Versailles - Paris Tourist Traps

I cannot say that the place was not worth visiting, because the PARK is charming, even in the autumn (better if you have a bike, because it is really huge:)) The park is FREE and not a bad place to spend a whole day and make a break in your sightseeing schedule.

The PALACE outside it is not impressive, unless you're an architecture freak

The ticket to the PALACE is absolutely OVERPRICED and you have to WAIT HOURS in a long queue just to get the ticket. And then I wish you courage and patience (!) inside - to make your way through the crowds of tourists (it's even in November, and I imagine what a nightmare in spring or in summer !)!

Inside it is decorated - well, royally :) (no wonder, after all ;)), - so be ready to be exposed to numerous rooms full of painted gold furniture, huge wall-size paintings, etc. I don't say it is bad, just nothing really special, especially for France, where the gentry has been swimming in luxury and now you have so many splendid and interesting castles, e.g Loire castles, to compare. (Well, as a matter of fact, even in my homeland, Ukraine, there are far more beautiful palaces and castles - e.g. the palace of count Vorontsoff in Crimea, where both the interior and exteriour are really gorgeous and decorated with far more taste (I've been several times there and never tired of the beauty and charm of the place - and believe me, I am not that patriotic or homesick ;)

The Versailles audio-guide will tell you about the life style of the french royal family, the history of the palace, its decortation, architects and artists, etc. It's included in the price of the ticket, so I'd recommend to take it and do not bother about the guided tour

TRIANONS: 100 percent waste of your time and money :(

To SUMMARIZE. If you have already seen other palaces (or if you've just seen e.g. Napoleon's rooms in the Louvre museum), Versailles might disappoint you. If you have no other plans to do in France, go there, but keep in mind the queues

If you decided to visit the park, do it in spring or early summer, the parc is said to be full of flowers and look quite romantic. The entrance to the parc is free.
If you firmly decided to get inside the palace - buy a day ticket rather than a "pass". The only difference that the pass give the access to Trianon, but there is ZERO intersting inside Trianon, but you can walk in the Maria-Antoinetta park (if you have chieldren, they would like a mini-cattle farm with animals ;))

In France - Loire castles, or simply see "Napoleon's" rooms in the Louvre museum in Paris. Actually, in the Louvre you can see a lot of pieces of royal furniture (and most of it originally taken from Versailles).

Versailles, Paris

Paris Hotels

Versailles, Paris

Visiting Paris?

Visiting Paris?

Paris Hotels