Versailles Day Trip from Paris

I can't give any specifics, but there are lots of restaurants in Versailles. Try looking some up on tripadvisor or just scope out some menus when you arrive in town. The nice part of town is to the right when you are facing the chateau. There is a small square a few blocks off the Ave de Paris that is the town center. The trains run pretty late (at least past midnight). You can confirm the schedule at the station. If a nice day, I always recommend a picnic lunch for the gardens. Sit down by the Grand Canal and enjoy watching the boaters, lovers, tourists and gardens. Don't miss the Trianon's and the Hamlet. Well worth the walk or rent a bike, cart or take the trolley.

Thanks for the info Doug. How would you go about bringing a picnic lunch? Is there a way to get one there or nearby? Can I ask why you think the Tianon & Hamlet are worthwile? I definitely want to see Marie Antoinettes palace. Thanks!

You can buy sandwiches at shops in town before heading into the gardens. There are some near the train station. Or get some wine and cheese and bread (and a pastry too of course). There is a Monoprix grocery store a couple blocks off Ave de Paris to the right when facing the Chateau (ask a local where it is and they can point you in the right direction). The Trianon's are delightful smaller palaces that the royals used as getaways from court life. And the Hamlet is the little peasant village Marie Antoinette had built to go play milk-maid while Parisians starved...

Exactly what does the preceeding bit of jumbled French history have to do with the OP or any prior discussion?

Consider the Fat Tire Bike Tour to Versailles. We did it a few years ago and it was really cool. http://fattirebiketours.com/paris
Rented the bikes near the Eiffel Tower, rode to the train station, put our bikes on the train and we were off. In Versailles we went to the market and picked up picnic supplies. It was a realy awesome experience, great young american guide gave lots of insight, funny and entertaining plus no waiting in line to visit the chateau.

Thanks for all the great tips everyone. Would still like to find an inexpensive restaurant for dinner there in Versailles. Maybe we'll just go for a stroll & see what we can find. I am definitely going to do the picnic in the gardens. That sounds amazing. Thanks!

AL - Since you responded to my earlier post I should clarify a few things: At no time did I suggest that Marie Antoinette caused the starvation of the French people. I merely pointed out that she was frolicking at Versailles and her Hamlet while the nation was falling apart. The OP asked why the Trianons and Hamlet are worth the long hike to see, that's why I mentioned it. And I'm pretty sure I could hold my own on French history...

Al , I apprieciated your posts. It is always good to actually learn a bit of the real history of a place before visiting it. I once saw a post ( on another forum) where a tourist in Paris approached a Parisien looking for the "Bastille" and was indignant that the local kept pointing to the middle of the square,, the tourist wanted to see the actual prison... sigh. It is good to have myths dispelled, the truth is usually far more interesting anyways, and a travel forum is meant to enlighten and inform. April, I would get a sandwich and a drink and store it in a daybag,, you can purchase these at many places soon as you get off train, as you walk to the palace. You can also buy sandwiches etc at a stand on the grounds at Versailles, but will pay more for less there. I enjoy spending the whole day at Versailles, its grounds are very exstensive,, and its worth seeing the Petit and Grand Trianons as well as Marie Antionettes Hamlet. As for dinner, just find a place with an interesting menu ,, by law all places must display the menu outside, so just wander around and find something that appeals to your tastes and budgets,, thats how I do it anyways..

Thanks, AL! Your insightful posts are always apprecaited here! As a view to "those who rise too quickly fall the hardest" after seeing Versailles, I went to the Conciergerie prison where Marie was held awaiting the blade. In her cell they have her water pitcher and the chair where she rocked, huddled in her shawl. Afterwards I went outside in the "place des femmes" and marched in her tracks around the little square. Just imagine . . .

We did this day trip from Paris to Versailles last year. The restuarants in Versailles are not that much more expensive than the places in Paris. We just scoured the town and found a small place, we liked the food, it was really crowded though.
We went with my two little boys and the most useful tip I can give you is that they have a Starbucks! and a McDs!! across from the train station with clean, free restrooms.

Thanks Purnima! My husband will love that there is a McD's! Dining in Paris is going to be a real challenge for him. He's a real meat & potatoes guys. Sigh....... Appreciate the info everyone. Love it!

April, If your husband is meat and potatoes, he'll be happy in France. My hubby is too--beef burgundy with potatoes, parmentier (shepard's pie), steak and fries, pork chop and fries, pate, sausage, blood sausage, cassoulet.... France is a meat-lover's paradise. Maybe he'll even be able to find a steak de cheval. Real red meat.

April - can't help with a restaurant recommendation but would suggest you avoid Le Voltaire Brassiere. Worst food we had on our entire trip; the steak & fries were verging on inedible. However, we had some great cafe au lait at the little bar across the street, so it wasn't a total bust. I like the picnic idea - it was a bit cold & windy for us to do so, but in June you should have no trouble.

Thanks again everyone. Great info. Didn't mean to start the French Revolution all over again! LOL. ;-)

April,
For your picnic, I would (and did) hit your local Parisien market before hitting the train to pick up some bread, wine, cheese, etc., then stow it in your day bag. Then find a quiet place in the gardens (my wife and I were on a lonely bench overlooking to swan pond and lighthouse in the Hamlet) to enjoy your picnic. The grounds at Versailles are spectacular, and the grounds around the Hamlet are my favorite area in Versailles. My last trip to France I went to versailles, then returned to the Hamlet about 3 weeks later as we completed our french loop. Sorry, we had dinner in Paris, though, so I can't recommend any restaurants in Versailles.