The best time to visit the Palace of Versailles is later in the afternoon, after 3 pm, to avoid crowds.
Till 3 pm, most of the visitors and group tours leave, making it quieter for better exploration.
Also, the palace is open until 6.30 pm in low season and until 7 pm in high season, which gives enough time to see inside and its surrounding gardens.
If you are planning a morning visit, you must arrive before the gate opens, around 9 am. Later, the crowds start to thicken.
Additionally, if you are planning in advance, arriving on a weekday during a low tourist season can enhance your chances of a pleasant visit.
This article will also tell you the best time to visit Versailles based on fewer crowds, cheaper prices, and good weather.
Peak vs Low Season: The best time of the year to visit the Palace of Versailles
The Palace of Versailles draws the most visitors during the peak summer season from April to October.
Alternatively, the crowds are fewer in the colder months from November to March.
Visit the palace in the summer if you want to experience a lively atmosphere with tourists gathering around the fountains and other spots.
If you want to avoid crowds and enjoy the potentially cheaper ticket and accommodation costs, you can visit during the winter months.
In winter, the first Sunday of each month offers free entry to the palace, and there are shorter lines.
However, some areas might have limited hours, and the fountains won’t be on.
However, if you are confused between both, you can visit during the shoulder seasons in spring (April – May) and early autumn (September – October).
These months offer a perfect balance of comfortable temperatures, fewer visitors and cheaper prices compared to the peak summer months.
Everything in the palace, including the fountains and gardens, is also open.
Finally, no matter when you plan to go, make sure to book your Palace of Versailles tickets online in advance.
By booking tickets in advance, you can avoid standing in long lines and save some money by taking advantage of discounted prices.
Weekdays vs Weekends: Best time to go to Versailles
The Palace of Versailles is quite crowded on weekends compared to weekdays because of the increased number of locals due to holidays.
Also, there are musical fountain shows and free first Sunday visits, which attract more visitors.
So, if you want to see the palace with fewer people around, you can opt for a weekday visit.
Additionally, Tuesdays are more crowded due to Monday’s palace closure. So, for fewer crowds, you must opt for a visit on Wednesday and Thursday.
Here is a list of the pros and cons of visiting Versailles in each season. You can take a glance and easily choose the best time to visit the Palace of Versailles for yourself!
| Season | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Summer (June-August) | Warm and sunny weather is ideal for exploring the gardens. Fountain shows operational (weekends only). Longer opening hours. | Peak tourist season with higher crowds and long lines. Higher prices for tickets and accommodation. Hot weather might be uncomfortable for some. |
| Fall (September-October) | Pleasant weather, comfortable for exploring both indoors and outdoors. Fewer crowds compared to summer. Beautiful fall foliage in the gardens | Some fountain shows might be limited or stopped. Shorter opening hours compared to summer. |
| Spring (April-May) | Pleasant weather with blooming flowers in the gardens. Fewer crowds compared to summer. Comfortable temperatures for walking. | Unpredictable weather with occasional rain showers is possible. Fountain shows might not be operational yet. |
| Winter (December-March) | Lowest crowds and potentially lower prices for tickets and accommodation. Free entry to the palace on the first Sunday of each month (except for the gardens). Stunning scenic view of the palace with a wintery backdrop (rare snowfall possible). | Some areas might be closed due to weather. Shorter opening hours Sometimes, temperatures may not be ideal for outdoor exploration. The fountain shows will not be operational. |
Tip: The Palace of Versailles is generally open from 9 am to 6.30 pm, but the palace’s and other areas’ opening hours can vary depending on the month of the year.
So, make sure to check the palace’s opening hours in advance before visiting.
How long does it take to visit the Palace of Versailles?
The Palace of Versailles covers an area of 63,000 square meters, and visitors typically take 1.5 to 2 hours to visit the Palace of Versailles.
If you’re short on time, you can cover the palace’s highlights, including the main rooms, in about 1.5 hours.
However, to truly experience the palace’s grandeur and see the exhibitions, parks, gardens and fountains there, you will need 2-3 hours or more.
The palace has a large area with many royal things to explore and no time restrictions.
So, once you reach the palace on time, you can stay there for as long as you want and see the palace based on your pace and interest!
Also, after seeing the palaces, you can find a bunch of things to do near the Palace of Versailles to make the most of your visit.
How to avoid crowds at the Palace of Versailles?
Here are some of the best ways to visit the Palace of Versailles without crowds:
Plan in Advance: Plan your trip in advance and opt for low or shoulder seasons in spring (April-May) and early autumn (September-October), which attract fewer visitors.
Purchase tickets online: Skip the ticket office lines by purchasing your Versailles tickets online in advance. This saves time and helps you avoid the crowded lines at the entrance.
Visit on weekdays: Weekends, especially Saturdays and Sundays, are the busiest days at the palace, so opt for a weekday visit, preferably Wednesday or Thursday.
Arrive later in the day: The palace opens at 9 am, and crowds tend to build throughout the day. So, aim to visit later in the afternoon, after 4 pm, when most tourists have left.
Explore the gardens first: The gardens at Versailles are large and free to enter year-round except on certain days.
Most visitors entering the palace head directly inside, which can lead to potential crowds, so it’s recommended that you visit the gardens first and the palace later.
Consider a Guided Tour: While a guided tour of the Palace of Versailles can be a bit more expensive, the tour guides have the best tips for avoiding and navigating through the crowds.
Do you know the Palace of Versailles is just 44 km away from Paris? So, if you are exploring the palace, you can also enjoy a day trip from Paris to Versailles.
Weather in Versailles
The weather in Versailles is pleasant year-round, with distinct seasons.
The summer months (June to August) are warm and sunny, with average temperatures between 18°C and 28°C. July is typically the hottest month.
Winters (December to February) are mild, with temperatures ranging from 3°C to 7°C. October is the wettest month, with an average of 80 mm of rain.
The shoulder seasons (April-May and September-October) offer comfortable weather with average temperatures between 10°C and 17°C.
You can take a glance at month-on-month climate change in Versailles here:
| Month | High Temp (°C) | Low Temp (°C) | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 5°C (41°F) | 1°C (34°F) | 14-70 mm |
| Feb | 8°C (46°F) | 1°C (34°F) | 14-50 mm |
| Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 4°C (39°F) | 15-70 mm |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 5°C (41°F) | 12-50 mm |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 9°C (48°F) | 12-60 mm |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 11°C (52°F) | 12-70 mm |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 14°C (57°F) | 11-70 mm |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 13°C (55°F) | 11-40 mm |
| Sep | 20°C (68°F) | 11°C (52°F) | 12-50 mm |
| Oct | 15°C (59°F) | 9°C (48°F) | 14-80 mm |
| Nov | 9°C (48°F) | 4°C (39°F) | 17-60 mm |
| Dec | 6°C (43°F) | 3°C (37°F) | 16-60 mm |
Contents
FAQs
1. What is the busiest day at Versailles?
The busiest days at Versailles are typically weekends, especially Saturdays and Sundays.
Additionally, Tuesdays can be quite crowded due to the palace’s closure on Mondays.
2. How long do you spend in the Palace of Versailles?
Visitors typically take 1.5 to 2 hours to visit the main areas of the Palace of Versailles.
However, to fully experience the palace, including the exhibitions, parks, gardens, and fountains, you will need 2-3 hours or more based on your pace and interest.
3. What is the high season at Versailles?
The high season at Versailles is during the peak summer months from April to October when the palace sees the most visitors.
4. Is Versailles always crowded?
Versailles is not always crowded. Crowds are heaviest during the high season (April to October), on weekends or during special shows/ events.
Visiting the Place of Versailles in low / shoulder season is best to avoid crowds.
5. What days to avoid Versailles?
To avoid crowds, it’s best to avoid visiting Versailles on weekends, particularly Saturdays and Sundays, especially the first Sunday with a free visit.
Tuesdays are also more crowded because the palace is closed on Mondays.
6. Is 4 hours enough for Versailles?
Yes, four hours is generally enough time to see the main attractions of the Palace of Versailles, including the main rooms, exhibitions, parks, gardens, and fountains.
This allows for a thorough visit without feeling too rushed.
7. Is it better to visit Versailles in the morning or afternoon?
It is better to visit Versailles in the afternoon, after 3 p.m. By then, most of the group tours and visitors have left, making it quieter and more enjoyable for exploration.
8. What is the best day of the week for Versailles?
The best days of the week to visit Versailles are Wednesday to Friday. These days are generally less crowded compared to weekends and the day after the palace’s closure (Tuesday)
9. How to avoid lines at Versailles?
Book your tickets online in advance to avail direct entry without standing in long lines. This will save you time and help you avoid the crowded lines at the entrance.
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Featured Image: CNN.com