It sounds as though the Passport with Timed Entry is the way to go at Versailles. Reports are that there is a separate entrance for visitors with these timed tickets and the wait is minimal. My question is about children. I believe children 17 and under enter for free and do not need tickets. Is this true for the timed entry line (priority access through entrance A) as well? In other words, if my husband and I purchase timed entry tickets, can our children enter with us through entrance A? Thank you!
Posted by
Twin Cities, Minnesota
2001 posts
http://en.chateauversailles.fr/plan-your-visit/conditions-free-admission#free-admission This link from the Versailles website outlines who qualifies for free admission and which entrance. It mentions providing proof, so be sure to have the child's passport with you.
Posted by
11 posts
Hello, Children under 17 are NOT free. Children residing in the European Union and EU students with appropriate EU student identification are free. If you are a non EU visitor, you need a ticket.
Posted by
34 posts
We did the timed entry with two kids but did pay a kids' rate. I think this could be because it was a day the musical fountains were going, and I don't think kids over 5 are free for that. I guess this isn't much help, but the timed entry did work really well.
Posted by
OP
California
18 posts
Thank you so much for your replies. mlneedham 2, do you have personal experience with non-EU children not being let in for free? I ask because I've seen discussions online about the confusion around this. My reading of the website is that ALL children (EU and non-EU) under 18 can enter for free. Additionally, youth ages 18-26 who are EU residents can also enter for free.
"Admission to the Palace and the Estate of Trianon is free for visitors under 18 years and EU residents under 26 years."
and elsewhere on the site:
"Upon presentation of proof, admission is free for: under-18s, European Union residents under 26, schoolchildren, teachers in a French establishment with a Pass Education, disabled people and the person accompanying them, job seekers in France and recipients of minimum social benefits upon presentation of proof dated no more than 6 months previously, Ecole d’Art students."
These two quotes make me think it is all kids under 18.
I now see that when I go to the online ticketing for the Passport with Timed Entry, it asks how many adults and how many children. I haven't purchased yet, but when you enter number of children, the price for their tickets is listed as 0.00. I'm hoping this means they will be free. The slightly confusing part is that there is mention of a reduced 10 euro price for timed entry tickets for under-18s, but I think it is only for days when the musical fountains are happening? The syntax on that part of the website is a bit unclear.
Posted by
Chicago
8560 posts
ALL children 17 and under are free, the poster who suggested otherwise is simply wrong. The child is unlikely to be asked for ID unless an older teen who might appear 18 but you should always have at least a copy of everyone's passport when out and about. And yes the fee for the passport on fountain days for kids is for the gardens; everyone has to pay for gardens on fountain days or for special tours like the King's Apartment Tours.
Posted by
OP
California
18 posts
Thank you for confirming what I suspected. I did go ahead and purchase our timed entry tickets. I was able to get two tickets for my husband and I which were €20 each, and two tickets for my children that were free but have the timed entry on them. I hope this helps others who are wondering.