Food options at Versailles

According to my timetable the first RER train of the day to Versailles Château Rive Gauche leaves central Paris around 05:30, and arrives at Versailles Rive Gauche at 06:05. Is that really the train you intend to get?

There are plenty of places to eat in the vicinity of the station but I don't think that any will be open that early. You may find a boulangerie open around 7 or so. The McDonalds near the station opens at 7am most days.

The train station for Versailles has a shop inside there that had coffee and small snacks. soda, magazines, etc. Not sure of its operating hours, however. Across the street were a couple of food outlets, along with a large number of souvenir places that may have something. I seem to recall seeing that paragon of french cuisine McDo's, which will have coffee, and should be open fairly early. :)

In the palace itself you can get coffee, sticky buns, etc. out by the train that goes to the garden (note: going there means you have to go back through the main entrance and security again) and there is a cafe in the main courtyard, but I didn't go in so don't have any details. Believe that the cafe is next to the same exit to the gardens on your right if you are looking at the main entrance from the main gate.

This may also help.

http://en.chateauversailles.fr/prepare-my-visit-/single/services

Bon Voyage and enjoy the trip!

Glenn in Tucson

There is a wonderful restaurant near the Grand Canal called La Flotille. I have eaten lunch there both times I've visited Versailles. The food is really good, the service wonderful. I highly recommend lunch at La Flotille. Enjoy your trip.

Checking Google Earth shows several cafes and restaurants along the way between the station (Rive Gauche) and the palace, including a Starbucks. We had breakfast at a café somewhere nearby when we visited several years ago, before getting in line. Not as early as that first train, though, and the crowds were still bad.

The McDonald's mentioned above also has very handy bathrooms, for before or after your visit to Versailles. The last time, in 2008, there was a long line for the ladies' room with lots of people who clearly weren't there for anything to eat or drink.

At the aforementioned McDonald's you now have a bathroom code number on your receipt altho people do hold the door open for those without passcodes. The bathrooms are fairly clean. I know that was NOT your question, but always good to know. Their iced tea or whatever they call it was terrific at the end of an exceedingly hot afternoon walking around the grounds at Versailles.

Thanks for all your help! Good to know that we will be able to get a quick breakfast before we begin our visit. I haven't checked the train schedules yet but I would like to be a bit ahead of the crowd if possible. Thanks again. Donna

@Pam-good to know. Free toilets are getting harder and harder to find in France ;-)

We were there 10 days ago. The Starbucks is right across the street from the train station. Clean restrooms and good croissants. Versailles opens at 0900 and we were in line by 0920.......too late, the tour groups soon descended and the Hall of Mirrors turned into a mosh pit of annoying tourists taking selfies. We fled for the peace of a long walk though the gardens. There are a number of restaurants in the garden as another option. In the afternoon we found a shop near the Petite Trianon that had excellent sandwiches, snacks, espresso, wine, etc., with covered outdoor seating. Plan on a full day and lots of walking.

Ed in Seattle

We were there 10 days ago. The Starbucks is right across the street from the train station. Clean restrooms and good croissants. Versailles opens at 0900 and we were in line by 0920.......too late, the tour groups soon descended and the Hall of Mirrors turned into a mosh pit of annoying tourists taking selfies. We fled for the peace of a long walk though the gardens. There are a number of restaurants in the garden as another option. In the afternoon we found a shop near the Petite Trianon that had excellent sandwiches, snacks, espresso, wine, etc., with covered outdoor seating. Plan on a full day and lots of walking.

Ed in Seattle

Went to a cozy cafe about 3 blocks from the palace , called sisters cafe , good house wine , burgers , and deli sandwiches they have paper currency from around the world ,so I had them put up a Canadian loonie and toonie on the wall . Enjoy