We plan on going to Versailles on the last Thursday in March. I am considering visiting it in the afternoon instead of morning and using the Museum Pass. What should I expect from crowds at that time? Or will it really be worth it to get there when it opens and try to get the Front of the Line pass? Any thoughts or suggestions would be helpful. Thank you!
Posted by
9 posts
The 26th of March? I’d like to know as well because we are going on the same day. I’m torn between getting the museum pass or just buying tickets from the palace website.
Posted by
Oak Park, Illinois
4535 posts
It is impossible to say what the crowds will be on any specific day, but in general Versailles is crowded all year long. There may be school groups and for sure lots of tour buses. By mid-afternoon, the groups begin to depart and things quiet down. You might be best to tour the chateau at the end of your visit and start with the gardens. I think some people here have reported good success with that plan.
Posted by
San Francisco/Marin County
9436 posts
For what it’s worth, i asked a woman selling tickets at Versailles what is the least crowded day of the week there and she said Thursday...
Posted by
Rockville, MD, USA
653 posts
I was there at the end of April in 2018 (on a Thursday). My husband and I slept late, trained to Versailles, toured the gardens, entered the Grand Trianon when it opened, ate lunch at the Petit Trianon, toured the Hamlet, went to the Palace around 3 pm. There was a very short security line, we showed our Museum Passes, and entered. The rooms were still pretty crowded but I counted the visit a success. We were exhausted afterwards and had an early dinner before training back to Paris.
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12313 posts
I don't have enough evidence to call it a theory but... When I went, early October on a garden fountain day, the crowd was remarkably sparse. I did learn you can't take a full size umbrella into the palace, you have to check it, but you can bring a fold up umbrella.
Aside from some brief sprinkles, It really didn't rain. We strolled through the grounds in comfortable weather, no umbrella needed, and ate outdoors.
The only thing I could come up with is it's like Disneyland. The best day is one with rain in the forecast because much of the crowd will pick another day to visit.