum to get other opinions on whether to go to Versailles at all with only five days in Paris. That's what I did and decided to skip Versailles only to change my mind at the last minute. My wife and I visited Versailles late last fall and are very disappointed that we gave-up another day in Paris or another day trip from Paris for Versailles. If size matters then it may be worth the hour and a half or so waiting in the possible rain and cold of the security line and the underwhelming presentation of rooms once you get in. Yes, the gardens are huge but nothing special. Not trying to talk you out of going but to suggest that you consider if Versailles is really a must see for your trip.

It is true that when we went in December, the Hall of Mirrors was very dark, indeed. There was not a lot of light in there, because it was so gloomy outside.

I agree with others. Your time in Paris will be limited. I wouldn't rule going to Versailles, but I would not pre-plan to go.

It will eat up much of the day to go. You'll have to decide how important it is to you. Personally, if I was to make a day trip from Paris it would be to see Monet's gardens, but at another time of the year.

We flew back from Paris yesterday. My wife had to go to London for work and we scooted over to Paris for a couple of days, the first time we'd been there since 1966!

One of the things I wanted to do was to spend time in the neighborhood just relaxing, but we didn't have the kind of time to do that. However, the weather was gorgeous and we spent a significant amount of time outside just walking the streets. Our backup plan was more museums if the weather was uncooperative.

Have you reserved accommodations? If not, I highly recommend Alcove and Agapes. We found a wonderful place through them. It was the top floor of our hosts' home. It was the only room they rent and it was in a quiet neighborhood of Montparnasse. Alcove and Agapes have listings throughout Paris so you can choose the area in which you stay. Our hosts, Erik and Dominique went out of their way to make us feel at home. Our room was very comfortable. If you like a more authentic experience rather than what you'd experience in a hotel. I checked the cost of a room at the Marriott that was near where we stayed and the rooms were double what we paid.

If weather permits, I also highly recommend a nighttime tour of Paris in a vintage Citroen 2CV. We used 2CVParis Tour and had a blast! Our driver Pierre is also a musician. When I mentioned we were from Macon, Georgia, he immediately pulled up Otis Redding on his iPhone and played it through a little speaker in the car. His descriptions of Paris was interspersed with the music of Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, Albert King, Leon Russell, The Doors, Edith Piaf and Josephine Baker! We sang along to the songs while riding down the Champs Elyse and the neighborhood streets. It was a blast!

Thank you all for the helpful responses and suggestions! I think we may wait to see how we feel and how the weather is when we get there- it sounds like there isn't a rush in December, so less of a need to pre-plan. From what I've read and learned from you all, I think we would enjoy it if we went, but I also don't think we would be disappointed if we decide to prioritize staying in Paris proper to explore more in-depth there.

Yes, wait and see about the weather and what interests you. I always go with a plan for each day, but move things around based on weather, energy level, and new things we find once we arrive. You might pencil in Versailles for a day, but give yourselves permission to change plans. Do not pre-purchase tickets!

With five full days I would consider a plan of attack that utilises a Four Day Paris Museum Pass from Thursday to Sunday.

Thursday 7 Dec
•Sainte-Chapelle (Opens 9am)
•Cluny Museum or Panthéon
•Luxembourg Gardens
•Musee d'Orsay
(Closes late Thu at 9.45pm)

Friday 8 Dec
•Arc de Triomphe (Opens 10am)
•Palais Garnier Opera
•Tuileries Gardens (Orangerie)
•Louvre Museum
(Closes late Wed,Fri at 9.45pm)

Saturday 9 Dec
•Notre-Dame de Paris (Towers open 10am)
•Picasso Museum
•Place des Vosges
•Centre Pompidou
(Closes late at 10pm - ex Tue)

Sunday 10 Dec
•Versailles (keep the option open)

Monday 11 Dec
•Eiffel Tower (Opens 9:30am)
•Sacré-Coeur & Montmartre
•Evening Seine Cruise

I would just wander around Paris, and not take in as many museums if you don't care for them.
You only have 5 full days...and you will have plenty to do in Paris.
You will probably have to rest more than you realize, if you're pregnant.

Get a good map - the "L'Indispensable" is a small blue book available in any newsstand or bookstore for around 6 EU.

Has a Metro map, Bus map, and all the streets are there, so you won't get lost.

Go or don't go to Versailles? It's really a question only you can answer. If it's a top sight for you, go. If there are other sites that interest you more, skip Versailles this trip and stay in Paris. You really should use your days to see the things you most want to see. Five days is good, but I guarantee you will leave some sights for next time because there is so much to see.

I went to Versailles the first weekend of last October. I had decided to skip it my first Paris trip but met a French woman who invited me. We lucked out, sort of, because the fountains were running. It was good but not as great as I thought it might be. I wouldn't go to great lengths to be there on a fountain day. We were very lucky that rain was forecast but didn't really materialize, so we had a very nice uncrowded day both inside the palace and in the gardens. That's true of major sights where I grew up like Disneyland and the San Diego Zoo, much of the crowd will skip a day where rain is forecast. The smaller crowd IMO is more valuable than perfect weather.

I'm kind of amazed that no one recommends Cathedral Sainte-Chapelle, to my taste the best in all the world for stained glass. I'd certainly go there, instead of Versailles, which I found a little over-rated, and that was during the summer when the gardens were in full bloom.

The Ste-Chappelle is a wonderful place to visit, very close to Notre Dame, and much easier to get to than Versailles. It would be worth seeing on a five-day visit, I think. But it's not really an alternative to Versailles because it's a small exquisite late-Gothic royal chapel (not a cathedral) in the city's heart instead of a humongous Baroque palace miles from the city.

One caveat -- the Ste-Chappelle is located within a courthouse complex, so getting in requires a more serious security check than for a typical museum. That takes time and the line can be long, so best to plan a visit early or late in the day (when any sunlight will shine through the windows, a bonus). It's easily combined with Notre Dame and the Roman site just beneath the square in front of Notre Dame.

Sainte-Chapelle is only worth going to if you have a sunny day - otherwise, the effect of the stained glass will be lost on you. I'd go around 1 PM.

One caveat -- the Ste-Chappelle is located within a courthouse complex, so getting in requires a more serious security check than for a typical museum. That takes time and the line can be long

Sainte-Chapelle is only worth going to if you have a sunny day - otherwise, the effect of the stained glass will be lost on you. I'd go around 1 PM.

We just returned from Paris and visited Ste. Chappelle. The line took maybe 10 minutes. They run your bags through an X-Ray machine like they do at the airport.

The day we went was partly cloudy, with the sun peeking in and out of the clouds. It's amazing how much the character of the windows change. We were there about 2:00 and the sun shone on the windows on the west side. They were brilliant! It's well worth a visit.

I have been to Paris three times and have not made it to Versailles yet. I just have not made it a priority because there are so many other things to do.

I think Versailles is worth seeing. For such a short trip to Paris, I might not do it - but you might consider that this is a great time to see versailles because it is mobbed in spring and summer. If you plan to return to Paris (I highly recommend it) I would probably do it now.
I saw it years ago when it was not so crowded, and I'm glad I did. sue