As you know, I love exploring the Ile-de-France region—or actually, let’s be broader with that idea: I just love exploration in general. A little curiosity drives me to go everywhere, even if it’s nearby, even if you think you already know it, whether it’s considered an attraction by others or not. Well, on the attraction front, you can’t exactly say Versailles is lacking… Yet, I still always love going to spend a little day in Versailles on the weekend. Even in the middle of tour buses from China, even if I have to take the RER or drive to get there, even if, even if…
And in this article, I’m offering you several ideas for things to see and do in Versailles, all rounded out by a selection of great spots. And as always, I regularly update this article with my new discoveries.
Table of Contents
What to see and do in Versailles?
Visit the Château de Versailles
There is no need to introduce this iconic place from the reign of Louis XIV, which attracts thousands of tourists every day. It’s obviously an absolute must for any day trip to visit Versailles! The interesting thing about this site is that it also offers many possibilities, as you will see below. Indeed, you can come to visit the palace itself, or you can focus on the park and the palace gardens. You can also come during the summer season to attend the Musical Fountains Show or the Night Fountains Show.
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The Royal Serenade in the Hall of Mirrors
Just before the Night Fountains Show, the Royal Serenade in the Hall of Mirrors is an opportunity to rediscover the Grand Apartments of the Château de Versailles in the company of musicians and baroque dancers. This event offers a 45-minute tour of the Grand Apartments at sunset, from the Hercules Salon to the Marble Courtyard, through the Hall of Mirrors and the King and Queen’s Grand Apartments, accompanied by the musicians of the Folies Françoises and the Compagnie de Danse l’Eventail.
Tested in 2020
Royal Serenade at the Château de Versailles
Every Saturday from June 27 to September 19, 2020, before the Night Fountains ShowSerenade + Night Fountains Show tickets: between 40 € and 47 € on-site
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The Musical Fountains Show at the Château de Versailles
The Château de Versailles is so big, so vast, so beautiful, that it is a place you can never tire of discovering and rediscovering (in my opinion, of course). That day, we did a rather special tour with the favorite photographer, as we had the chance to discover the secret Versailles by visiting the underground passages of the palace gardens. Alongside the palace fountain engineers, we explored the behind-the-scenes of the Fountains Show, and we were able to appreciate the scale of the work, as well as the architecture of the impressive historical hydraulic network of Versailles, most of which has been preserved for over three centuries! Then, we also took a little tour through the various groves of the King’s gardens, to witness the fountains of the Château de Versailles in their most magical state.
It was also an opportunity to attend the Musical Fountains Show, which takes place in the gardens of the Château de Versailles every year from April to October. This event allows you to enjoy, for the duration of a stroll, the beauty of the palace gardens and its groves, which are exceptionally open to the public at that time and brought to life by the operation of the fountains and by music. A very pleasant way to appreciate this place in a slightly different and, above all, quite magical way!
Tested in 2017
The Musical Fountains Show at the Château de Versailles
From June 6 to November 1, 2020
Saturdays and SundaysTickets: 11 € full price / 9.50 € reduced price / from 8 € to 9.50 € in presale
Groves open from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Music playing from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Mirror Basin water feature every 10 minutes from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Neptune Basin water feature at 5:20 PM (no water feature on Tuesdays)
Water Theatre Grove water feature every 15 minutes from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
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The Night Fountains Show at the Château de Versailles
We had the opportunity to experience the Night Fountains Show in 2017 (date of the video below) with the favorite photographer, but we also did it again in 2020. And I can tell you that despite the Covid situation, well, it was a real success (that evening, at least). It is truly a magical and timeless moment that allows you to see the gardens of the Château de Versailles from a completely different angle!
The concept is quite simple: you follow a route that allows you to discover the groves, fountains, and basins, all illuminated and set to water to the rhythm of the Sun King’s music during a 2.5-hour magical stroll. The evening ends with a grand final fireworks display launched from the Apollo Fountain basin by the magic pyrotechnicians of Groupe F, a world-renowned collective of pyrotechnics artists.
The Night Fountains Show
Every Saturday from June 27 to September 19, 2020, from 8:30 PM to 11:05 PMTickets: from 24 € to 56 € (47 € Prestige ticket)
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Visit the Park and gardens of the Château de Versailles
It’s not widely known outside of Versailles residents and people living in the surrounding area, but actually, the park and the gardens are open every day and, above all, they are largely accessible for freefree!
So, don’t deny yourself a little stroll in this vast estate, no matter the season you choose to visit Versailles! During the summer season, I also advise you to take advantage of the weather to go for a boat ride on the Grand Canal. It’s really not cheap (14 € for half an hour of rowing and 18 € for an hour), but it’s a truly lovely moment if the good weather is on your side! After the time it takes to go around, and half an hour later, you will have rowed quite a bit and might even have blisters on your fingers, like I did…
Park and Gardens of Versailles
Open every day from 7 am to 8:30 pm, the Park and gardens are free (access to the Gardens is paid on days of Musical Fountains and Musical Gardens)
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My favorite spots in Versailles
Here below is a selection of favorite spots (restaurants, hotels) that I had the chance to discover during my various escapades in the Yvelines town.
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Where to have tea at the Château de Versailles? La Cour des Saveurs
Ideally located in the South Ministers’ Wing, right next to the gates of honor, La Cour des Saveurs is the new must-visit restaurant and service space at the Château de Versailles. Managed by the SSP group (Select Service Partner), a reference often seen in major airports and train stations, this exceptional address fits perfectly into the history of the site through a series of refined salons offering 150 seats.
The concept is built around a succession of 5 thematic counters. From the entrance, the Concierge offers luggage storage and practical services, while the Gift Boutique & Fine Grocery allows you to put together boxes of chocolates and macarons. For light bites, the Savory Counter is active from 11 am to 3 pm with quiches and savory croissants, while the Sweet Counter offers pastries to take away or enjoy on-site, some of which are prepared right under the customers’ feet thanks to a 300 m² laboratory in the basement. Finally, the Guest Counter creates surprises throughout the seasons, welcoming with or without reservation ephemeral concepts like an oyster bar in winter or an ice cream parlor in summer. It is the ideal gourmet and strategic stopover to start or end your royal day.
La Cour des Saveurs
Aile des Ministres Sud, 12 Cr d’Honneur, 78000 Versailles
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Where to have lunch in the Park of Versailles estate? La Petite Venise
This restaurant is ideally located in the heart of the Château Park, not far from the Grand Canal. It is housed in the former residence and boat garage of the gondoliers invited by the Grand Roi to navigate and offer delicious and original rides to the royal family or the Court on the Grand Canal. This historical building is today the den of the restaurant’s new Chef, Robbie Denis Pepin who offers a menu with Italian accents. We were particularly won over by the setting of the place, obviously, and the establishment’s summer terrace is truly charming!
To taste: as a starter, the creamy Puglia burrata with heirloom tomatoes (12 €); for the main course, the taglierini al pomodoro with tomato basil sauce and a heart of Burrata (18 €); for dessert, the vanilla panna cotta with strawberry marmalade (10 €) or the tiramisu, obviously (9 €); as for wines, you will find a small selection of wines from the north to the south of Italy (wines by the glass between 5.20 € and 7.50 €)!
Getting there and parking tip: if you are coming by car, I advise you to park in the Park estate after the Grille de la Reine (access between 9 am and 6 pm); plus, it’s a good deal because the entrance to the estate at this gate for a car is 6 €, and you can park there if you find a spot until the gate closes, which remains much cheaper than the city parking lots!
Tested in 2017 - Thanks to La Petite Venise for this lunch invitation and the boat ride
La Petite Venise
Enclos de la Petite Venise Parc du Château de Versailles 78000 Versailles
Price: starters between 12 € and 33 € / main courses between 18 € and 22 € / desserts between 9 € and 11 € / child’s menu at 12 €
Restaurant open every day, except Monday from 11:45 am to 3:30 pm for lunch, until 6 pm for tea time
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Where to eat Italian in Versailles? Restaurant Corte
We also took advantage of our getaway to Versailles in 2017 to have an Italian lunch at the restaurant Corte which is located in the town of Versailles. This restaurant, specializing in Italian products and more particularly in pizzas, is located about a 15/20 minute walk from the château, but honestly, it’s very doable, especially after a good meal, a little walk was perfect to digest! Particular attention is paid to the wine list with a selection of small producers and organic and natural wines. This is quite simply because the owner of the establishment, Thibault, is a fan of this type of product.
To taste:
- For our appetizer, we shared a roasted polenta with parmesan cream, known as “crostone di polenta” (8 €), and it was truly delicious!
- For our main course, we tested their specialties with a pizza made with truffle cream, parmesan, pecorino, and arugula, the corvo (20 €), and it was really very good.
- For my part, I had the fresh pasta of the day, cappelli stuffed with radicchio and speck (14 €); a super original, delicious, and quite visually appealing dish.
- As for dessert, I don’t need to tell you what I picked, you can probably guess… Well, no classic tiramisu here, but a limoncello version (8 €). If you are really craving a traditional tiramisu, you might be a bit disappointed, but otherwise, as a lemon cake, it’s quite nice.
Price for wine by the glass: between 5.50 and 6.50 €
The little extra for warmer days: the charming small interior courtyard that offers a great hidden terrace during the summer season, quiet and tucked away from the street.
Tested in 2017
Restaurant Corte
69 rue de Montreuil 78000 Versailles
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Where to have brunch in Versailles? At Positive Café
This beautiful spot is run by a charming couple, Odette and Tristan, and it is located just across from their canteen, which became too small and was the first organic juice bar in Versailles in 2015. To learn more about this healthy spot in Versailles that I tested in 2018, don’t hesitate to take a look at my specific article on this establishment!
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A hotel in Versailles? The Trianon Palace of Versailles
To learn more about this high-end address that I tested in 2016, don’t hesitate to take a look at my specific article on this establishment!
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I hope that with all this, I have made you want to take a day trip to Versailles, and if you also have your own favorite spots for going out and visiting this Île-de-France city, don’t hesitate to share them in the comments!
Find all my articles on the Île-de-France region below:
⇒ All my articles on Île-de-France
⇒ All my articles on the Yvelines
⇒ All my articles on Versailles
MY ARTICLES ON VERSAILLES
⇒ Brunch at Positive Café in Versailles
⇒ A day at the Palace of Versailles
⇒ Lunch at the Trianon Palace
⇒ The Grandes Écuries of Versailles
Photo credits: Nicolas Diolez Photos are not royalty-free; photographer's authorization required before any use
Un hôtel à Versailles ? Le Trianon Palace de Versailles
