Versailles on a Sunday

You've correctly analyzed the trade-offs in your Plans 1 and 2: Sunday is indeed the most crowded day of the week; but if you don't do it on the way to Loire, it will eat up an entire day to do it from the Loire, 280 miles of driving from Amboise (roundtrip).

Yup,you summed it up. Personally I wouldn't back track to do Versailles, I would bite the bullet and deal with the crowds. That said, just so you know, no matter what day you go I promise you it WILL still be( and seem) very crowded to you! Unless you go next November on a rainy weds. during a train strike, and at 9 am.. LOL

How old are kids? On a nice day the gardens and grounds are fun, you can rent bikes, they have rowboats you can rent, golf carts, and and once you get through the palace the crowdes don't bother you much outside. Plus the fountains are very pretty and they do the fountain shows on the weekends.

I did not like Versailles at all, but I adored the Loire Valley. That said, fore-warned and fore-armed, just make sure that you have packed for a very busy day! We rode rented bikes around the Loire, the roads were lightly travelled and the scenery was wonderful. Have fun!

My wife and I went on a Sunday. We got there when it first opened up and went through the palace right away. By the time we toured the gardens and left in the early afternoon it was very busy making us glad we got there first thing.

Have fun!

Go ahead and stop on the way to the Loire Valley. The fountains will be on in the gardens on Sundays. Also if you have a Paris Museum Pass and it's still valid, Versailles is covered by it. Ashley

My husband said that Versailles was a waste of time. I didn't believe him. It was a waste of time. It is over-rated. It was way too crowded. You couldn't see much and what you did see wasn't worth the over-priced entrance fee and the tourists. When they shuffled us past the gift shop, we looked around and said "that was it?" That was it. Not worth it.

I agree with the posters above who found Versailles to be less than they had hoped. Visit it enroute but do not take a day to back track to do it.

We did exactly what you are considering. Rented a car just before we departed Paris. Drove to Versailles and on to the Loire the same day. It wasn't that difficult to do. A plus that has not been mentioned: if you are driving out from Paris on a Sunday morning early you will not encounter too much traffic. Get an early start, go thru the building asap then enjoy the water displays with the children.

I agree with the previous posts...stop early on your way out of Paris. Personally I think Versailles is overrated and would never go back again...except maybe the gardens! There are so many wonderful palaces in Europe that are so much better. Your children should love the gardens, fountains anad outlying bldgs. I believe they now have some sort of "buggy" to expedite the walk!
Have a lovely trip.

Thanks for all the helpful replies! We did, infact, stop at Versailles (today, Sunday, May 18th). The crowds were crazy, but we still had a good time. We intentionally bought a 4 day museum pass, with the plan to use our 4th day on Versailles. So glad we did. The line to buy tickets was over and hour. As it was, the line just to get in was also an hour, but we managed. Our 5 year old daughter enjoyed seeing the various bedrooms and "all the gold (her words)." Our 22 month-old son couldn't have cared less (and infact cried through much of the chateau, only to fall asleep in the Dauphin's rooms - appropriate, I thought). However, both children loved exploring in the Domaine de Marie Antionette. It was a successful day. We are now happily at our little rental house in the Loire, near Orleans. Thanks for all the info and advice!

Heather

Heather: Thanks for writing in from your rental house in the Loire! I'm glad our advice ended up helping you.

Bravo!! Continued success with your travels.