Hello fellow travelers.
I just got back from Versailles.
Here are my tips.
Go to Saturday night fountain and fireworks show! Gorgeous! All fountains running!
I recommend the royal serenade also on Saturday nights. You buy tickets for a group of about 100 to go through about 10 rooms including the royal chapel and the hall of mirrors. They have a little show along the way, singing, dancing and music. The real value is it’s just your small group as they do this event after the palace is closed.
We did the 7:00 royal serenade and then went to the gardens for the fountain show and fireworks.
The day fountain shows be careful. They only run certain fountains at certain times. They are all listed on the website, but we were disappointed that they didn’t all run all day like they did at fireworks show.
Wear closed toe shoes! Preferably walking or running shoes! Do NOT wear sandals, Tevas, Keens, etc. The walking paths are all dirt and tiny pieces of gravel and will hurt your toes. Your shoes and clothes will be dusty and dirty.
Keep RER ticket! You need it to exit the station at Versailles.
If you are taking the RER back to Paris, buy your ticket ahead of time to avoid big queues at the station after the show.
Use the loo before starting the garden tour. There is one that’s hard to find underneath the official picnic area as you face the palace all the way to the left of the palace. Go down some stairs. It in not well marked with signs although it is on the map.