I'm going to be in Paris in late June, arriving from the Loire Valley on Friday around noon and departing the following Wednesday morning. I've been to Paris once before; there's still plenty I want to see in the city, but I also want to see Versailles, Giverny, and Vaux-le-Vicomte.
Obviously I can't do all three of those on this trip, but one day trip seems reasonable. I'm thinking about going to Versailles this time and saving the others for a future visit. But Versailles is also the most challenging in terms of crowds. In particular I've read that weekends and Tuesdays are the busiest days, and given my schedule, those are my only choices.
In addition, I've been dithering about what to do for too long and the King's Apartment guided tours are sold out for my entire visit, so if I go, I won't be doing that.
So I was thinking about visiting on Saturday, arriving in the early afternoon, and starting in the gardens (a suggestion I picked up from this forum). I'd visit the palace later in the day and stay for the Night Fountains show (my reason for choosing Saturday).
Is this likely to help me to avoid the worst of the crowds or is that a hopeless quest? Is there an entrance for the gardens where the security line is shorter than for the palace (I'm assuming here that you have to go through security either way).
Also, while I realize it's impossible to completely predict, am I likely to run into public transportation problems getting from Le Marais to Versailles on a Saturday due to Gillet Jaunes protests?
Finally, if I adopt this plan, is it correct that if I have a Paris Museum Pass, the only other thing I'd need is a ticket for the Night Fountains show? Or will I also need to purchase a Musical Gardens pass, and tickets to Trianon and Marie's Hamlet?
Thank you!