Highlights / General details
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Palace of Versailles was the residence of three French kings, Louis XIV, Louis XV, and Louis XVI, their courts, and the French government from 1682 to 1789. Your guide will stay with you throughout the day as you discover the majesty of the Palace of Versailles and its most beautiful rooms (guide commentary will be played through individual headsets). The supreme symbol of royal power, admire the sumptuous decoration, the palace's Baroque architecture, its works of art, and period furniture, all created by skilled craftsmen. After your tour, spend time exploring the beautiful formal gardens before enjoying lunch in a restaurant near the Grand Canal. The second part of your visit includes an afternoon tour of the Small and Large Trianons and the Queen's Hamlet, located in a distant and peaceful corner of the palace's grounds.

Inclusion
Transportation in luxury air conditioned coach; Priority access ticket to skip the line at the Palace of Versailles, the two Trianons, and the gardens; Guided visit of the State Apartments, (King & Queen's rooms and the Hall of Mirrors) with priority access; (In summer) Walking tour in the park, (In winter) Little train in the park; Lunch close to the “Grand Canal”; Guided visit to the Trianons and to Marie-Antoinette estate; Services of a driver-guide, with individual headsets.

Exclusion
Transportation to and from the departure location; Gratuities.

Hours of operation
Available Tuesday-Saturday during April-October (SUMMER) and Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday during November-March (WINTER), departing at 8:45am. Check-in at least 30 minutes before departure time. No tour departures on May 1.
Languages:
Summer - English: all departures; Spanish: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday; Japanese: Tuesday, Thursday; French: Saturday only.
Winter - English & Spanish: all departures; Japanese: Tuesday only.

Duration
Approximately 9 hours.

Hours of operation
Available Tuesday-Saturday during April-October (SUMMER) and Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday during November-March (WINTER), departing at 8:45am. Check-in at least 30 minutes before departure time. No tour departures on May 1.
Languages:
Summer - English: all departures; Spanish: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday; Japanese: Tuesday, Thursday; French: Saturday only.
Winter - English & Spanish: all departures; Japanese: Tuesday only.

Duration
Approximately 9 hours.

Location
Departure Point: Pyramides Agency, 2 rue des Pyramides, 75001 Paris.

Itinerary
Set off from our agency at 8:45am for a Paris to Versailles tour. Make the most of the 45-minute journey by luxury air-conditioned coach and listen to your guide's introduction to the history of Versailles.
The Palace of Versailles covers an area of over 721,000 square feet and has more than 700 rooms. Follow your guide right to the front of the line with priority access to the palace's most beautiful rooms: the King's Apartments, with seven elegant salons all dedicated to a different god, and the Queen's Apartments, including the Queen's Bedroom, where Marie Antoinette once slept. Also, marvel at the majestic Hall of Mirrors, a large reception room in which to see and be seen, dreamt up by the architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart. Designed to leave visitors to the Sun King speechless, this huge hall with marble and gilded bronze decoration was somewhere to stroll and meet. It was also the setting for sumptuous receptions and royal wedding balls.
After visiting the palace, make the most of your free time to explore the gardens: admire the many works of art (including more than 200 statues), fountains, ponds, flower beds, and trees.
After your stroll, enjoy an included lunch at the "La Petite Venise" restaurant in a peaceful spot right in the heart of the palace's grounds, near the Grand Canal.
In the afternoon, your guide will take you on a tour of the royal family's secondary residences, including the large Trianon Palace of Versailles, a palace built for Louis XIV in the grounds. This pink marble palace is surrounded by delicate gardens and pools, making it one of the most elegant of all the buildings at Versailles. Also visit the Small Trianon, including Queen Marie Antoinette's boudoir, and the fairy-tale setting of the Queen's Hamlet. Like a small Normandy village, the Hamlet is home to 12 cottages, a lake, rivers, and a farm. It was Marie Antoinette's favorite place; she would come here with her children and friends to experience the charm of country life and to amuse herself.
After visiting the Hamlet, return to your luxury coach for your journey back to Paris.

Participant restrictions
This tour is not suitable to clients with walking difficulties.
Pushchairs are forbidden in the palace and the 2 Trianons.

Additional Information
We suggest a good pair of walking / flat shoes to avoid discomfort. No high heels.

Policies
Cancellation: 2 days prior 50% penalty, 1 day prior 100% penalty. No show 100% penalty.
Guests are required to present themselves at our agency at least 30 minutes before excursion departure time for check-in.
Please note that check-in will close 10 minutes before excursion departure time.
Complete information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, will be included on your Confirmation Voucher.

**All information requested must be supplied or booking is subject to automatic cancellation**