Once in the Chateau, is there a required one-way route, or can you move about? Someone on this forum mentioned heading straight for the Hall of Mirrors, but that implies they either missed the first rooms or were able to go back. I have the Versailles app as well as RS's audio tour on my phone, and I've studied the maps, but I think I just have too much information!
Posted by
Amsterdam
556 posts
I can't see the point of rushing to the Hall of Mirrors. You'll get there eventually with the packed, lava flow speed of the crowd. I don't know if they will let you reverse course.
Posted by
Southeast US
3851 posts
You are free to roam. It is not one way, at least as of last April. If you have an entry ticket for opening time, it is definitely worth going straight to the Hall of Mirrors, which you will be able to see with minimal to no other people there. I did not do that with my opening time ticket when there last April, but my friend and I met a college-aged young man who had done that, and he said he had the Hall of Mirrors to himself. By the time we got to the Hall of Mirrors, there were still only a handful of people there... but selfies were already in full swing 🙂.
Posted by
Michigan
739 posts
When I was there years ago (2017) you could go where you wanted but travel “upstream” was more problematic,
To continue this discussion in a slightly different direction..(see what I did there?😂) What is the “best” method to get from Paris to the place and minimize walking? (Lord knows you walk enough in the place) I will be traveling with an elderly lady and someone that is not great at long walks so trying to minimize the walking needed to just get there.
I am looking at a hotel that has pretty easy access to the various mass transit systems and I can get a cab for all i care or anything else that gets me close to the place.
In 17 when I was there the one station (the closest one) was temporarily closed so we had a LONG walk and the cab drivers at the other station would NOT take you there, I even suggested we drive away from the station and I pay for that drive then he could pick me up from that location and go to the chateau but… nope.
So how do I avoid a similar long walk?
Posted by
la la land...
850 posts
o continue this discussion in a slightly different direction..(see what I did there?😂) What is the “best” method to get from Paris to the place and minimize walking? (Lord knows you walk enough in the place) I will be traveling with an elderly lady and someone that is not great at long walks so trying to minimize the walking needed to just get there.
Walking long distances is unavoidable with a visit to Versailles. Just getting to the chateau front door from the train station is a hike, and the walk through the building is not easy, plus you are in a crowd...walking the grounds, frankly my favorite part of Versailles, although it is flat, is a huge ask for anyone with mobility issues. I don't know, I admire that you are escorting "an elderly lady" but if it were me I would think about this very carefully before committing to it.
Posted by
Michigan
739 posts
As I have said, I have been there and done that. At the time (2017) I was with my 86 year old father.
The lady in question does not have major issues or anything but as you noted it is a long walk from the train station to the front gate,
The Question is… can you get there some other way?
Posted by
Bend, Oregon
2320 posts
You could take a taxi or Uber from the station to the gates at Versailles. Download the apps in advance so you can request a ride if there are no taxis waiting at the station. Just know it is still a long walk from the security point to the palace, on cobblestones.
Posted by
Michigan
739 posts
Can you get a taxi from the station? I tried in 17 and they refused