We are going to Paris in February (family of 4, including two teen daughters). When we go to Versailles, we are wondering if it's worth it to get a guided tour by the palace. It's only 10 euros (which I like), but it seems that the only English tour that they are offering is "Versailles Private Side" and there aren't many details except that it focuses on Louis XV. We mostly want a general tour, unless we get advice that self-guided is the best approach. Has anyone been on the Versailles Private Side tour? Is it worth it? Thanks!
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
5440 posts
At that time of year you shouldn't have to contend with big crowds. Rick has free downloadable audioguides, including Versailles. We've used these in many places and found them very good.
Posted by
Chicago
8560 posts
The tour is used by people trying to avoid the long entry security line -- you do this tour first for about 90 minutes and then are left inside the palace where you tour the public areas on your own. It is not a tour of the main areas of the palace. The King's apartments are being renovated and so they have substituted this other behind the scenes tour. We did a similar tour and didn't find it very interesting. WE have visited many chateaux and the behind the scenes tour at Versailles was in areas not as interesting as the public areas (except the opera house, which was in fact rather interesting). We really hate lines and it did keep us from waiting in one for an hour or two. I would go and plan to get there at about 8:30 with tickets in hand so as to be near the front of the security line which even in February will not be nothing.
Posted by
OP
Seattle, WA
19 posts
Thank you! Very helpful! I think we will definitely do self-guided. We have Rick Steves' audio guides, so that should work great.
Posted by
Bend, Oregon
2548 posts
We took the Private Side tour in November and enjoyed it. This was our 3rd trip to Versailles, and we did the kings apartment tours previously.
The Private Side tour takes you to drawing rooms, private dining room, Kings bedroom and Queens bedroom, the chapel, kings bathroom-turned-office. When the tour ends you can pick up free audio guides and continue through other rooms.
We were there with our two teen boys. They couldn’t care less about listening to the audio guide. But they learned some history from the tour guide!