Visiting Versailles: A Weekend Stay Near the Palace

Versailles is best known for its palace, but there’s more to it than chandeliers and crowded hallways. Most people visit as a quick day trip from Paris, but staying overnight gives you time to actually enjoy the gardens, the town, and the space around the château. You can walk through the park before the tour groups arrive, eat in town instead of rushing back to the city, and see parts of the estate that most visitors miss. If you’re planning a weekend in Versailles, this post covers exactly what to expect, including where to stay, what to eat, and how to avoid the most common mistakes people make on a first visit.

Exploring the Gardens

On our first visit, we entered through Queen’s Gate and spent hours walking through the free park areas with Rex. It’s dog friendly all the way up to the main château. We brought sandwiches from the bakery across the street and ate them on a bench by the Petit Trianon gardens. We found out later that’s not allowed, but no one stopped us.

We also rented bikes by the Grand Canal and rode along the outer trails. It was easy to cover a lot of ground without needing tickets, and we were able to bring Rex with us.

The second trip, we rented a golf cart inside the gardens. We lined up before they opened to make sure we got one. It cost €40 for an hour and was absolutely worth it. We were able to stop wherever we wanted and covered more than we ever could on foot.

    • Touring the Château

    The Versailles palace is massive, and it can be overwhelming if you don’t pace yourself. We used the official Versailles audio guide, which made it easier to move through the rooms without getting lost in the crowds. If it’s your first visit, plan to spend two to three hours inside, especially if you want time in the Hall of Mirrors, the royal apartments, and the gallery spaces.

    The palace is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., with last entry at 6. It’s closed on Mondays. Arrive early if you want to avoid the worst of the crowds, especially in peak season.

    Petit Trianon and Grand Trianon

    The Petit Trianon and Grand Trianon sit on the far side of the Versailles estate and are easy to miss if you only visit the main palace. Both were built as royal retreats away from the formal life of the court. The Petit Trianon, later used by Marie Antoinette, feels quiet and personal, surrounded by gardens and walking paths that stay peaceful even on busy days. The Grand Trianon is larger, with pink marble columns and open courtyards that overlook the park. Together they show a softer, less public side of Versailles and are well worth the short walk or train ride from the main château.

    • Where We Ate

    On our summer visit, we had dinner at Le Chien qui Fume, a small brasserie in town. It was a last-minute reservation that worked out. The food was solid, and the service was casual but friendly.

    During our Easter trip, we had Sunday brunch at L’Alcove inside the Le Louis Versailles Château Hotel. It was fancier than we expected. Lots of oysters, prawns, and Champagne. Expensive but worth it for a holiday.

    Where We Stayed

    We’ve stayed twice at the Novotel Château de Versailles. It’s a ten-minute walk to Queen’s Gate and far enough from the main square to be quiet. The rooms are basic but clean. It’s dog friendly. They brought bowls and a bed for Rex without us asking. There’s a bakery across the street and parking onsite.

    • Know Before You Go

    When to visit: Spring is ideal. Avoid Mondays. The palace is closed.

    Getting there: Take the RER C from Paris to Versailles Château Rive Gauche. It’s about a 25-minute walk to the entrance.

    Tickets: Book skip-the-line tickets early. The palace sells out fast, especially around holidays.

    Getting around: Bikes and golf carts are available inside the gardens. Golf carts sell out early.

    Food: Eat in town. The palace food options are overpriced and not worth it.

    Planning More France Travel?

    Étretat – A quick trip for cliff hikes, strange gardens, and cider tastings
    Honfleur – Harbor walks, seafood platters, and the easiest town to wander
    Rouen – Cathedrals, crepes, and one of the best dinners we had in Normandy

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