Versailles logistics...

1) The Museum pass will allow you to skip the line for the tickets( which can be hours long).. It however has never allowed one to skip the line for security, which while long, is never hours long,, it moves quicker .This perhaps confuses people. Arriving as you will so early , I do not think you will have an issue , the bus tours generally arrive around 10, thats when lines swell. 2) the RER line C direction Versailles Rive Gauche is direct , but of course not non stop, you stay on the train till it reaches its terminus Versailles , be sure the direction of the line you take says its terminus is Versailles RIVE GAUCHE, not Versailles CHANTIERS( if you somehow end up on the train its a 15 minute walk to palace, not a 5 minute walk) I can't read schedules to save my life, but seems trains start at 530 and run about every 30 minutes, no way would I want to go at 6 or 6:30 though,, its only a 40 minute train ride,, you may arrive so early that most of the town will be closed! I think going at 7 is plenty early! I have never breakfasted in Versailles so cannot address that. There is a Mcdonalds there though,, egg mcmuffins an option, lol ? 4) Backpacks are expected to be checked in most museums regardless, unless very small and look more like those lady bags. Versailles does have a backpack checking policy and has a left luggage for backpacks( and its free) . Tripods are almost always forbidden, so you will have to check it in almost every musuem. If made to check bag you can retrieve it on way out of palace to grounds for lunch and then you could use tripod! . Some people use those tripod canes that open to a stool with no issue , since they look like canes they also are expected to have a rubber tip.. not sure what you are describing so can't comment on your particular seat.

When we were there in April, we didn't arrive until after 10:00. The lines for tickets was small. The lines for security were extremely long. When you walk in, the ticket line is to the left. The line for security was queued up in the middle of the courtyard. To the right is an office where you can sign up for a tour of the private chambers - 7 euros/person. I would highly recommend you do that. Not only do you see parts of the palace you cannot see on your own, but they take you through their own private security line. After you tour the private chambers, you stay and tour the main palace. There are free audioguides. Security is for the palace only. If you walk around the palace to the left, you walk right into the gardens. So, we signed up for our 3:00 tour, walked around the palace to the left and right on in to the spectacular gardens. We toured the gardens, did the private tour, then the public tour. We thought we were there at a less crowded time of year. But we were stunned how crowded it was - even late in the afternoon. You didn't indicate what time of year you will be there. But if it was that crowded in April, I'm sure it is worse in the summer. You indicated you have a hip problem. There is lots and lots of walking at Versailles - especially in the gardens. You might want to consider using the tram. There is a fee - but I don't know how much that costs. I'm sorry I cannot answer your other questions. Have a wonderful trip!

I'll try to answer the questions not alredy addressed. 2. Yes, the RER C does run to Versialles, and as mentioned, make sure you are on the train to Versailles Rive Gauche. There are other lines that branch off once out of central Paris, so you want to be sure you are on the correct one. 3. I have not eaten at the Ibis but my guess is that it wouldn't be swamped for breakfast. Most tourists coming to Versailles don't eat breakfast there. There will also be other restaurants/cafes nearby that will serve breakfast. 4. As noted, any large items/backpacks will have to be checked for the palace itself. The gardens are entered seperately and you can bring whatever you want in. 5. You'll be able to retrieve your checked bags once done with the palace tour before you head into the gardens. The gardens are free unless it's a fountain day. In that case, I believe they stamp your hand so you can come and go. As previously noted, Versailles is a LOT of walking. If you have hip problems, do take the garden tram or rent a golf cart to get around the gardens.

You have great answers here. I can affirm that tripods are strictly forbidden inside. My son's tiny handheld gorillapod (about 6 inches long) was not allowed. I finally convinced the guard I would keep it zipped inside my bag so we didn't have to check it. The bag (large ladies leather tote-looks like a purse) was allowed in no problem. We could have easily toted lunch in it!

I have told my friend who just went to Versailles in May that with the pass he can bypass the line. That is no longer true, according to him. I wasn't there, so I have no idea if my friend was just an idiot or the policy really did change. But now you also have someone said a May visitor experienced the same thing... my friend may not be an idiot after all.

Frank ,, by pass WHICD line,, there are TWO,, your friend was not made to stand in the line for TICKETS since he had a PASS right? No, he was made to stand in the line for SECURITY, and no pass allows you to skip a security line . sigh. PS not trying to yell but emphasize .

In late May, with a Museum Pass, we did bypass the ticket line, of course. The security line was the entire length of the courtyard, about 100 yards, and snaked back and forth SIX times! Took us about an hour and a half to get through.

Anne....what time did you arrive when the lines for security were that long? Trying to plan for my own trip in October.

Amara,, you will not have same issues in October,, there will be lines, but nothing like the lines from June thru Sept.

One of the highlights of our 2009 trip to France was going to Versaille's nightime "specatacular". It was a little costly, but you get to see the gardens at night with all the fountains running, piped in classical music throughout the gardens and even special effects and a culminating fireworks display. It really was a magical evening and worth every penny.