Skip the Lines-Versailles

Posted by brookw97 on 07/07/17 03:29 AM

I will be going to Paris for the first time and will also be visiting Versailles in August 2017. I've read about the crazy lines. We will be there on a Saturday. (our only other option is a Friday and I think I would really like to see the fountains on Saturday). It sounds like you can skip the lines if you either sign up for a guided tour or buy a museum pass.

Can anyone confirm if both of these methods skip the same lines? I'm just making sure one doesn't save more time over the other. I really want to avoid any lines that are avoidable, but would rather not do a guided tour if I don't have to. I understand we will still have to go through security line either way.

I also heard about entering by Trianon. Can we skip lines here as well? Is this a separate entrance?

(any extra Versailles tips welcome!)
Thanks!

Posted by Carolyn B.

07/07/17 03:48 AM

28 posts

Hello, I can speak on entering by the Trianon. Yes, this is a separate entrance (and it was hard to find via local bus), but it is far away from the Palace.

When we arrived around 1pm on a Thursday, there was no line. However, it was a long walk. There is a tram you can ride to the Palace, but I believe you can pick it up at the Queen's gate, which is a 30 minute walk away.

Posted by Carolyn

Seattle, WA, USA

07/07/17 05:14 AM

784 posts

The Museum Pass will allow you to skip the ticket line, but not the security line - this is the case at all of the attractions covered by the pass. I understand that if you book the tour of the King's Apartments, the tour uses a difference entrance, skipping the main security line, which can be quite long.

Posted by janettravels44

Chicago

07/07/17 04:15 PM

8087 posts

There is no skipping the line at Versailles except for the King's apartment tour which uses a different entrance. That long long long line out front is for security and your museum pass or tickets ahead do not allow you to bust that line. So if you have a museum pass get there at least half an hour before the Chateau opens to be close to the head of the security line. Most people in the line have tickets but the pass or ticket allows you to skip a second line inside for tickets of course.

The problem with visiting the Chateau and gardens on a fountain day is that the fountains only run an hour or so in the morning and then an hour and a half or so in late afternoon so if you do the Chateau first you miss the fountains till late in the day (and not all run at once). The Fountains are very cool and well worth a visit.
https://janettravels.wordpress.com/2016/02/15/fountains-of-versailles-a-little-chaos/

The Museum Pass often lets you use a separate security line which often is shorter e.g. at the Louvre, Orsay (critical there), Orangerie that I know of. It does not offer that benefit at Versaille. Ste Chapelle or the Tower of Notre Dame.

Posted by kellyam11

07/07/17 05:42 PM

16 posts

We were just there last Wednesday. there was only one line for security, that moved incredibly fast and only one line for the entrance that looked very long, but only took about 30-40 mins. There was no separate line for the museum pass.

Posted by brookw97 OP

07/07/17 10:06 PM

4 posts

Thanks everyone for your input, it's been very helpful in making my decisions! I think I will try for the Kings Apt tour.