A visit to Paris is not complete without touring the Chateau de Versailles. I visited the now World Heritage Site on March 14, 2024. Like almost everywhere in Paris, one must purchase timed entry tickets otherwise it would be highly unlikely to get in. March is the low touristic season though you couldn’t tell from the number of visitors lined up at the gate. I was disappointed to see most garden statues still covered and the famous fountains not yet activated for the season. When my time arrived, I entered along with a hundred others and wandered through the galleries admiring paintings and sculptures adorning walls and ceilings. What an incredible palace!

It is difficult to fathom that Versailles palace was initially built as a hunting lodge for Louis XIII in 1624. His son, Louis the XIV loved the location so much that he undertook major reconstruction in 1661. Rebuilding continued throughout his reign until 1715. After a period of neglect, Louis XV decided to continue the remodeling effort though he did not live exclusively at Versailles. Louis XVI, however, was born, married and reigned at Versailles until the French Revolution. The court moved to Paris in October 1789. In 1830, King Louis-Philippe turned Versailles into a Museum of France’s History, and its art collection grew. Neglect set in during and after the first world war until John D. Rockefeller made sizable donations to restore it. Eventually Versailles regained popularity among the French and the international community.

There are various ways to reach Versailles from Paris including guided tours that may pick you up at your hotel. I chose to take the metro then a train to the palace. It was straightforward. After going through bag check, I purchased an audio tour device to avoid using up my phone battery. Arrows steered visitors in one direction, I simply followed. You do not need to buy a tour for Versailles, it’s cheaper to visit on your own, just make sure to purchase a timed ticket before heading over. If you arrive early, you can wander the gardens until a few minutes before your entry time.

I decided to break the photos into two galleries for this post, one for outside, followed by one for inside then a video. I hope you will scroll down to view all three. Enjoy the virtual tour!

References Official web site, Key Historical Dates

Gate & Gardens

Inside the Chateau

Video