Versailles- Afternoon Crowds

The security line is as you go into the Palace (not the gardens) and it was pretty short when i was there on a weekday in April at about 2:30 or 3 pm. After the security line I waved my museum pass and went straight in. There might have been a line to purchase tickets but I didn't wait in it. Of course line lengths vary randomly, so past performance is not a guarantee.

We were there a couple of years ago and the entrance security line was blocks long mid morning; it was shorter but still not short in the early afternoon. They have since that time added a perimeter security line, so there is a bag check line to enter the palace grounds where the main security line is; people have reported that taking about half an hour in the morning, but I would think it would be shorter in the afternoon. You go through bag check and then get in the security line. There is virtually no line for just the gardens. I think there were maybe 6 people ahead of us to buy tickets.

Should you want to go to Fontainebleau, no such line experience comparable to that in Versailles at all. I went to Fontainebleau as a day trip from Paris in early May, arrived mid-morning. No lines at the entrance; at lunch time, I went into town for lunch, came back to the Chateau see the inside. More people, obviously, but no crowd to be sure.

Thank you all for your advice!

Yes, Fontainebleau is impressive and way less crowded, but there is only one Versailles.

I was there in May, the security bag check is in the front - but to be honest lines were all over the place after that- I just walked up to the very front and showed my pass and was waived thru- it is a bit chaotic- but the sheer vastness of the palace contributes to that- the cobblestone path us quite uneven so be careful walking.

Happy Travels✨💫

There is only one Versailles but if line adverse Vaux le Vicomte is IMHO the best alternative; gardens are designed by the same architect as Versailles and much more impressive than Fontainbleau