We arrive in Paris (morning) on the first free Sunday in November, and will spend 4 full days in the city. As museums are closed on Mondays, and Tuesdays tend to be more crowded, is it better to take advantage of Versailles or the Louvre on the free day? We are not planning to visit many other sites, so won't be buying a museum pass. I'm just wondering if Versailles will be terribly crowded even though it is considered low season. Thanks in advance!
Posted by
Kansas, United States
1078 posts
Free days are always accompanied by crowds even during the off season but if you are willing to get up early and arrive ~30 min before it opens you will do fine but if you don't arrive till mid-morning the you will wait in line, the line gets smaller mid afternoon on. Versailles is amazing and one of my favorite places in the world, the gardens and fountains are beautiful in the spring and summer, they won't be as spectacular in Novemeber but still nice. Important fact: You get your ticket from a counter or machine in the building to the left as you walk in the gates, do not just get in line, you will wait for an hour just to find out that need a ticket and you have to then go back to the end of the line. If you decide on the Louvre please get there early and use the metro entrance (the line will be much, much shorter).
Posted by
Paris, France
7 posts
I agree with the info given by Donald re queuing when at Versailles. The best way is maybe to buy e-tickets online on www.chateauversailles.fr ( you will have to chose a date and stick to it, though ).
I would personally not recommend trying to do Versailles the day of arrival, even arriving early morning. To go to Versailles takes about 30-40 mn by train plus 10-15 mn walking distance, then it is a bit challenging for someone tired, jet-lagged, uh ... ? You need to stay about 3 hrs there to fully enjoy and discover, and you won't be the only one especially on a free Sunday ( the accurate word is not mobbed, nor crowded ... PACKED, maybe ?? ). Trust me I just did that last month. Going early on Tuesday will definitely be more comfortable. Be aware that there are 2 affordable places to have lunch inside.
As for the Louvre it will definitely be crowded too but it looks more feasible on a free Sunday. Rule #1 : the earlier the better. Good luck and feel free to ask if any other detail needed.
Posted by
Cherry Hill, NJ, USA
74 posts
I was just in Paris, and the lines most places were reasonable. But I would still be nervous about a Sunday. Keep in mind, btw, that many museums (such as the Louvre) are closed Tuesday rather than Monday. I went to small museums on Monday, and that was fine if that's what you want. Note that the Louvre is open late on Wednesday and is not too crowded.
Posted by
Ohio
2141 posts
Given your circumstances, I'd choose the Louvre over Versailles. The Louvre option minimizes travel on day 1 and if the weather is crummy, you'll be inside. There will be crowds at the major works but the building itself is amazing. Have a great time in Paris!
Posted by
Savannah, GA
1337 posts
I, too, tend to avoid "free" days. I don't enjoy massive crowds, and on a normal day both of these sights are still filled with tourists.
But, if that's your choice, we're here to help.
I, too, would pick the Louvre. First, because I feel you can't visit Paris without seeing it. Even if you; re not an art lover, you can still see the biggies, enjoy the architecture and the feeling of being somewhere "great."
Versailles, while nice in its own way, is a place many people go just because they know it's in the guidebook. For casual visitors (and even history buffs) the rooms all begin to look the same after a while (except for the grand rooms)..." oh look... this room's purple... this One's green."
I would also do the Louvre because if you decide it's too packed or you're not feeling it, you're smack-dab in the center of Paris and can go see your plan B for the day. (ALWAYS have a plan "B")!
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15602 posts
What time to do arrive in Paris? Airport or train station? Take into account that you will have put your luggage somewhere (your hotel?) before you do anything else. Are you counting Sunday as a full day? Is it really? Do you think you'd be able to get to Versailles with enough time left to see it? You could plan to see the Louvre that day and if the crowds are bad, just go somewhere else.
The Louvre is open on Mondays. It's usually more crowded then because the Orsay is closed. But perhaps the day after free Sunday it won't be.
Personally, I wouldn't want to go to a top tourist attraction on "free day" just to save the entrance fee. Wednesday late afternoon through evening would be the best time to visit the Louvre, no one here has ever encountered crowds then.