My new Crazy Plan or is it? Versailles trip

Well...I would say it's possible that you could be back at your hotel by 5pm. With one big "IF" thrown in. Depending on what day you go to the Versailles garden, they may or may not be free. IF they require the purchase of a ticket, you may find yourself spending that hour of touring time waiting in line instead. (I'm already assuming you aren't trying to actually go in the chateau at all during your hour in Versailles - and that's really all you'll have)

Mel, just to clarify, do you mean to just visit the gardens at Versailles or do you hope to enter the palace too. As pointed out, unless you have prepurchased a ticket or pass for Verailles you may spend alot of time in a line up. Also, when you arrive in Paris will you go straight to Versailles or will you drop off a bag at your hotel? Depending on where one is in Paris it can take from 35-50 minutes to get to Versailles. Count time for buying train ticket, and then for 10 minute walk to Palace, so I think your estimate of about an hour is fair give or take 10 minutes. And lastly, I personally think an hour would be pushing seeing much of the grounds at Versailles, think you would basically have time for a quick look at the formal gardens near the palace and a walk to the head of the canal, thats it, you wouldn't have time to even walk by the Petit or Grand Trianons, or a visit to Marie Antionettes Hamlet. A visit to Versailles is worth a whole day, but I do realize you do not have that much time, I still think 2-3 hours should be allowed for a "quick " visit.

Your timetable will be very tight. Figure the following: The train from central Paris to Versailles is about 30-40 minutes. They run about every 20 minutes. And you have to get to the RER C line in Paris to catch that train. So figure a minimum of 1 hour travel time, likely more. Then another 15-20 minute walk to the chateau. The gardens are free and you just stroll in unless its fountain day (typically summer weekends). Then you have to pay but the lines are short for just the gardens. An hour in the gardens will only get you a walk down to the Grand Canal and back with a few stops for photos and to "literally" smell the flowers. With a little more time you can explore the formal gardens with all their hidden fountains and grottos. Plus take a few minutes to soak in the chateau itself. Lots of people visit and don't go inside; so don't feel bad if that's what you want to do. But you won't have time for the Trianons and Hamlet, which are quite a distance from the formal gardens. For your return trip, figure the same timeframe of at least an hour.

One clarification on the gardens being free: Between April & October, you must pay on Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesdays and holidays.

I don't think it is crazy, but for the time you would spend I do not think it is worth it either. There are many wonderful parks and gardens in Paris. One even has a chateau in it. In an hour and a half the quality of your time might not be any better than the walks you could have right in the city. If you do go to Versailles, you might try to rent a bicycle to see more of the gardens.

Also, do a bit of pre-travel research. Be CERTAIN that Versailles is where you want to spend the bulk of your day. I don't know how many friends I had tell me they wanted me to take them to to Versailles, only to discover when we got there that they were bored out of their mind. Versailles is like the Mona Lisa, pretty to look at but it means nothing unless you know what it's doing there.

thanks everyone but it looks like a bust!
i read in rs link about the garden. from the palace its a 40 hike. Maybe next time :( if i ever get to go back to france.

Mel,, what on earth are you talking about ,, a 40 what hike where? The gardens are immediatly behind the palace, the grounds are extensive, but you don't have to see all of them, and there is a tram to take you to farther places.
and I am still baffled,, 40 what, minutes,, kilometers, what and to where?

alexander's assesment is correct. Versailles is really only worth the time/hassle of leaving Paris if you're specifically interested in it historically/architecturally, etc. I'd suggest on a tight timeframe skipping it and going to the Palais du Luxembourg instead.

I love your energy and desire not to miss anything. With that spirit you will definitely get back there, probably sooner rather than later. Maybe a question for all of us would be what to see in the time you have in Paris. Give us a time frame and see what we come up with. If you are going to pass up Versailles, what is a must see in Paris. I'm putting in a vote for St. Chappelle.

Mel - I'm also not sure what you mean by "40." Pat and I gave you very specific timetables and what you could see. Obviously if you don't think it's worth it for the time spent, you can find worthwhile things to do in Paris. But don't rule it out based on some inaccurate information.

i did not read it all the way:
"Getting Around the Gardens: It's a 40-minute hike from the palace, down to the canal, past the two Trianon palaces to the Hamlet -- the heart of the Domaine de Marie-Antoinette" i only read the 40min hike then i said screw that! haha i also keep forgetting i have the energy of a 20 something which do not match my 80 year old knees. so i didnt want to waste my time riding trains all day just to see 1 site. its a bummer i really want to see it. i will have to play lotto