Versaille advice

Regarding food, we took advantage of the RS guide's tip about the Hotel Ibis, which is right on your way from the train station to the chateau. They have a breakfast buffet, and in the afternoon we went there again for a late lunch/ midafternoon snack. The food was good and the prices reasonable. The photo on the home page here shows the informal eating area in the background.

https://all.accor.com/hotel/1409/index.en.shtml

11:30 is doable but you will need to get your crew up and out. Take the train, it’s easy. I am not sure with the changes made during Covid but if I could impart one secret it is do NOT go into the palace first. The last time we were there we went around the back of the palace and rented a golf cart. You may need two. I think they hold 4-6. Drive it out to Marie Antoinette’s gardens and see that, then drive around and see some more of the grounds (they are vast). There is a restaurant out there on the far end of the gardens. We stopped there for lunch. Then return the cart at the palace and start your visit. All the morning hordes will be done by then and it will be much less crowded. You’ll enjoy it more. One time we did take a tour too, and that was nice as we got to see some rooms the regular crowds do not. Anyway not sure if they are still doing the golf carts but if so it saves lots of time and major walking, and is fun, as well as puts you on the opposite schedule of most who do palace first and then the grounds.

I believe tickets are timed now so you need to go to the palace when you have booked it; the nice thing is that the timed tickets mean you don't wait endlessly in the long security line of the past.

The train is the best way, with the help of local buses in Versailles depending on your route - because there are several routes depending on your departure point in Paris.
The Citymapper app is probably the best way to plan for such public transportation trips and get directions. Google Maps is not very good for that as it struggles to keep track of disruptions.

Train from Paris to Versailles is easy. Get early tickets to best avoid the crowd.

Thanks to everyone for this advice. We will aim to get there at 11:30 and since my girls are dying to see Versaille I will count on them waking up! Great to know about the restaurant as well. I'm sure we will work up an appetite and want to eat before boarding the train back to Paris.

There are also restaurants right at the base of the gardens as well as a very good ice cream kiosk.

Sounds great. We are always up for ice cream! Bought tickets for 12 because the 11:30 was sold out. It looks stunning.