Strike at Versailles?

That's disappointing. Same thing happened to us at the Eiffel Tower, except they didn't send any notifications to us about the strike. We only learned after we arrived with our timed entry tickets. At least they told you about it BEFORE you showed up at the gates.

Two years ago I arrived at 9:00 AM. And there was an unexplained "labor action." It was chilly and raining lightly. I could make the most of it, sitting on a wet bench and ducking into the souvenir shop to warm up. I felt especially sorry for the bus loads of school children who came to visit and had to wait, standing with their groups in the court yard, for an hour and a half before the Palace finally opened. Check to see if the strike is an all day event or just for a few hours.

Judy,

According to the Versaille Tourism website:http://www.versailles-tourisme.com/en/archives/news/details/article/strike-notice.html

Because of a strike notice, the openning of the Palace should be delayed

You might be interested in reading this:https://rachelinireland.com/2016/05/31/a-strike-wont-stop-us-seeing-versailles/

So... "The opening of the Palace should be delayed".... There is hope that they will open at a later hour...?

You may try contacting the Versailles TI & asking them what time the Palace is expected to open on Thursday.

Unfortunately there are some rumblings of a general strike to take place on Thursday September 15th. I'm not yet sure how big it will be, but this is some unwelcome evidence.

For what it's worth, when I visited Versailles, there was a strike. The palace was closed. But the guards and ticket takers who work at the gates to the gardens were also on strike. Which meant that the gates were hanging open and the site was free. All may not be lost . . .

This just popped up on the US Embassy FB feed regarding a general strike on Sept 14/15.

https://fr.usembassy.gov/security-message-general-strike-france-september-14-15-2016/

Judy,

I contacted the Versailles Tourism office via email yesterday, after I replied to your post, & I received this email today:

Good afternoon Mrs ___________,

Indeed on September,15th we expect a strike at the palace of
Versailles.

Actually on this Thursday, there will be a staff-meeting in the
morning, so we will know only after 10:30 am if the palace will open
or not, and which parts of the area will be opened precisely in the
day.

Currently we can’t give you other information, because we will know
everything on Thursday after 10:30.

I suggest you to check on the palace website
http://www.chateauversailles.fr/homepage to be sure what will happen.

For sure, the palace will remain close until 10:30.

Best regards,

Julia ROYNETTE

Service Accueil

Tél. +00 33 (0)1 39 24 88 88 - Fax. +00 33 (0)1 39 24 88 89

2 bis Avenue de Paris 78000 VERSAILLES
Une-visite-differente-chaque-jours

So, If I were you, I'd show up at Versailles & see what happens.

Good luck!

Priscilla

And if there is also a metro/RER strike, as it likely, it might be challenging to even get to Versailles ...
I hope that you have good luck with all of this!

If there is a Metro/RER strike, you can still get to Versailles via train :-)

You can check train schedules to Versailles here: http://www.transilien.com

There is never a full shutdown of the Metro/RER/Bus system in Paris during any strike.
There will be a reduced schedule, and probably delays and some cancellations, but you can always get from Point A to Point B.

Judy,

I'd be interested to know the outcome.

I hope you post an update later today or tomorrow.
Thanks!