Palace at Versailles

For me a visit to Versailles requires the better part of a half day, more like 3/4. I suppose it could be done during free time especially if you skip the gardens. I saved it for after the tour was over.

If you really want to experience the Palace at Versailles then plan for a whole day, the gardens are just as impressive as the palace itself, this is one of my favorite places in Europe.

I would add it to either a day at the beginning or a day at the end if you have the time to spare. I hope you will plan to get there a day or 2 ahead. I also stayed for 4 more nights at the end because, well, it's Paris, lol!

The daily itineraries can also change a little bit depending on what is going on. You have 2 afternoons that are free but they really aren't full afternoons, if I recall correctly. I agree that it can take 3/4 of a day if you do both the palace and gardens or even a bit more if you stop to enjoy.

This is a fun tour! I loved the wine tastings we did and in general it was interesting and fun. Lots of picnic opportunities from the markets if you are there on the right days!

Hi Jeepers, I did this tour a few years ago, you'll have a great time! There's not really a lot of free time on this tour (or on any Rick Steves tour).

I agree that you'll want to set aside a whole day either on the front or back end of the tour to see Versailles. Based on some good advice I received, I always arrive at least one day before the tour starts and I make reservations at the tour hotel. This gives you time to get organized and to recover a bit from jet lag. If you want to visit Versailles before the tour starts, plan to arrive two or three days in advance.

The alternative is to stay an extra day or two after the tour ends. There's plenty to see there and you'll want at least a half to 3/4 of a day to get there, visit the palace, and tour the gardens. Be sure to see Marie Antoinette's Hamlet!

I knew that I would get the skinny! Thanks to all!

Just remember that it is closed on Mondays. We made the mistake of setting Monday aside for Versailles on our first trip to Paris. Luckily we figured out that it was closed before getting on an RER.

I am traveling on the 7/21/17 Paris and Heart of France tour with my 16 year old son. We will be touring Versailles following the trip, on 8/1. If you are on the same tour, you are welcome to join us. We have arranged for a former RS tour guide (she was my guide with my oldest daughter when we did the RS week in Paris tour 5 years ago and still does local tours) to give us a private tour of the palace and gardens....

We did Versailles on the very day after our Best of Europe tour was over. We left promptly after breakfast and took an early RER. We were almost the first people in line at the gate only a large tour bus beat us to the front. You really want to get there before it opens otherwise lines could be very very long! When I turned around right before the gate opened there were at least 3 rows snaked around that went from the front all the way to the back gate!

To Amy-- aren't you gracious to offer us a tag along! Regrettably, we have determined that we cannot do any tours this year. Thank you, though. :)slm

Next time :)