Need input...8 day trip to Paris, thinking of staying last 2 nights in Versailles

Personally I would love 2 nights in Versailles! I've been to the Palace on two different trips, and both times felt I did not get to appreciate it fully, especially the gardens and outlying buildings. The interior of the Palace is thronged no matter when you go, so you will be craning your necks to see anything more than the heads & shoulders of the people surrounding you -- and it will be a challenge to keep a group of 11 together! But, most visitors don't go out into the gardens, where you can easily wander for hours. You can also rent a golf cart, which is handy if you have any elderly, disabled, or very young folks in your group. And if you have 2 days you could take a different guided tour each day -- I would love that!

If you do it as a day trip from Paris, you'll want to get an early start and try really hard to be patient getting through security and coping with the crowds. Also, be sure to hold onto your return train tickets. (My husband somehow confused his train ticket with his used Metro ticket, threw it away, then had to buy another ticket to return to Paris.)

I'm not going to say no, but. First of all is everybody down with Versailles? It's not everyone's cup of tea; if you stay in Paris you can split up, go for different amounts of time, not go etc.

Second, seeing it as a day trip lets you change plans in response to the weather, if that is important to you. So if you are looking forward to seeing the grounds you can go when the sun shines.

As for transportation: If you take the RER, you have ONE transfer to get to deGaulle, if that is your airport. It might be a little chaotic, but if you move slowly as a group it ought to be doable.

Only go for it if you or the group can honestly afford and want to pay for the service of "getting all 11 of us and our luggage to Versailles, then to the airport."

If your group is interested in doing it and ok with transferring hotels, go for it. Versailles is a charming city on its own and those that want to can explore the town more or gardens (which are free as long as the fountains are not running). Kids love pools so that might allow some time for them to chill while other adults sit at a cafe and "chill."

I'd say do it! The hotel is lovely - especially the main building, which is historic and has rooms facing the grounds of Versailles (although i believe a few of the very best rooms might have views of some of the palaces themselves). There is a secondary annex building that's more modern and still nice, but not as nice (IMO) as the historic building. The whole place feels very white-pile-in-English-countryside. You can access the beautiful (and free!!) walking trails from the park entrance directly behind the hotel whenever you want, to help the kiddos burn off some energy -- you'll see people out dog-walking, bike-riding, gawking at the sheep, etc. (Of course you have to pay to see the palaces and certain parts of the grounds.) If you're a foodie and up for a treat, the Gordon Ramsey restaurant at the hotel is excellent but it may be a bit much for the kiddos, depending on their ages and levels of sophistication.

Transpo -- with a group that size you're probably best served by getting a group of taxis or Ubers or even a private car service of some kind that could offer a van or something. I took the RER from the city and walked to the hotel from the train station. I'd say it was about a mile. Pretty easy walk (flat) and it was OK for just two people with rather minimal and lightweight rolling luggage but i would not want to think about trooping 11 people plus bags for that distance.

Have fun!

When will you be there? We were just at Versailes 3 wks ago and there was not a lot of people. We walked right in, no line. Height of summer is different. Renting bikes in the gardens is super fun, highly recommend.