Versailles, yes or no?

I would book on your PMP and decide on the fly. It is never going to be not crowded from the point of view of a photographer. (note that the ordinary photo editing suite on a mac now allows you to delete people from photos). Also book on a fountain day. You can book the garden ticket that day if you decide to go -- but not the chateau ticket.

I really hate tours especially in museums. If you have any interest in the Louvre and it's art I'd go on your own as well with the tour. The tour you are on may be excellent; I remember a tour of the Hermitage when I did a river cruise from Moscow to St. Petersburg. If I had not already spent 5 days in the Hermitage on another trip I would have been so disappointed. As it was I could laugh at the terrible tour knowing I'd return the next day for a final visit on my own.

so if you love art and want to spend time on your own exploring, book another visit -- if it is less your thing or you really want to spend your time with the Impressionists at the Orsay then maybe not. You have to know yourself here.

It obviously depends on your interests. I'm a person who is not at all into "the lives of the rich and famous," not a big fan of royalty or ostentatious displays of wealth.

And yet I've been to Versailles probably four or five times over the years. The gardens are very nice as well. The fountains, well, some people like them

Even though the palace of Versailles stands for much I dislike, it's such a jaw-dropping place that I think you'd regret not visiting. If for nothing else to reflect on the abject poverty and suffering the French people underwent just so the money to build the place could be amassed. If you want people-free photos of the place, I'm sure the gift shop has a few books you could choose from. Not as fun as taking your own, but they're there.

And, having gone on the Paris and Heart of France tour before we had the opportunity to move to France, I can assure you you'll want another shot at the Louvre. The tour's visit is short, focused on just a few things, and I thought our guide was terrible. Not the overall tour guide -- just the guy they retained to go through parts of the Louvre.

I went to Paris 15 years ago and had planned to go to Versailles. While there I decided to blow Versailles off at the last minute and have regretted it for 15 years. This year we're returning to France and Paris and I found a Versailles tour that leaves from Paris and is only a half-day. I booked it for this October. A full day for Versailles, non. A half day trip, OUI.

Another vote for a follow up visit to the Louvre. If you enjoy art museums, one short guided tour will never be enough. As for Versailles, that's a tough one. I've been 3 times,never in summer, but it's always seemed crowded to me. It's up to you. But if you decide to blow it off, you might consider a visit to Fontainebleau instead.

My opinion is that the Louvre is maybe the third best art museum in Paris. Sure, there are a few well-known works that people crowd around to see, but the museum overall is way overrepresented with military art spanning a fairly narrow range of time. And it's always packed like a sardine can, which I dislike greatly.

If you aren't otherwise scheduled to visit the Musée d'Orsay, that's where I would recommend you go. The Orsay is in a category by itself for art, IMO. Need to get tickets well in advance, typically.

I've been watching a lot of travel vloggers and the tide is turning against visiting Versailles because it's just so crowded. They offer several alternatives (no I don't recall but it's an easy search on Youtube).

and yes the Orsay is a must-see, start at the top and work your way down. The less-fancy restaurant is a great place to eat and catch your breath.

Thanks to all! as usual, great info.

We will be visiting in late September. Any recommendations on the time of day that's best as far as crowds? We will be taking the train.

Jo

We went to Versailles in July with our daughter's family. It was one of their favorite things on the trip. We booked our reservation for 9:30 am and chose the Passport ticket which included the gardens, the Grand Trianon, Petit Trianon, and the Queen's Hamlet as well as the Chateau. We also reserved audio guides. Going early in the morning we did not have to wait in any lines and seeing the Chateau then was not as busy as later in the day. We especially enjoyed the music in the gardens, the Grand Trianon, and the Queen's Hamlet. We had lunch in the gardens and my daughter and her family rented bikes to ride through the gardens which was a highlight for them.

This is personal preference, but rather than going back to the Louvre I would recommend the Musee d'Orsay with the Impressionist paintings. The Louvre was very crowded, so we just chose 10 favorite things to see there.

The Louvre would be less crowded later in the day or off season. The same with Versailles.

We've been to Versailles thrice and in the summer it's often quite hot, sweaty, and crowded, like super crowded. My wife went airborne for a second or two due to being pinned in-between a few people as if she were in a mosh pit at a punk rock concert. I bumped up against a stinky, sweaty person and smelled like their BO until I could take a shower.

But yes it's probably a place you should see in your lifetime.

With climate change our desire for summer travel is about zero. September-October and April-May has been much, much kinder to us.

I love vaux le Victomte and have toured many chateaux including Chantilly, Fontainbleau, Maintenon and Malmaison but I think Versailles is singular -- something everyone should see once. I don't get the 'not into lives of the rich and famous and oh my weren't they terrible to the peasants' reason to ignore it -- well yeah, and walking through Versailles reminds you why the guillotine had its place in French history.

If you enjoy VR experiences which I do, the walk through the gardens with la Notre is a pretty good VR experience -- not Eternelle Notre Dame but close. Takes about half an hour.

I went on the Paris and Heart of France tour this spring. Hold Harmless, I did not go into the Louvre as I'd been there several times. However, the Louvre was at the end of a neighborhood walk, ending in the early afternoon as I recall. You could spend as much time in the Louvre as you wanted. The afternoon and evening was free. I don't think there was any guided tour provided but maybe someone else from this year could chime in. I suggest you call the RS office to confirm whether or not there is any guided tour.

I hear recommendations to see Fontainebleau rather than Versailles these days due to the crowds. You might want to look into that one.

This may be a personal neurosis from my childhood where if I wanted say a strawberry shortcake doll, I got the lemon meringue doll that 'was just as good (and very much cheaper)'. It has left me with the conviction that 'just as good' will always leave nagging disappointment.

Went to Limerick to visit friends last year and wanted to see the Cliffs of Moher. Our hosts wanted to take us to the cliffs at Loop Head which were 'better' -- We took a tour to Moher and went with them on the loop head drive --- It was stunning to be at loop head with no other tourists and the incredible scenery including cliffs -- but they are half as high as Moher and for all the tourist clap trap there, I am glad we did the' real thing' if only because now I don't have the sense of having missed something.

I never have regretted choosing the place I have always heard about -- I think Versailles is a must -- all the other chateaux have their charms -- but Versailles is in a class by itself -- both the chateau and the grounds.

We went to Versailles as part of Rick's Best of Paris tour in October '23. I probably wouldn't have gone if had not be included on the tour. That said, I'm glad we went. It was a rainy, windy day, and the crowd wasn't horrible. Later in the day, the weather improved and the gardens, which had been closed, reopened and allowed us to stroll with very few folks around. Delightful.

We love the Louvre and d'Orsay and would never miss an opportunity to revisit them.

Janet...Oh, how I do identify with your memory of getting the "just as good" toy/gift, etc. There were lots of those in my childhood; things not quite the same as the desired toy, but to my Dad, even better because it cost less. It certainly didn't ruin my childhood, but it did make me appreciate the "real" thing when I got older. I am glad I have seen Versailles, and been to the top of the Eiffel Tower, and seen the Sistine Chapel. And since I have been to my #1 bucket list place (Egypt), I can live with the almost as good (not joyfully, but not grumpily either).
Thanks for the memories!

Versailles is special, don't miss it.
Most every key site in Europe is crowded. Having to book it in advance does control the crowds to some degree.

I would definitely go to Versailles.....and knowing what I know now (having been many years ago), I would concentrate on the gardens (especially The Hamlet). If the crowds do not look too terrible for going INSIDE the actual (whatever it is called)...home? palace? whatever........then you can choose to go ahead and do that afterward. Lines outside will give you a clue.

For seeing the Hamlet, we waited on a tram-like thing F O R E V E R (maybe 30-40 minutes) even though it was filled with people...not sure what was up....but, you can walk to The Hamlet and other areas you might be interested in seeing much more quickly...........so ask a lot of questions (with French politeness) if you are considering jumping on the tram thing.

All that said, I am a HUGE gardener and love visiting gardens........I realize individuals' interests vary, and the gardens "just might not do it" for others. Individual choice.

Maybe try to go super early in the day, so you can inside right away...........or other might be able to say if waiting until later (maybe after seeing the gardens, etc. would work better for timing inside.

I do not remember the name of the hotel that is "right there" at Versailles, but friends stayed there, and they said they could right out to the grounds..........do confirm, though, if that is still the case. But, they LOVED the hotel and the proximity.

It is a very, very easy train ride from Paris.........we actually figured it out ourselves (which was amazing for us on our very first trip to a country that speaks a language other than English). We did take a little night-school basic French class ahead of time, and we had the trusty Rick Steves translation book with us......sometimes even pointing to words and vice versa when speaking with locals ...like on the train, when a baker and his family had as much fun passing the book back/forth as we did.............I digress...................

My only trip to Versailles was on the RS Best of Paris tour right after Christmas several years ago. The palace interior was very--with a capital V--crowded. As in shoulder to shoulder. Once in the Hall of Mirrors it opened up a bit. Even though all the fountains were covered, and the trees were bare, the grounds and gardens are impressive. I enjoyed Le Petit Trianon. I walked; I can't speak to the transportation within the garden. Having just watched season 2 of Marie Antoinette, I was reminded that even though it was crowded, I am glad that I visited at least once even if I never visit again. I grew up in a place closely associated with Louis XVI, so for better or worse, there you have it. I'm happy I went.

Thanks, everyone for all the insight. I will book a time for Versailles, hopefully right at opening.

I emailed RS office and asked about the entry time to the Louvre. Apparently, it’s 12:30. Would it make sense to book a time for the L’Orangerie for 4-4:30?

Not a big fan of Versailles. It was built to impress foreign visitors with how grand and glorious the French regime was, and as such is something of an exercise in wretched excess. The Hall of Mirrors is impressive though maybe not great for photography as it's always crowded. The gardens are lovely. I don't know how much time you have in Paris but bear in mind that Versailles is basically a day trip.

I second what others have said about the Orsay. One of the greatest museums in the world; I go there every time I'm in Paris.

I will put a word in for the Rodin museum, especially the sculpture gardens. If you're even remotely a fan of Rodin, or statuary in general, it's a don't miss.

Also an honorable mention to "L'Orangerie," with a breathtaking display of some of Monet's water lilies murals.

Note that Orsay, Rodin, and L'Orangerie are within walking distance of one another; Rodin and L'Orangerie are less expensive and less crowded.

I did the Louvre once, years ago, and have not felt the need for a second visit. But I'm glad I went that one time, so if it's on your bucket list, go for it!

I have gone to the Rodin Museum every time I am in Paris. The inside of the house has interesting artworks also, but if you don't have a lot of time, know that the gardens are wonderful. Don't miss the Burghers of Calais sculpture, and look up the history of them beforehand. The Gates of Hell doors are also full of fascinating detail, and of course The Thinker deservedly has a lot of admirers.
I don't believe a reservation is necessary. It is one of my very favorite museums in Paris.
The cafe on site has some nice inexpensive fare if you are there at lunch time.

Anita,
I don't know if it's on your pass, but in May 2023 we walked up to the Cluny Museum and got right in. It is full of abundant medieval art and artifacts, plus it is in a wonderful former Abbey begun in the 14th century and rebuilt in the 16th century. It needs about 3 hours ( or at least 2).

I have gone to the Rodin Museum every time I am in Paris.

Judy, if you've never seen the Rodin sculpture garden at Stanford University, you need to schedule a trip. It's extraordinary.

We're holding out hope that at least one of our grandchildren decides to attend Stanford. It's both a beautiful campus and the home of some of the brightest minds on the planet.

We booked a 2 hour tour to Versailles. It is a little more expensive, but we skipped the lines, and visited rooms not open to the regular public. I think that a visit to Versailles is worthy of the time of any person who cares about the French history in the times of Marie Antoinette, Louis XVI, and the start of the French revolution.
The day trip from Paris that I loved the most was a visit to Claude Monet’s house and gardens in Giverni. The gardeners try very hard to make the place look like a Monet’s painting, and they have succeeded in achieving the look.

We were there end of September 2023. If you get there at the beginning of the day at opening, it’s not bad at all. I do think it’s a place to see at least once, it’s very impressive and quite interesting. But it’s also something you can just do in a next trip, if you only have a few days.

I did this with the Louvre. Didn’t go last time, but will this time.

"Apparently, it’s 12:30. Would it make sense to book a time for the L’Orangerie for 4-4:30?"

Yes, I think that would work out fine. I just checked the website (it's way better than my memory, lol!) and they are open until 6, last admission 5:15 and they start chivvying people out at 545. I'd book for 4, then leave the Louvre at 330. It takes me about 15-20 minutes to walk from the Exit of the Louvre by the Carrousel du Louvre thru the gardens to the front of the Orangerie. You might walk quicker than I do, lol.

For myself, I'd book a 2nd visit to the Louvre during your time at the end of your stay. Did the office indicate whether there will be a guided tour of the Louvre or not? My Paris and Heart of France tour was 10 years ago and they were doing guided tours then so not sure what the current status is on that. Anyway, there is much to see!

BTW, I do go to the Louvre every trip to Paris. There are SO many places in this museum that are not crowded. I have sat on the benches in front of their 2 Vermeer's for as long as I wanted with barely any other person in the room except the security person. This is during either April or Sept/Oct. Once you get away from the main tourist trail of heading to the Mona Lisa the crowd level drops significantly. I may have said this in your other thread but on visit #2, do your entry by going into the Richelieu wing. There are escalators there so it's easy to get to anywhere in that wing or the Sully wing. IF the escalators are not working there is a modern elevator nearby that you can use too.

We loved Versailles especially the Hall of Mirrors and the Queen’s Hamlet. We were there before they opened, and although there were already lines, it moved quickly.

We enjoyed the Louvre, but it can be overwhelming because of the size. We really enjoyed Musée d'Orsay more. We went in the afternoon and didn’t have crowds.

To jphbucks,
Thanks for the tip about the Rodin sculpture garden at Stanford. Our son lives in San Jose and when visiting him we have often considered a walk-around of the university. Living in SoCal we have lots of reminders throughout the state of Leland Stanford and the Stanford family's influence on California. We have been in every county at least 2-3 times, and of course some of them countless times (California road trips rule!). Our next visit there we will definitely check out Stanford's lovely campus!

Again, thanks!

Thanks for the details Pam. I will take note of your suggestions. I’m definitely going to be looking for Turner and Constable paintings as well as Vermeer. I need to take a good look at the map and try to figure out where else to go before I get there. There is no guided tour, just the RS app.

Should I get the audio guide for Versailles or is the app good enough?

Also, I can’t seem to figure out how to purchase a ticket if I’m going to have a museum pass. It doesn’t show on the list of free options. The web site is very confusing. And slow.