The Palace of Versailles is one of France’s most spectacular attractions, and it’s easy to see why. The sheer scale of the Palace and its gardens is breathtaking, and there’s enough history here to fascinate kids and adults alike. But it’s also busy, especially in peak season, and a long day out can feel overwhelming for younger visitors if you haven’t planned ahead.
We’ve pulled together our top tips for visiting the Palace of Versailles with kids, based on our own family day out, to help you make the most of your visit without the stress.
#1. Book Your Tickets for the Palace of Versailles Online
Save yourself a lot of queuing time by booking your tickets online in advance rather than buying on the day.
The Chateau de Versailles website is a good starting point for working out which ticket suits your family. We spent the best part of a day there and went for a Passport ticket, which covers both the Palace and the Gardens. If you’re planning a longer stay in Versailles, it’s worth checking whether a multi-day ticket or an evening Fountain Show ticket (available in peak season) would suit your plans better.
Ticket pricing and family concessions — including any free or reduced-price entry for children, teens or young EU residents — do change from time to time, so it’s worth checking the official Chateau de Versailles website close to your travel date for the current terms before you set your budget.
TIP: If you’ve bought tickets online and have them saved on your phone or tablet, you can usually just show the ticket at entry — no need to queue to collect a printed version.
#2. Go at Off-Peak Times if You Can
Avoid the height of summer if you possibly can. We visited in mid-August, the busiest time of year, and it was extremely crowded, with long queues throughout the day. With a bit of planning, though, you can still manage a great visit. The Chateau’s website publishes a calendar showing expected busy days, which is worth checking before you book.
If you do end up visiting at a peak time, go in prepared for crowds and waiting around. Pack a few distractions for the kids, and try to plan your day so you’re not in the main Palace during the busiest midday hours (see the next tip).
#3. Get There Early
It’s a long day out taking in the Palace, the smaller palaces and the Gardens, so arriving early gives you the best chance of seeing everything without rushing, and helps you dodge the worst of the queues.
If you arrive well before 11am, head for the main Palace first. If you’re arriving later in the day, it’s often better to leave the Palace until mid-afternoon rather than face a long queue in the middle of the day.
#4. Plan Your Travel to Versailles
How you get there will shape your day, so it’s worth planning your route in advance.
If you’re driving, Versailles is well signposted once you reach the town, and there are several car parks to choose from, including options at Place d’Armes, Allée de Bailly, and near the Grand Trianon and Petit Trianon. Parking directly in front of the Chateau tends to cost more than the outer car parks, but it does mean a much shorter walk at the end of a long day with tired little legs — worth weighing up depending on your family’s energy levels.
If you’re travelling from central Paris by public transport, the RER line C train to Versailles (from stations including Saint-Michel and Champ de Mars) is the most popular option — make sure you buy the correct zone ticket covering Paris to Versailles Rive Gauche. There’s also an express bus service running from the Eiffel Tower on select days; check current timetables online before you travel, as schedules can change.
Recommended Reading: 10 Free Things to do in Paris with Kids
#5. Wear Comfortable Shoes
You’ll be doing a lot of walking, so trainers, walking shoes or comfortable sandals are a must for the whole family.
TIP: The Palace rooms can get warm in the summer months, as there’s no air conditioning in the historic buildings, so dress in layers you can peel off easily.
#6. Sort the Basics Before the Main Chateau Tour
Visit the toilets and grab a bottle of water before you start the main Palace tour. The tour typically takes at least an hour, and there aren’t toilets or drink stops along the route once you’re inside.
#7. A Few Things to Be Prepared For
- Queues — especially for the main Palace at busy times. The smaller palaces, the Grand Trianon and the Petit Trianon, tend to be much quieter, and kids often love spotting Marie Antoinette’s bed at the Petit Trianon.
- Security checks — there’s a security check before you enter the Palaces, so allow a little extra time.
- Crowds and crush — inside the main Palace, you’ll walk through a series of connected rooms leading up to the Hall of Mirrors. There’s nothing to pace the crowd between rooms, so it can get quite packed, especially with young children in tow. Hold little hands tightly, and remember that an early start really does make a difference here.
- Gift shop prices — the gift shops are lovely to browse, but prices can be steep. It’s worth agreeing a small spending limit with each child before you go in.
Recommended Reading: The Best Things to do in Paris with Kids on a Budget
#8. Enjoy the Gardens
Don’t rush past the Gardens on your way to the main Palace — they’re every bit as impressive and well worth the time. The musical gardens and fountain shows (running on selected days) are a lot of fun for kids, and there are hedges, pathways and hidden corners throughout the smaller gardens that children love exploring.
#9. Plan Your Food Stops
If the weather’s good, pack a picnic — there are plenty of lovely spots around the grounds to sit down and eat.
Otherwise, there are cafes, restaurants and kiosks scattered around the estate selling snacks and drinks. Most of these aren’t right at the main Chateau, so it’s worth checking a map in advance and timing your stops for when the kids get hungry, ideally just ahead of the busiest rush.
We ate at a restaurant near the Canal, which had a relaxed outdoor terrace with light meals and snacks — a nice option if you want a proper sit-down break partway through the day. Menus and opening details can change, so it’s worth checking current options before you go.
#10. Little Feet Get Tired
The gardens and grounds at Versailles are enormous — it can take half an hour or more just to walk from the main Chateau to the Trianon Palaces. Luckily, there are usually a few ways to cover the distance without everyone flagging, such as a little train, golf carts, or bike hire.
Budget a bit extra for these if you can. They’re a welcome rest for tired legs, and kids tend to remember a ride on the train or a golf cart long after the tour of the Palace has faded.
#11. Bring Some Stale Bread for the Ducks
Yes, really — pack a bit of stale bread so the kids can feed the ducks at Marie Antoinette’s Hamlet. This little corner of the estate, where the Queen would escape from formal palace life, has a lovely fairytale feel, with small cottages and farm animals that younger children in particular tend to love.
Recommended Reading: The Best Places to Eat in Paris with Kids
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Palace of Versailles suitable for young children?
Yes, with a bit of planning. Younger children particularly enjoy the gardens, the fountains and Marie Antoinette’s Hamlet with its animals. The main Palace tour involves a lot of walking and can get crowded, so pacing the day and taking breaks helps keep things enjoyable for little ones.
How long should we plan to spend at Versailles with kids?
Many families find a full day works well if you want to see the Palace, the Gardens and the Trianon estate. If you’re short on time, prioritising the Gardens and Hamlet alongside a shorter Palace visit is a good way to keep things manageable with children.
Do children need tickets to visit the Palace of Versailles?
Ticket concessions for children and teens do exist, but the exact terms can change, so it’s best to check the official Chateau de Versailles website for current details before your visit.
What’s the best time of day to visit with kids?
Arriving early, well before 11am, tends to give you the smoothest experience, with shorter queues and a calmer atmosphere in the main Palace rooms.
Is there somewhere to eat at Versailles?
Yes, there are cafes, kiosks and restaurants around the estate, though many aren’t right at the main Chateau. A picnic in the Gardens is a popular option on a fine day.
Related Reading
- 10 Free Things to do in Paris with Kids
- The Best Things to do in Paris with Kids on a Budget
- The Best Places to Eat in Paris with Kids
Before You Go
Versailles is a big day out, but with a bit of planning around tickets, timing and travel, it’s a magical experience for the whole family. Got a tip of your own from visiting with kids? We’d love to hear it in the comments below.
Want more family travel ideas like this? Sign up for our free newsletter for weekly inspiration on days out, holidays and adventures the whole family will enjoy. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube for more travel ideas and family-friendly tips.
