Versailles is best treated as a full estate—palace, gardens, Trianon properties, and seasonal fountain programming—not simply the Hall of Mirrors. Ticket combinations, garden charges, transport disruptions, and opening schedules vary.
Why It’s Worth Your Time
A successful Versailles day starts with the official calendar: the palace is generally closed Monday, while garden events, fountains, the Estate of Trianon, and individual rooms follow their own schedules. Reserve the correct ticket, allow substantial walking, and check the RER or rail route on the morning of travel. The gardens are not universally free, and old advice about free evening access should not guide the plan.
What Stands Out
- 40 minutes from Paris by RER C | Book tickets online
- Hall of Mirrors, Le Nôtre gardens, Petit Trianon | Full day required
- Arrive at 9am | Gardens free after 8pm in summer