Two Nights In Versailles

I would say you are giving too much time to Versailles. You absolutely can see Versailles as a day trip. It is super close to Paris. Maybe 30 miles away. We drove from Paris, toured Versailles all day and drove to Amboise that same day. In my opinion, the actual palace is not as interesting as the gardens and Marie Antoinette's petit palace. If I had to do it again, I would go thru the large palace at a quick pace and spend more time wandering the gardens. But regardless, I just don't think after a full day at Versailles you are itching for more. It is good to see once. One afternoon of 5 or so hours would be plenty. Then I would head back to Paris or move onto a whole other region. And because I was kicking myself for forgetting this, the museum pass that you can buy in Paris gets you into Versailles. I bought a 2 day pass completely forgetting about it covering Versailles and then it was used up when we got there. Had I had more days on my pass, I could have already paid for the cost of entry and (most importantly) bypassed the super long ticket line. So I strongly recommend you get the museum pass and keep the consecutive days in mind with Versailles.

Versailles is only 30 to 40 minutes from Paris. You're the first person on this site in a couple of years to (1) think of spending your first 2 nights there and then switching to Paris and (2) to use 2 days for Versailles. That doesn't mean either of those is a bad idea. But since it's your first trip to Paris I thought I'd mention it. I wonder if flying into Paris, then trying to make the transportation connections to get to Versailles, all in that first day when you're jet-lagged, is necessary, or whether it unnecessarily complicates your flying in day, which is tiring for most, esp. with the long flight(s) you'll have made to get there from Colorado. Possibly you'll decide you're better off doing what probably 98% do and staying in Paris the whole time and making a day trip to Versailles: makes your first day easier and eliminates the hassle of switching accommodations when it's not really necessary.So I'm saying the same thing as Amy, but note Versailles isn't even 30 miles from Paris, it's closer, just a 30 to 40 minute train ride. This doesn't mean you need to do what everyone else does, but since this is your first trip to Paris I thought you'd want to have the benefit of knowing what's usually done. Best wishes for a good trip.

Jim -

I am not sure why you are thinking of staying in Versailles. It is a beautiful town - but my thought is that it really is an unnecessary hotel change.

As Kent mentioned - Versailles is a short train ride from Paris. There are trains frequently all through the day - typically every 15 minutes. The trip is about 30-40 minutes. To give you a perspective - if you were to take the Metro from one end of Paris - say Gare de Lyon to La Defense - the trip would take you approximately 30 minutes.

I would minimize the shuffling about from hotel to hotel and settle in Paris for the duration.

Generally two days out of six in Versailles for a first-time visit to Paris is a lot. That may be perfectly in synch with your priorities, and I understand you are sort of writing off the first day. But I think unless you are a serious fan of Louis XIV and the ancient-regime period you probably would want to get to Paris in the afternoon of your second day. There's so much more to see.

More generally, your plan is unusual, and perhaps not necessary, but I don't think it's unworkable or bad. Consider the following.

Getting to Versailles from DeGaulle is a matter of an extra 30 or 40 minutes on the RER train. If you take the RER from the airport you will be on it with your bags anyway, so I don't think aspect is so bad.

If it rains the day you arrive, however, your options are limited to seeing the grounds in the rain (certainly feasible, but be prepared for it) or touring the palace, which might be a stretch on the first day for someone who finds that day "difficult."

Also you might want to think about what that first day will be like in Versailles. You'll probably drop your bags off by 9, and will want to stay up another 12 or 13 hours. The grounds are apart from the rest of the town (cafes, your hotel, etc.) and you could find yourself going back and forth a lot.

Paris, meanwhile, is an outstanding place for walking outdoors, from parks and monuments to lively streets, with the advantage of cafes and indoor attractions should you need them. And as others have pointed out, Versailles is an easy trip from Paris.

I'm not promoting one plan over another and I am sure you will figure out what is best for you and yours.

My wife and I wanted to spend a night in Versailles instead of in Paris so we found a small Country Inn which had a small restaurant.

It was walking distance from the palace. We spent the night and ate 3 meals there. I would suggest doing that.

Anothe vote that you should consider getting settled into your digs in Paris and make Versailles a daytrip. If you really find it to be particularly interesting you can return a second day. I personally think that this is only likely if you have a great and detailed interest in gardens.

Getting to Versailles from Paris doesn't even really seem long enough to qualify as a day trip. Yes, you might spend the day there. But you definitely won't spend the day travelling. Actually, it felt more like just another stop on the metro...

As many said above, it would probably be best to spend the first day or so in Paris, and visiting Versailles during a single day-trip once you are no longer jet-lagged. As long as you leave early in the morning and you buy the admission/transport ticket in Paris, there is time to see everything in a day.

Though your plan will allow you to see the gardens thoroughly, if that interests you greatly. Or if you plan to take a few of the guided tours of the buildings.

On the day you leave Versailles, you won't need to leave as early as 15:00 since it doesn't take that long to get to Paris.

My wife and I just returned from France. We arrived at CDG 6:30 am, took the train to Paris, bought the tickets for train and Palace and took the first Vick available, arrived at 10:30 or so, dropped our bags at the nearby hotel and spent the day in the Palace (as much as we wanted to) spent most time in the gardens had dinner and called it a day. I think we walked 25000 steps per our pedometer. One note, check your arrival time, it took us about 4 hours from touchdown to arrive at Versailles with carry on luggage. It could take longer if you check your luggage and your plane may not be on time. Also, pack light, it is hard to ride the train with a lot of luggage.

We then rented a car, drove to Normandy for a few days, returned the car at Versailles and trained back to Paris. I was very happy not to have to drive from CDG directly to Normandy through the Paris traffic. Much easier starting from Versailles. Rental cars are cheaper out of Versailles as well.

One day at Versailles was plenty for us. We were in Paris for 4 more days and could have spent more time there.

One other thing, be sure you sort out the train tickets from the Versailles tickets. They look very much alike and can be confused.