I will be in Paris for a week in September and would like to know how I book a tour for the Palace of Versailles. What tour companies do you recommend, approximately how much were the tours per person, there will be two of us. How do you go about booking a tour? Do you bypass the lines since you are on a tour. I have been to Versailles but with RS tours only and my friend has not been to Paris and wants to see the palace and I hope to do this in the most efficient way as I have read about the long lines to get in. We would go during the week, not on the weekend. Any recommendations will be most appreciated. Thank you.
Posted by
1 posts
Hello, i will be pleased to help you as i live in Paris and work in Tourism. To give you more info and a rate i need to know if you want to book a private tour with an english speaking guide including the entrance tickets for the day or 1/2 day in Versailles ?
Posted by
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I have many of the same questions as found in the original post. I plan on visiting Versailles sometime during the first week of July with a family of 5 that includes 3 children age 14 and under. Trying to figure out the best way to see Versailles. I think we'd enjoy seeing all it has to offer; the Palace, garden, the Grand Trianon and Marie-Antoinette's Estate. A lot for one day, I'm sure. Seems like there are many options (Museum Pass, Passport, tour purchased at the Palace, or full service tour I can purchase ahead of time online that includes transportation to and from Versailles - latter may be above our budget considering we're buying for 5) and I'm trying my best to research them all to figure out the best option for us. I've also read about how insanely crowded it is so I've pretty much decided we probably will miss the fountain days and not visit on a weekend; nor a Tuesday either since that day is also supposed to be avoided. Looking at probably going on Wednesday (July 8). From what I've read the tours can be a mixed bag and it's so crowded typically that you often don't get much out of them. I guess the big decision I'm trying to make is whether it's worth the money to pay for a tour just to skip the lines at the main gate. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
We don't recommend a tour package departing from Paris, since you can easily get to Versailles on RER line C to Versailles Chateau Rive Gauche (or Versailles Chat.) for about €7 roundtrip. If you have Rick's Paris book, see more detail at the start of the Versailles chapter.
Booking a guided tour for the inside of the palace allows you to use a separate tour reservations entrance and avoid the longer security line on the main gate. You also get to see a few more rooms. For €7 over the costs of a Museum Pass or other ticket, I think that's a good deal.