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Versailles - August 15

Hello,

We were planning on visiting Versailles on August 15th and are looking at ticketing options. It looks like we can easily still buy a timed ticket, but we were considering doing the tour. When I go to book the tour, it won't allow me to select that date (the 14th is available and the 16th is sold out). I also see that they're doing the musical gardens that day. Is there something special going on that wouldn't allow for tours? Should we look for a private tour (unsure that we want to spend the extra for that) or just do a timed ticket? Thanks!

Posted by
888 posts

Not sure what you mean by "tour". Do you mean the times tour you said was available? Are you accessing the site from a PC or a tablet? I have a fire tablet and often find websites that I can use some features but not all.

Posted by
178 posts

Sorry, I meant that we wanted to do the tour of the King's Rooms however it's greyed out (not sold out, which is red). I'm accessing it from a PC. I'm assuming it has something to do with the public holiday, but didn't know if anyone had more information. The latest timed ticket is 1:00, so we will probably do that to hopefully avoid some of the crowds (not sure if that's even possible).

Posted by
888 posts

Yep, very hard to avoid crowds there in the summer. The musical gardens are worth seeing. At least one has the fountains spraying in sync with the music. Be prepared to walk a lot. The place is huge.

Posted by
227 posts

Jennifer, I am not sure if this has anything to do with the King's Apt. tour not being available, but I booked our Passeport ticket for entry for September 15th yesterday in addition to looking for the King's Apt. tour. When I looked at all of the tours that are available there was a note that the King's Apt. tour is being replaced by something called the "Visite Guidee" as of September I believe. So I chose that one which was offered at 9:30 only in English and it is 10 euros. So the total for our two passeports and the two guided tours is 74 euros. I wonder if they are not showing the King's Apt. tour on your date because they are not sure which tour might be offered at that point. I think that there was also something in the info that caused me to think certain areas are being updated/renovated so that may be why the schedule is in flux. You might try just looking at other dates before and after August 15 to see what it says on various days.

Posted by
178 posts

Yeah, I saw that they're replacing the tour in September. The day before (August 14) is available to book, but unfortunately we're travelling from Lyon on that day and would have to go all the way to Paris to drop luggage off so it wouldn't really work. The day after (August 16) shows that it's all sold out. I'm wondering if they just aren't doing tours that day. I'll have to see if hubby thinks it's worth paying for a private tour of Versailles. If you do a timed ticket, do you at least get to skip some of the long lines?

Posted by
227 posts

I am assuming the timed ticket helps with the lines since you are paying the extra. From other posts I had read, the guided tour also lets you enter through a different spot which cuts down on the wait as well, although they say you should still arrive early because you will go through security. I am glad I have everything booked based on your experience. I tried to do it a couple of weeks ago and you couldn't book as far out as Sept. 15th yet at that time. So tickets must sell quickly once dates become available. Good luck with whatever you choose, it's all good I'm sure and even with the timed entry you will have the audioguide for going to many areas inside the palace.

Posted by
35 posts

August 15 is the holiday called the Assumption of Mary, but don't know if that has anything to do with your issue. I have been in France on this holiday before but it was a long time ago. I expect that holiday or no, it will be busy since it's August.

We have timed tickets for the 16th for the palace and gardens but got them in May. Hope you can get it figured out.